282 STATE P03I0L0GICAL SOCIETY. 



The fruit exhibit of 1877 "was well labeled in the main, so that any stranger 

 could pick out the divisions, and in most instances, the classes, but the 

 department of flowers, in order to be as well arranged, must come to the same 

 plan of having the entries of each class together. The uniform testimony of 

 fruit committees was that never was the work done so easily, and we can have 

 the same thing said by the floral committees next season, if we only insist upon 

 method. The exhibitors, many of them, have false ideas regarding this 

 matter, and desire their entire exhibit be together, but in such an arrangement 

 it is impossible for a committee to pick out the entries in each class and make 

 the proper comparison, and as a consequence justice in such an arrangement 

 cannot be done. 



"We are making rapid progress in the right direction, and soon all i)rejudice 

 will be overcome, and education ami justice will prevail over a desire to 

 advertise. 



As far as I know there is general good feeling over the result of the 

 exposition. Tlie flower men would like a larger proportion of the premiums, 

 but on the other hand the nurserymen, who are really upon the same plane 

 with the professional florists, exhibit their stock with only recommendations 

 from committees as their iiremiums, and the aim of the Society is to give these 

 people all an opportunity to exhibit the character of their productions to those 

 who appreciate them, and give intelligence as to where to purchase what is 

 needed. 



DIPLOMA OF THE SOCIETY. 



A number of awards were made by giving the diploma of the society. This is 

 considered by the Executive Committee as the highest award that can be given, 

 and is only employed as a ])remium upon the most worthy entries. 



Tlic new diploma, which will soon be issued, will be a valuable acquisition to 

 any one from its intrinsic beauty. It is in the hands of the Calvert company 

 of Detroit, and probably by this date is nearly complete. 



REPORT OF 1877. 



Since February last at intervals, I have been at work on the preparation of 

 our Annual Ile])ort for 1877, and have been furnishing copy to the State Prin- 

 ter, so that at this date the volume is in print as far as the proceedings of this 

 meeting, and it will bo issued if there is no preventing circumstance, of which 

 I have no knowledge, about February first, and will contain some valuable 

 scientific and practical articles prepared expressly for it, aside from the regular 

 proceedings of our meetings, the reports of local societies and Secretary's 

 Portfolio. 



DISTRIBUTION OF REPORT FOR 1S76. 



The volume for 187G, was as evenly distributed, according to the law, as I 

 could manage it. 



The boxes were sent mostly to our vice presidents and the ofllcers of the 

 State Agricultural Society, and there remains in our liands 1,200 volumes, yet 

 to be distributed, 500 of which should be disbursed singly, as parties call for 

 them, 300 should remain in our hands if we have any place to put them, and 

 the remaining 400 will be sent out in boxes, when tliere are farther calls. 



I think it is well to hold on to quite a proportion of volumes to be called for, 

 then they \ull certainly go where they are most needed and will bo appreciated. 

 Our volumes are valuable, and we cannot afford to have them wasted. My own 



