TWENTIETH ANNUAL MEETING. 33 



their efforts to horticulture, be placed upon a basis equivalent to that of 

 local societies, so far as the distribution of our transactions may be 

 concerned; also that county and other local agricultural societies be, in 

 some manner, enabled and encouraged to offer them, at their fairs, as 

 premiums upon horticultural exhibits. 



The society has heretofore proffered exchange of volumes to kindred 

 organizations in other states; but the practice seems to a considerable 

 extent to have fallen into disuse. Believing the practice to be a desirable 

 one in many respects, I have recently prejaared and sent out a circular, 

 inviting a continuance or a resumption of such practice. This action is 

 quite too recent to have secured responses generally, but those so far 

 received have been favorable. 



With the limited salary allowed our secretary, he is expected to devote 

 only a portion of his time to the society's matters. Doubtless for this 

 reason, at least in part, is due the circumstance of the very late appearance 

 of the volume of the transactions for 1889. The previous volumes have 

 usually been issued and distributed at a comparatively much earlier date; 

 and we' suggest that, whatever may prove to have been the cause of the 

 delay, measures be taken to insure their prompt issue in the future. The 

 occasion of such delay may be expected to appear from the secretary's 

 report. 



Upon the organization of the Detroit International Exposition, this 

 society was invited to frame the horticultural portion of its premium list, 

 and to assume entire charge of the collection, arranging and conducting of 

 such exhibit; which was done in a manner very satisfactory to both j)arties 

 concerned as well as apparently to the j)ublic. A similar combination oc- 

 curred at the exposition of this year; but the date fixed for the fair proved 

 quite too early for any save the very early fruits, leaving the staple 

 fruits of the state practically shut out from any but local exhibitions, and 

 precluding to a great extent the important educational features of such 

 exhibit, out of which, in a good degree, have grown the high reputation 

 of our state for the quality aitd correctness of its exhibitions. 



It would seem that neither the society nor the state can afford to aban- 

 don the vantage ground it has so long held, as, in some sense, a monitor in 

 pomology; and, Barnum like, assume the role of showman, as was, in large 

 measure, the case with the horticultural display of 1890, at the Detroit 

 Exposition, beautiful and extensive as it really was. 



In view of the circumstances stated I recommend that an expert com- 

 mittee be appointed at this meeting, charged with the duty of carefully 

 considering this whole subject, and devising means to remedy the difficul- 

 ties growing out of it, and instructed to report at the next meeting of the 

 society. 



The occurrence of the coming Columbian Exposition at Chicago, almost 

 at our doors, with the recognized standing of Michigan as a fruitgrowing 

 state, constitute weighty reasons why our society should move earnestly, 

 and at once, in the matter. There are very many important particulars to 

 develop and to properly prepare for which imperatively requires that 

 preparations be commenced with the opening of next spring; and this 

 requires that plans be matured and arrangements effected during the 

 leisure of the coming winter. 



It will doubtless be recognized as a necessity that a liberal appropria- 

 tion for the occasion be made by the incoming legislature. To insure that 

 horticulture shall receive due consideration in such enactments, an 



5 



