570 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The active, working and ready officer of this society is expected to be the secretary. It 

 will be noticed that Secretary Thompson has managed the expenditures of his office with 

 much economy. The extensive correspondence of the office, the preparation of the annual 

 report and premium list, the appointment and details of the meetings, including the annual 

 fair, all involve expenditure for postage, stationery, telegrams, etc. The attendance at the 

 meetings and at the fair involve traveling expenses, hotel bills, express and freight bills for 

 exchanges on books and the transmission of illustrations and copy for the annual report. 

 All of these expenditures, included in the above report, only amount to 895. There is prob- 

 ably no society in the State that gets its work accomplished, and so much of it, at so cheap 

 a rate. 



It will also be noticed that the expenses of the Executive Committee have been but a 

 trifle, amounting to $30 50, the members of the committee choosing to pay their own bills, 

 thereby donating their time, services, and expenses to the Society. I paid in 1374 $42 16 

 for boxes for annual report of Secretary, and the work of boxing, at Lansing. As I 

 remarked in my report of 1878, this expense is one that could well be paid by the State. 



The expenses of the Orchard Committee for 1874 have been heavier than for any previous 

 year, amounting to about $100. The work of the committee has been more extended than 

 any previous year, reaching all parts of the State. The useful and beneficial character and 

 influence of this committee justifies all the expense, which was only for necessary travel and 

 railroad bills. 



It will be noticed that a small amount of old premiums for 1872 and 1873 have been paid. 

 Though these were barred, by the rule of the Society, it was deemed best to pay them, so 

 that it could be said that the Society paid all its premiums. It has ever been our aim to 

 pay every cent due exhibitors, though it will happen that occasionally one is overlooked in 

 adjusting premiums. In previous years exhibitors have in a few instances donated their 

 premiums ; at the fair of 1874 not one cent of premiums was donated, which'illustrates the 

 fact that fairs feel the financial stringency as well as any other business enterprise. 



In closing this report I cannot refrain from saying a word respecting the policy of the 

 State Agricultural Society toward this Society. That policy is growing more liberal, and 

 the fruits of it are seen in the quickened activity that pervades horticultural affairs through- 

 out the State. The State Agricultural Society can take a share of credit for the success of 

 our fairs, for the usefulness of our committees, and for the great interest manifested at our 

 meetings. That mother society is doing a great and good work in the aid which it gives 

 the younger and feebler Pomological Society. I sincerely hope that this aid and assistance 

 will be continued, and that the two societies will act in union and harmony together for 

 many prosperous years, to the great advancement of the best interests of Michigan Agri- 

 culture. 



HENRY SEYMOUR, Treasurer. 



Grand Rapids, January 1, 1875. 



