WINTER MEETING. ^25 



the horticultural societies mean business and do not mix work and play, but work first 

 and play afterward. We are never weary of urging that the horticultural societies of 

 this country should be placed on a practical basis like similar institutions in America. 

 If, for instance, flower shows will not succeed without bicycle races, greasy-pole con- 

 tests and foot-races, let them not be held at all ; if no practical results accrue from the 

 mode in which our horticultural societies are now conducted, by all means let us change 

 that mode. Mark how America is in advance of us in this direction. At the meetings 

 of the Michigan Horticultural Society, for example, the members do not confine them- 

 eelves to mere exhibitions, but they contribute papers on practical points, and by free 

 discussion they elicit the opinion of those most competent to give it. Here are the sub- 

 jects discussed at one of the meetings : Insects, and the way to circumvent them ; plum 

 culture, potato culture, timber protection, fruit improvement, etc. These subjects are 

 well and usefully handled, and the talk is not confined to a few chosen speakers, but 

 is taken part in by the members generally. Compare this with the shows of EngUsh 

 horticulturists, and the result is startling. On the one hand practical, useful and 

 instructive meetings ; on the other hand, wholly unprofitable and unpractical gather- 

 ings. Surely it is time that the practical horticulturists of this country had a voice in 

 this matter, and that whether by the creation of a pew society, the reorganization of 

 those now in existence, or by any other means, British horticulture should be placed on 

 a sound basis. One of these alternatives must be adopted sooner or later. The sooner 

 the better.' " 



In the matter of the improvement of the groijnds and buildings of country 

 school districts, some good results have certainly been effected, if only by dem- 

 onstrating the readiness with which the school may be interested in planting 

 and caring for trees, shrubs and even flowers upon the grounds. This must 

 almost necessarily be an improvement of slow growth; and important results 

 can scarcely be expected until those in charge of educational matters interest 

 themselves in the work, and especially until the teachers of the State shall 

 acquire the ability to lead and interest their pupils in at least the fundamental 

 principles of botany and horticulture. 



Landscape gardening and rural ornamentation generally have received a 

 good deal of attention from the society, with little apparent result. This, 

 however, is a subject demanding so much of judgment, taste and experience, 

 that probably it were better relegated to those disposed to qualify themselves 

 by a special course of study and practice. 



The labor of reducing the forest clad lands of our peninsula to the requisite 

 condition for agricultural purposes has begotten among our people the feeling 

 that forests are an obstacle in the way of improvement, while little thought 

 has been given to their benefits in the modifying of climate and the conserva- 

 tion of moisture. While the society has freely borne its testimony on the sub- 

 ject, it has had little if any influence in staying the hand of either the farmer 

 or lumberman in their persistent raid upon the forests of our State. A few 

 persons here and there have learned, too late, the results of such sweeping 

 destruction, and have commenced replanting as a remedy, with results of the 

 character desired, although such plantations are rare, and the benefits local 

 and as yet imperfect. 



The recent legislative enactments in favor of highway tree planting have 



doubtless been, at least in part, due to the efforts of the society, as was also 



the designation of our Arbor day; but there is yet great need to advance 



public opinion before we can hope to realize their full and legitimate effect. 



54 



