Tbansactions at the Annual ^Iekting. 155 



meeting, fifty dollars were paid to eacli of the local societies where 

 the summer meetings were held, to be given, with a like amount 

 raised by the local societies, in premiums for fruits and flowers. 

 The traveling expenses of those taking part in the literary exer- 

 cises of the meetings were paid by the society. The total expend- 

 iture for the La Crosfe meeting was $130.70 ; that for the 

 Appleton meeting was $125.49. At the meeting held at Fond du 

 Lac, State Fair week, it was voted to send three delegates to the 

 Agricultural and Horticultural convention at Washington, called 

 by the Commissioner of Agriculture, and to appropriate $100 

 towards paying their expenses. That these expenditures have 

 been judiciously and economically made must be evident to all, 

 for in no ca?e has money been paid for the pecuniary advantage, 

 or the personal pleasure or gratification of any one, but simply to 

 lighten the burden of those who were giving their time and also 

 of their own means for the public good. 



There were other objects for which it had been expected a por- 

 tion of the funds of the society would have been paid out, which 

 •were deferred on account of our homeless condition. Soon after 

 the last annual meeting the state needed, and took posse?sion of 

 the room we had occupied in connection with the Academy 

 of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, Efforts were made to retain it, 

 but without avail. It must be evident to all that it is very 

 essential to the usefulness and prosperity of the society that it 

 should have a home, rooms for exhibition and convention pur- 

 poses, a place for its library and collections, and that by these 

 means it would be enabled to do much more to promote the horti- 

 cultural interests of the state. The states of Michigan and Illi- 

 nois, recognizing the importance of the work being accomplished 

 by their Agricultural and Horticultural Societies, have provided 

 and fitted up rooms well adapted to their wants. Iowa is intend- 

 ing to make similar provision for its societies, and our own state 

 should not and will not long be behind sister neighboring states 

 in fostering interests which will contribute so much to its pros- 

 perity. Cannot we secure prompt attention to this by a united, 

 earnest effort. The time seems to be favorable. Our present 

 need is a good argument and the benefit that would accrue to the 

 public should have much weight. 



