FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT. G3 



secretary's report. 



We have had two reports, one that of the memorial fund, which is a 

 permanent fund, the income of which is available for our use, but the 

 board cannot touch it just the same as our Ljon fund. 



I Avant to call your attention to the fact that 51 life members are re- 

 corded up to December 1, since which time we have added 26 more, so 

 that it shows during this year 77 life members, which is the best record 

 ever made. 



Our annual membership is not so great, but you must take into con- 

 sideration the fact that a large part of our membership is contained in 

 auxiliary societies, so combining the life, the annual and the auxiliary 

 memberships we have a force of about 2,000 members. 



During the year I assisted in organizing four local societies, and also 

 addressed fourteen different societies. 



We have been receiving a grant from the State, but the Attoraey Gen- 

 eral has ruled that it was unconstitutional to in any way aid any organ- 

 ization that was not purely state — I suppose that means political — but 

 as we do not come under the head of politics, we are ruled out. But 

 my friends, I do not wish anyone to feel that the loss of that appropria- 

 tion amounts to anything. This loss of |1,000 simply means that we 

 must work a little harder. We are richer without the appropriation, 

 for the latent enthusiasm and energy that is now dormant to a consider- 

 able extent will be brought out and developed. These young men we 

 have on the stage mean far more than the appropriation could mean 

 without them, for we are rich in having such splendid material out of 

 which will come forth educated workers in love with agriculture, fruit- 

 growing, etc. This is most certain. 



Another matter I wish to speak of. It was decided at the executive 

 board meeting to issue a bulletin and in order to make that available 

 through the mails, we had to enter it as second class matter. It was 

 not the intention that it would in any way take the place of any journal 

 of horticulture — simply an organ of the society through which the mem- 

 bers can be communicated with, a place where interesting items can be 

 sent from your local societies, announcements made, etc. SuflScient ad- 

 vertising can be secured to pay the expense of printing, but we must 

 have a certain number of bona fide subscriptions before it can be entered 

 as second class matter at the postoffice. You see if a personal letter 

 should go to each of the members of the society it would cost |40 postage. 

 Now the matter is up to you. Do you want it at twenty-five cents a 

 year? Why, the matter of co-operation in buying and selling has not 

 been as great a success in some departments because of a lack of means 

 of communication between the members, but it is nevertheless a success, 

 and it has meant a great saving to the frait growers of Michigan. We 

 do not want to drop it, but if you do. you will see prices go back where 

 they formerly were. But whether you buy through the society or taka 

 the plan of co-operative buying, so lont:- as the present system' is rarni. 

 tained, the prices will be kept down to tiie lowest, and you get the be;;efit 

 of them. 



Mr. Morrell— I want to ask about that little publication. What is it 

 — how is it handled — how often published? 



Mr. Bassett — The publication is eight pages, issued once a month, and 



