174 STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



logue in 1884. Early in the year the Board set aside $100, to bo drawn upon 

 by the Secretary at will, for the purpose of prosecuting local society work, 

 $45 of which has been used. 



Branch Societies. 



Several auxiliary societies have been formed during the year, and are flour- 

 ishing. More compliments have come to our society, in consideration of this 

 united work, by all horticultural organizations in the State, than for anything 

 else we have ever done. 



I confess to becoming discouraged occasionally in connection with this work, 

 because of the difficulty of enlisting a few persons in each locality who will 

 shoulder the burdens and push along with the work, independent of any stimu- 

 lus from the State Secretary. The State Society can take the responsibility of 

 starting societies out, and keeping them acquainted with its own work, giving 

 them a place for their transactions; but inasmucli as the services of the offi- 

 cers are very largely voluntary, it is impossible to act as a special float for each 

 branch. My own impression is that the fault in the organization of local 

 societies lies in the fact that so few ladies and young people are made inter- 

 ested in the work. Horticulture, in its broadest sense, should be the Held of 

 these organizations, and horticulture has to do with every inmate of the home, 

 from the youngest to the oldest member. There are so many societies now in 

 the interests of various undertakings that horticulture is apt to bo neglected, 

 but I find it true, that to those who are building houses, no topic proves more 

 entertaining than methods to be pursued in rendering the home more attrac- 

 tive. 



In any town in tiiis State it would be profitable to have a horticultural 

 society that should meet and discuss gardening, tree planting, green-housery, 

 house building, etc., etc., at least four times in each year. The society should 

 not be confined to a few people that are making a living by growing fruits, but 

 should include any one interested in making homes attractive, and bringing 

 about them the luxuries that horticulture affords. I hope that the coming 

 year many others will be added to those we now have. 



Tlie State Fair. 



The State fair this season was a great success in all its departments in our 

 charge — we never had, taken altogether, so excellent a show. The success in 

 this unfruitful year was largely due to the public spirit manifested by the 

 florists and amateurs interested in the growing of plants. 



Our liejjorts. 



It is a rubject for congratulation that our volumes are so well spoken of 

 everywhere. More complimentary notices and letters were received by mo this 

 year mentioning our 18S1 report than during any year sinco I have been con- 

 nected with the society. But as the years go by, it is more and more difficult 

 to arrange programmes for our meetings, and select matter for the reports 

 that shall bo bright, sparkling, and interesting. It requires more thought 

 and more time for the secretary to so build up a volume tliat it shall deserve 

 the best notices of the press, and the best words from leading horticulturists. 

 Still our aim should bo nothing short of this. 



As a result of our work the number of inquiries after locations in our State 

 for the building up of homes by people who have horticultural tastes is con- 

 stantly increasing; and to so advertise our capabilities and peculair climatic 



