STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1< 



While this commercial view of the matter was all right then, 

 and is nou\ to a certain extent, would it not he well to give more 

 consideration to the needs of the family orchard and fruit garden? 



True, in many jtlaces the markets furnish a large sujtply of fruits 

 in their season, hut the farmer needs his fruit supply at home, where 

 it can he had for the gathering, when wanted. Not to he considered 

 a luxury hut a necessary part of the daily fare, in its season. 



There are many other suhjects that I might call your attention 

 to, among others, the great destruction of our orchards in the north- 

 ern half of the state, and the couseiiuent discouragement of most of 

 the planters. But 1 will not detain you, merely saying, as we pass, 

 that I have strong faith that we, even in the northern portion of the 

 state, will yet grow apples for our own supply, and that those who 

 plant nou\ will l)e likely to reap a fair reward. 



As a Society we have not been called to part with any of our 

 active members during the past year, though many of them are pass- 

 ing into the " sere and yellow leaf " of life. 



This should remind us that we should make special efforts to in- 

 terest the younger members of our community in this work, prepar- 

 ing them, not only to take our places, but to do far better than we 

 have done. 



Sincerely hoping that, as they have had the ])ioneer work done 

 for them, they may receive and realize more of the pleasure and 

 jirofits of Horticulture than we have done. 



On motion of C. N. Dennis, E. A. Riehl and Milo Barnard were 

 appointed a Committee on the President's Address. 



SEORKTARY'S REPORT. 



The Secretary presented the following report, which was, on 

 motion, referred to the Executive Board: 



Mr. President and Fellow Members: 



T will not occui)y valuable time by giving in detail the routine 

 work of the Secretary's office, but only say that it is constantly in- 

 creasing, and that the work of corresjxuulence aiul gathering and 

 disseminating information on some of the many (juestions that in- 

 terest fruit-growers has beeii greater than ever before. But on the 

 whole it has been a ])leasant work, and I only regret that I have not 

 been able to accomjilish more and In'ing at least five hundred mem- 

 bers into this meeting. 



Tt is to be regretted that our membership, anil conse(|uently the 

 distriijution of our reports, is contiiu'd to less than half the counties 

 in the State. In these benighted counties we find no Horticultural 

 societies, and very few. if anj'. Farmers' clubs. We -dso find tli;it 



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