10 Third Annual Report 



the people by meeting them face to face. The result was that 

 they made arrangements with the railroad authorities in Iowa 

 to run a seed special. A train was made up of three or four cars 

 in which to travel about the state ; the matter was thoroughly 

 advertised and this train traversed the whole state ; they gave as 

 many as ten and twelve lectures a day ; sometimes there were 

 three lectures going on at the same time and in the majority of 

 cases the towns being small the lectures were given in the cars, 

 and I understand the average attendance at these lectures was 

 190 odd. It was a continuous performance all the way along; 

 now they are awaiting the result. 



This raised a question in my mind, whether I would not 

 have a right from this platform to try and offer a suggestion 

 in regard to the workings of this Society, which I think would 

 produce better results. You all know that next month the State 

 Dairymen's Association and the Vermont Sugar Makers will 

 hold a joint meeting in Burlington. The object of the Horticul- 

 tural, the Dairymen and Sugar Makers' Societies are identical. 

 Now I ask you why it wouldn't be better for you three to join 

 hands and hold your meetings together? I think if such an un- 

 derstanding was arrived at for the next year's meeting it would 

 be to the benefit of all three societies and the good of the State of 

 Vermont. Better results would be obtained, simply because you 

 would be able to have larger attendance — more people to hear 

 the good things said. You know there is a satisfaction in doing 

 business with a person when you can get in close touch with 

 him, get where you can ask each other questions. 



I wish you to take to yourselves what I have said for what 

 it is worth. I am not an agriculturist and not a horticulturist, 

 yet I am interested thoroughly in everything that pertains to the 

 welfare of the State of Vermont. I am a Vermontcr through 

 and through. I believe there is no body of men in the State of 

 Vermont that can do as much good and do more to build up 

 the State than the farmers, — because they are, strictly speaking, 

 — the people of Vermont. I thank you for your attention. 



RESPONSE BY THE PRESIDENT. 



I wish to convey to you, Mr. Mayor, and the people of Bur- 

 lington, the greeting of the Vermont State Horticultural Society 

 and thank you for the welcome you have extended to us. 



