476 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of the society. Two dollars ($2.00) is the fee of membership, which should be sent to 

 the secretary. This will secure all the privileges of the excursion, and a copy, free by 

 mail, of the proceedings of the meeting when published. As further and special induce- 

 ment, each new member will be furnished, free, a copy of volume II of the society's 



transactions, so long as the limited edition lasts. 



PARKER EARLE, President, 



W. H. Ragan, Secretary, Cobden, 111. 



Greencastle, Ind. 



The Secretary announced the organization of the Independent Forestry 

 Commission of Michigan, and outlined its work, saying that the law provid- 

 ing for this organization was an outcome of the work of our Society in that 

 direction, and was written and pushed through the Legislature by a promi- 

 nent member of our Society, Hon. N. A. Beecher of Genesee county. The 

 Secretary, speaking for the commission, invited the State Horticultural Society 

 to meet with it in joint convention some time during the latter part of winter 

 at a place hereafter to be chosen. 



On motion the matter was referred to the Executive Board and subsequently, 

 by action of that body, the invitation was accepted. The following letter 

 and scheme were next presented : 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AORICULTURE, ) 

 DIVISION OF POMOLOGY, I 



Washington, D. C, Nov. 29, 1887. \ 



Chas. W. Garfield, Grand Rapids, Mich., Secretary State Horticultural Society : 



Enclosed is a schedule which has been prepared after much study of the printed regu- 

 lations regarding the horticultural meetings in the States named therein and after con- 

 siderable correspondence. It has been arranged with the idea of fixing upon a definite 

 and permanent plan, by which the various meetings may be held without confliction 

 -as to the time. 



You will see that the time arranged for the ' ' winter meeting " of your Society is the 

 first Tuesday after the second Monday in February. Do you know any reason why 

 your Society may not meet every year at this time ? A number of the States named 

 have already agreed to the arrangement so far as they are concerned. It is unfortunate, 

 and undesirable on the part of the fruit growers of Michigan and Indiana, that they 

 should both meet at the same time this year, and if such an arrangement as is proposed 

 in this schedule be carried into effect, it cannot occur again. 



If this plan meets with your approval, will you please present the matter to your 

 Society at its next meeting. This is simply an idea of mine for the promotion of the 

 pomological interests of the country, in affording an opportunity for members and 

 eminent scientists to meet with the different State horticultural societies. 



Yours Respectfully, 



H. E. VANDEMAN, 

 Pomologist. 



SCHEDULE FOR ANNUAL MEETINGS OF STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Ist Wednesday in December Michigan (annual meeting). 



Dakota. 



.Missouri. 



2nd " " " Ohio. 



