STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 49 



I congratulate the Society on its increased facilities for doing 

 good, and extending the work to new fields of investigation. 

 The outlook is much brighter than it was a year ago, and we 

 should go forward in the work of making our Society a power in 

 its influence for doing good in the State. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Pearson — I move to refer the report of the President to a 

 special committee. I do not want it to go to the Executive Com- 

 mittee. 



Motion carried. President appointed Prof. W. H. Ragan, of 

 Indiana, Mr. S. W. E. Cook of Lacon, and Mr. E. R. Humph- 

 rey, of Qumcy. 



President Dunlap — It is understood that this committee will 

 report to the Association either to-day or to-morrow. 



SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



BY A. C. HAMMOND, WARSAW. 



Our last volume of Transactions, No. 22, was completed and 

 sent to those entitled to it on the 11th of February, about the 

 same date as last year. This prompt publication is very gratify- 

 ing to our readers and when compared with our neighbors, not 

 one of whom complete their report before July and some of them 

 not until September, is creditable to the management and energy 

 of the Executive Board. 



I have, during the season received many congratulatory letters 

 from officers of other societies, asking how it was possible to get 

 out so large and perfect a volume in so short a time. 



At the meeting of the Executive Board in Springfield, Jan. 15,, 

 1889, the necessity of doing something in the line Of horticul- 

 tural experiments was discussed, and although without available 

 means, it was decided to begin in a small way, hoping and believ- 

 ing that the Legislature would be made to see the importance of 

 the work and grant us a small amount of means to carry it on. 



Bills were, therefore, introduced by Senator Berry and Repre- 

 sentative Oglevee, appropriating $4,000 per annum to our Society 

 instead of $2,000 as heretofore. It was bitterly opposed in some 

 quarters, but by the persistent efforts of a few true friends, it 

 finally passed, and on the 17th of May received the signature of 

 the Governor. This bill provides that at least $1,000 shall be 

 expended annually in experimenting " in the growth, care and 

 development of the horticultural interests of the State." All 

 —5 



