Educational Influence of Local Horticultural Societies. 63 



coffee, tea, set the tables, placing on them what is brought in baskets, whether 

 it be much or little. The contents of baskets are distributed so that all tables, 

 and all parts of tables, are as evenly supplied as possible. No one is allowed 

 to set the contents of his or her basket before them. In fact, they have noth- 

 ing more to do with their baskets after delivery. When all is ready, which 

 is usually half-past twelve or one, all take seats, or stand up, as the case may 

 be. Divine blessing is offered up by some one, usually by a minister; then 

 begins the battle of knives and forks. In a reasonable time after dinner the 

 meeting is called to order by the President. The Secretary reads the report 

 of last meeting; then follow reports of special committees on orchards, small 

 fruits, ornithology, entomology, vegetables, botany, meteorology, and orna- 

 mental planting. These reports are called for in the order named. Discus- 

 sion follows each report, which brings out much valuable information, be- 

 sides enlivening the session exceedingly. Next comes the essay. After 

 being read and discussed we take up miscellaneous business, then adjourn, 

 " to meet at John Smith's first Wednesday of next month." 



The report of the meetings taken by our Secretary is published in the 

 Dayton Journal the mornings after the meetings, this being our official paper. 

 Other papers send reporters. Our Secretary corrects the proof before it 

 goes to press. After the daily Jjurnal has been printed the type is sent to 

 the job-room, is there placed in book form, and 300 copies are printed for 

 us, our Secretary tiking charge of each month s) printed After the De- 

 cember report is out all are taken to be bound in pamphlet form for free 

 distribution to all members and friends, thus preserving the reports of our 

 meetings for the entire year at little cost. Our Secretary receives f 1.50 for 

 his services each meeting, and we pay the printer $40 per year for printing 

 our reports and a small sum for binding. 



Nothing goes into our daily and weekly papers that is more generally 

 read than the reports of our society, thereby doing a vast amount of good to 

 the community at large. We are even aggressive, and at times have at- 

 tacked our city council for their neglect of duty to the public parks and 

 boulevards of the city, with good effect. We advise how to beautify our 

 public and private grounds, what and how to plant. 



In a moral sense our society is doing much good. Most of the members 

 are practical fruit, flower and vegetable growers. We have, however, as 

 members quite a number of professionals — ministers, lawyers, doctors, mer- 

 chants. All understand the dinner part oj our exercises. All are on an equality 

 in our society. Any one may become a member by the payment of $1 per 

 year. While this may seem to open the door for objectionable persons be- 

 coming members, this is not the case. If perchance one should get in, he 

 will not attend many meetings before he will find out that he is not in his 

 natural element, and will stay away. 



Horticultural societies conducted on the social plan, as the one I have 

 been trying to describe, are getting to be common in Ohio and other states. 

 It is no new thing now, but the time was when new societies looked upon 



