132 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



meetings are poorly attended and spiritless. The main part of 

 the literary work at these meetings must be done by the members 

 of the State Society, and the number who can leave their home 

 work at this, their busy season, is so small, that, were the attend- 

 ance equally divided, there would not be enough to carry on the 

 exercises satisfactorily. Again, as has been remarked, the local 

 attendance is greatly influenced by the season. The farmers, who 

 are mainly the ones interested, are too busy with their crops to 

 go far from home, or, if near at hand, to spend much time, unless 

 the occasion is one of remarkable interest. Both the attendance 

 and the exhibits must be largely local, and are to be influenced 

 more by the attractions presented than in any other way. For 

 these reasons it would seem advisable to hold but one summer 

 meeting, and by a combined effort, by thorough preparation, to 

 make it as interesting and attractive as possible. He thought that 

 the influence of such a meeting would be more beneficial and lasting 

 than that of a number held in the usual way. It was the duty of 

 the State Society to encourage local societies, to aid in their for- 

 mation, and to help them in their work, but he believed this could 

 be done much better by fall and winter meetings, when the work 

 of the season was over. There are many pfaces in the state that 

 would be glad to hold meetings were it not for the labor and ex- 

 pense of the exhibition connected with them, and were the oflfer 

 made to hold meetings simply for reading of papers and the dis- 

 cussion of horticultural subjects wherever there was sufficient 

 interest felt to furnish a hall and bring out an audience, a much 

 larger number of meetings would be called for, and more good be 

 done, with much less labor and expense. What is now paid in 

 premiums for one meeting would cover the expense of three or 

 four of this kind. lie thought money expended in this way 

 would do much more to advance the horticultural interests of the 

 state than if paid out in premiums, and would favor using what 

 means we have in this way ; paying the expenses, and if necessary, 

 for the time of those who will prepare papers and help carry 

 them on. 



After a brief discussion in regard to the feasibility of this plan 

 and the proper time for holding the fall and winter meetings, the 



