52 TRANSACTIONS OP THE ILLINOIS 



derstand how much time and thought are required to properly 

 manage the affairs of the Society, hence their work is not always 

 appreciated. 



The Ad-interim Committees have also done good work for the 

 Society, and I do not think we can do a wiser thing than to en- 

 large the committee and extend the work into every county in 

 the State. 



The work of our experiment stations is such that only the 

 most intelligent, observing and painstaking men can fill the po- 

 sition of Director. And work as they must, without compen- 

 sation and largely without appreciation, I think we shall always 

 find such men to undertake it. 



Besides those enumerated above, we find in every portion of 

 the State men and women who are deeply interested in the 

 work, and ready to respond to every call of the Society. These 

 men and women are its life and hope, and it is a pleasure to 

 know that their number is increasing each year. 



RAILROAD COURTESIES. 



We appreciate and gratefully acknowledge the kindness of 

 the railroads which have taken into account the meagre means 

 we have with which to do so large a work, and granted us 

 passes, which have enabled the President, Secretary and others 

 to make valuable investigations at a nominal cost. 



We are under special obligations to the Wabash, Illinois 

 Central, Chicago & Northwestern, and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 

 Paul for courtesies extended. 



THE PRESS. 



We owe a debt of gratitude to the press of our State for their 

 many kind notices of our work, and especially to the agricul- 

 tural journals, who seem to thoroughly appreciate our work, 

 and understand the difficulties we are laboring under. Through 

 their cordial co-operation, we are able to make public any facts 

 or notices that we may desire. 



THE SECRETARY'S WORK. 



When the work of the Secretary's office begins to decline, we 

 will know that we are retrogating, but at present we seem to be 

 in no danger of such a misfortune. The determined effort that 

 was made to secure our appropriation, added to the work of all 

 the officers, but especially to the Secretary's. 



Our Arbor Day work brought a large correspondence, includ- 

 ing many enquiries as to lists of trees for special purposes, 

 methods of planting and caring for them, as well as for a de- 

 mand for our circulars (although a large number were printed) 

 that greatly exceeded the supply. The number of specimens of 



