02 Americnn Horficulfnral Society. 



attended. The second year the attendance was not so good; the interest 

 began to weaken, and continued to do so until tiie end of the second year, 

 which came very near being its last. What to do to save us was the all-im- 

 portant question. It wa.s finally suggested that ladies were as n)uch inter- 

 e.sted in horticulture as gentlemen. Why not change our constitution so as 

 to make the wife a member, as well as the husband, without increased pay? 

 In other words, introduce a social feature by meeting at members' houses, 

 and bring wilii yon not only the wife, but the sons and daughters, also, and 

 a basket well tilled for a social dinner. This was done, and the ch mge was 

 marvelously successful, and we have so met every month in the year for the 

 last nineteen years, never having missed one meeting from first to last. All 

 Iv.ive been attended by from fifty to two hundred members and friends, fully 

 one-half being ladies. 



Our meetings in spring, summer and fall are held in the country, or 

 suburbs of the city. These meetings are usually on the lawn, under the 

 shade of trees, dinner being likewise so served; and in winter at members' 

 houses in or near the city. The summer meetings are usually attended by 

 from one hundred and liftj' to two hundred, young and old, of as happy peo- 

 ple as you ever saw. In the winter the meetings are attended by from fifty 

 to one hundred, usually bj' the older members of the society. We devote 

 the entire day in getting ready for and attending the meetings. They are 

 an intellectual holiday for us. We usually begin to collect together at ten 

 o'clock. On arrival, the baskets of good things are taken in cliarge by mem- 

 bers of the family. About noon all have come that are expected for dinner. 

 Some come after dinner without baskets. 



During the season of fruits, fl )wers and vegetables members l)ring to 

 the meetings such as he or she considers worthy of exhibition, altogether mak- 

 ing a display far superior to many county fairs. After the proper com- 

 mittees have passed judgment upon them they are usually donated to friends 

 in attendance, or can be taken home. 



At tirstit was considerable trouble to get sufficient quantities of dishes, 

 especially of knives, forks and spoons, for the large number in attendance. 

 O ir treasury being in good condition, we, many years ago, purchased suf- 

 ficient tableware, best Amercan whiteware, and triple-plated knives, forks 

 an I spoons, to cover tables and feed all who attend meetings. Parties where 

 meetings are held supply tables, cofTee, sugar and cream, and the prepired 

 fo )d to make up an excellent dinner is supplied from baskets brought there. 

 We also have a fifteen gallon cofTee-pot in which to make the cofl'ee. These 

 society dishes are, after being u.><ed, cleaned and packe<l in four large, covered 

 biskets, and the silverware in a tin box umler lock and key. AH are taken 

 charge of, and are conveyed from and brought to all places of meetings, by 

 a member of the society, and for which he receives a satisfactory compen- 

 sation. 



The lady of the house can, if she wishes to do so, enterUun company in 

 the parlor, as the lady members usually take charge of the kitchen, make 



