56 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



j)ering. We are enlarging our holdings and planting new orchards and 

 vineyards. 



We have always cultivated; we have always pruned; years ago we 

 began to spray effectively; but never liefore a season in which we Avere 

 so forcibly impressed with the necessity of THINNING of our fruit, 

 most critical period, probably, of its existence. For years the society has 

 been fostered by the State, receiving ye^nrly appropriations. Four years 

 ago our appropriatiou was cut off, and we were left on our own re 

 sources. Our only income to cover necessary expenses, being the annual 

 membership dues, and the income from the life-membership ])ayments. 

 with the little available from the Lyon Memorial Fund. 



This income has proven quite meagre and it has been a constant source 

 of Avorry to our secretary and the members of the Executive Board, how 

 our obligations were to be met. 



The Secretary's salary being at stake, it was he who evolved the 

 scheme of conducting our meetings, somewhat after the method followed 

 l>y our Horticultural brethren in New York. We have always held 

 '''Open Meetings." Everyone was encouraged to attend and enjoy our 

 meetings. Some joined our society and their dues helped to pay the ex- 

 penses of the meetings. Many did not join and these people were able to 

 derive as much benefit as did the members. ^Vith our small and pinched 

 income, this seemed hardly fair to the members. 



The two great horticultural societies of New York meet in Rochester 

 every winter. They have an attendance, often, of 1,500 or more, and 

 every one must provide himself with a membership badge before he is 

 admitted. The membersliip fee of one society is |1.00, and the other 

 12.00, but all who attend pay, and all are satisfied, and the society's 

 income is ample. 



We are beginning this innovation in our society meetings today. 

 We trust that no one will take offense. I hope this will mark the be- 

 ginning of a new and successful era for the Michigan Horticultural 

 Society. Ff our Executive Board have the financial Avorries eliminated 

 from their official duties, they will be much better able to furnish us 

 with a still better program. New York has proven the feasibility of 

 making Rochester, located in the center of the fruit region, the per- 

 manent place for holding her annual meetings. Will not Michigan soon 

 conclude that a permanent meeting place in a city, the center of her fruit 

 industry, be most desirable? I might mention the name of the cit}' — 

 Grand Rapids. 



During the past two years we have held two two-day ^'mid-winter 

 meetings." These have both been well attended and apparently success- 

 ful. Being held in a different section of the State from the place of the 

 annual metings, they have catered to an audience not reached before. 



The "Summer Meetings," held right out on the farms, at the homes of 

 members, seem to me to be tlie most valuable of all. Those attending, get 

 out among each other, on the farm and learn from it and from each 

 other. We are generally more at ease in such a place, than on a platform 

 or in front of one, and the information we get and object lessons stay by 

 us from having been illustrated. 



At the two-day session at Pontiac and Birmingham, last August, there 

 were 250 present at one session, and among them were representatives 



