STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



TUESDAY AFTERNOON. 



The president called the house to order at the appointed time, 

 and requested those having the music in charge to present the prom- 

 ised selection, which was done in a very pleasant and entertaining 

 manner. 



SECRETAKY'S REPORT. 

 BY A. C. HAMMOND, WAESAW. 



The past year has been one of peculiar discouragements to the 

 horticulturist, the winter being one of the coldest ever known, and 

 the summer's drouth the severest in the history of the country. 



Consequently fruit of all kinds, with the exception of grapes, 

 was nearly a failure. But I will not occupy your time by recount- 

 ing the failures of the year, but proceed at once to the consider- 

 ation of the special work of the secretary's office. 



Notwithstanding two or three vexatious delays our last report 

 was so far completed as to be mailed to members on the fourth of 

 March. This was probably as early as the book was ever sent out, 

 and considerably in advance of our neighbors — except Michigan — 

 but if there are no unexpected delays, such as waiting for copy or 

 illustrations, the forthcoming volume can be published at an ear- 

 lier date. 



At our last meeting a resolution was passed instructing the Ex- 

 ecutive Board to ask the Legislature for an appropriation of $4,000 

 per annum. At the January meeting the Board interviewed the 

 members of the Legislature, and found a very general expression of 

 willingness to grant the amount asked for. Two copies of a bill 

 asking for this sum wei-e therefore drawn up and placed in the hands 

 of Senator Hill, of Murphysboro, and Representative Day, of Jones- 

 boro, who kindly consented to introduce and take charge of them, 

 and President Riehl was instructed to use all honorable means to 

 secure its passage. 



About the 20th of February, Mr. Day informed the President 

 and myself that the bill had been made the special order for the 

 23rd by the Committee on Agriculture, and that he thought it 

 necessary for us to be present. We therefore went l)efore the Com- 

 mittee and made a statement of the work we are doing, how past 

 appropriations had been expended, also of the work we desired to do, 

 and could and would do, if this increased appropriation was granted. 

 After carefully discussing the question, and fully informing them- 

 selves in regard to the merits of the bill, they decided by a vote of 

 sixteen to one to recommend its passage. 



