100 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



rarely availed itself of since it ceased its connection with state fair 

 exhibits. We have reference to the offerihg of premiums for articles to be 

 exhibited at its meetings. True, the objection of lack of funds must be 

 admitted to be a very forcible one; and yet, it may be urged with quite as 

 much force, such lack might and ought to be more than supplied from the 

 increase of memberships consequent thereon, while the society's sphere of 

 influence would doubtless be correspondingly enlarged. 



Several years since, the society for a time maintained what was known 

 as an orchard committee, charged with the duty of examining such 

 orchards, vineyards, gardens, and ornamental grounds as were entered for 

 award, which was generally the society's diploma. It can scarcely be 

 doubted that the effect was to very considerably increase the prestige of 

 the society as well as its general usefulness. 



After a time, however, owing partially to an almost chronic repetition 

 of entries and awards to the same objects, and also in part to withdrawal 

 of railroad transportation for the committee, the practice was abandoned 

 for the time. 



The period since elapsed has doubtless sufficed to obviate the former 

 objection; while it may be practicable to evade the latter by requiring 

 that, instead of examination by a committee, the entry be accompanied by 

 such treatment of location, soil, age, varieties, treatment, productiveness, 

 condition, and other important particulars as shall be deemed necessary to 

 a proper understanding of the condition, method of treatment, and gen- 

 eral value, upon which as a basis an award might be made, either by the 

 executive board or by a committee appointed for the purpose. 



Doubtless there may be other and even more effective means of over- 

 coming the disabilities under which the society labors, but surely none of 

 them lie in the direction of supineness and inaction. Whatever may be 

 thought of the foregoing suggestions, the fact is patent, at least to many 

 of us, that there are adverse influences covertly at work against the 

 society, and if it would effectively override such opposition it may do well 

 to recall the myth of the cartman who prayed loudly to Hercules to lift 

 his vehicle out of the rut, but was directed to first put side and shoulder to 

 the wheel and then call for help. 



Moral — Providence helps those who help themselves. 



treasurer's report. 



To the officers and members of the State Horticultural Society: 

 I herewith present my annual report: 



In the treasury, January 1, 1893 $59 10 



Received from branch societies lOi 80 



Interest on bonds and mortgages 126 00 



Annual memberships 19 00 



Eaton county society 12 00 



$320 90 



Paid seventeen checks aggregating $219 35 



Leaving a balance of 101 55 



$320 90 



Two hundred and six life members, $2,060, secured as follows: Seymour mortgage, 

 $1,000; Lytell mortgage, $300; Snell mortgage, $300; W. N. Cook mortgage, $350; U. S. 

 bonds, $100. Total, $2,050. 



S. M. PEARSALL, Treasurer. 



Grand Raj) ids, December 26, 1893. 



