Annual Meeting — Opening Address. 83 



of Messrs. Case, Anderson and myself were appointed with instruc- 

 tions to consider whether it would not be better to ask of our leg- 

 islature some action in regard to placing our society upon a some- 

 what different basis, and to report at this convention. We have 

 had little opportunity for a full consultation upon the subject, and 

 are unable to make a thorough report. Personally, I have given 

 the subject some attention, and am inclined to say, in a few words, 

 what seems to me to be at present advisable. I have examined the 

 reports of some of our neighboring states, and find that their horti- 

 cultural societies are much more generously cared for than ours. 

 For instance, the Michigan society receives .$2,500 per year; Illi- 

 nois, $2,000; Iowa, $1,000. In addition to this, their volumes are 

 nearly twice as large as ours. I do not believe that it can be truly 

 said that our state is unable, or unwilling to do as well by the Hor- 

 ticultural Society of this state as Iowa does by hers. After some 

 consideration, it seems to me that it would be well for us to ask of 

 our legislature to give us substantially what the Iowa legislature 

 has given that society, viz., an appropriation directly to our society 

 of one thousand dollars, and an enlargement of our volume to four 

 hundred pages, provided we should need it; then our society to 

 report directly to the governor. This would place us in an inde- 

 pendent position, and, as I believe, would enable us to largely ex- 

 tend our usefulness beyond what we can do at present. It would 

 not be necessary, nor do I think it desirable, that we should in any 

 manner dissolve our present friendly relations with the State Agri- 

 cultural Society. We can work together, as we do now, jointly, 

 where we can; separately, when it is necessary. We are very 

 much in need of more means. There are other things where 

 changes for the better can be made, but I will not take your time, 

 at present. 



Our last summer's convention was a decided success in every 

 respect; and I think that none of those who attended it would be 

 willing to have them discontinued. 



Gentlemen, I have already detained you longer than I at first 

 intended, and will bring these remarks to a close. Our work is a 

 noble one, and one worthy of our best Efforts. It is one in which, 

 if we are to be successful, we cannot take it up to-day, and lay it 

 aside to-morrow; but, once fairly undertaken, we must stand by it 

 through sunshine and through storm; and, if we do our work well, 



