226 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



LOCAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



WARSAW HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORTED BY B. WHITAKER, SECRETARY. 



This society has held its regular stated meetings during the year 

 1873, except that for August, which was omitted on account of the 

 extreme heat of the weather. Besides the regular meetings, several spe- 

 cial meetings were held in Hamilton. 



Special subjects for written essays are designated in a card, contain- 

 ing the programme for the monthly meetings during the year. These 

 subjects are arranged by a committee on programme, at the commence- 

 ment of the year ; the Secretary, in giving notice by postal cards through 

 the mail, of the time and place of the ensuing meeting, states the subject 

 for essay and discussion, so the members are advised of the subjects which 

 will come before the meeting. This, however, does not preclude other 

 business, or new questions being introduced. 



The proceedings of the society have been published regularly in the 

 Warsaw Bulletin, copies of which have been furnished to a number of 

 agricultural and horticultural papers, other societies, and distinguished 

 individuals. 



The plan of itinerating, by holding the meetings at the residences 

 of members, except in winter, has been found to be most approved, 

 besides affording an opportunity to members to see the orchards and 

 farms of others. 



Many interesting discussions have taken place in the meetings, 

 which, if they could have been printed at length, would afford profitable 

 reading ; but we have been limited for space for the essays and discus- 

 sions, hence have had to condense the statements and discussions in 

 almost every instance. 



Among the subjects which have been discussed in the meetings, the 

 following is a brief resume : Teaching agriculture and horticulture in our 

 public schools, an essay by Dr. Charles Hay, reviewing the subject his- 

 torically ; reviewing the former and present conditions ; European States, 

 especially Prussia and France, contrasting them with one another, and 

 with our own country, producing an irresistible conviction in the minds 

 of all who heard him, of the needs and necessities of moving in this 

 direction. Compulsory attendance of school was discussed in the same 

 connection ; it was conceded that it would be far better to be taxed for 

 books and stationery, than for jails and prisons to punish the youth 

 allowed to grow up in ignorance and crime. 



