24 STATE HORTICULTURAL. SOCIETY. 



affiliation between the division and the horticulturists of the country at 

 large. To the desired end, the division (and, indeed the entire agricultu- 

 ral department, as well) offers, in the forms of bulletins, lectures by its 

 experts, distributions of seeds, plants, etc., such added inducements as may 

 suffice to insure the permanency of such local organizations. At a recent 

 informal meeting of several members of the executive board of this society 

 this subject was fully considered and the conviction unanimously 

 expressed that, with these increased inducements, the society will do well 

 to revive its former system of auxiliaries. With these remarks I leave 

 this subject, hoping for the privilege of presenting it at large in a 

 separate paper. 



The attention of the society has heretofore been called to the need of 

 horticultural influence and information in the upper peninsula, as well as in 

 the newer counties of the lower peninsula. I again venture the recommen- 

 dation that this subject be given careful consideration, and further suggest 

 that it be referred to a special committee, with instructions to offer such 

 surplus volumes as may remain on hand to such local agricultural societies, 

 granges, or similar organizations, in counties in which there shall be no 

 existing horticultural or pomological society, as will engage to offer the 

 same as premiums for exhibits of a horticultural character, and to report 

 to this society of the awards actually made, with the address of the person 

 to whom awarded. 



The exhibits heretofore made under the auspices of other societies, with 

 the accompanying rules and regulations, have proved an efficient means of 

 horticultural education to both observers and exhibitors. In the absence 

 of these, there is an apparent retrograde tendency. It therefore becomes 

 an important question how the needs of exhibitors and of the mass of fruit- 

 growers, in this direction, can best be provided for. In many existing 

 horticultural societies, very considerable exhibits of fruits are made at 

 their winter meetings, with apparently an increase of attendance and 

 interest to say nothing of the educational effect. In many cases, volunteer 

 or special premiums are offered by business men as a matter of 

 advertisement. 



The opening of the Columbian Exposition, at Chicago, in the spring of 

 1893, calls for possibly important action by this society at this meeting; 

 but, owing to the yet incomplete organization of the horticultural depart- 

 ment of the exposition, and the lack of information upon the purposes of 

 our state commission in the matter of a horticultural exhibit, it seems 

 more proper to await explanation, by persons in authority, who may be 

 expected to be in attendance here. Intimations already put forth, 

 that all work in the preparation of a Michigan horticultural exhibit must 

 be gratuitous, is but ill culculated to develop energy or enthusiasm, inas- 

 much as there will be very few if any circumstances, especially in the 

 department of pomology, in which there can be even a hope that personal 

 expense or effort can be made to inure to the individual. 



A committee, Messrs. C. J. Monboe, C. A. Sessions, and Jas. F. Tay- 

 lok, were appointed to consider the message and report upon it. 

 The secretary presented his annual report, as follows: 



To the Michigan State Horticultural Society: 



The past year has not been one of great activity on the part of the 

 society, only one meeting having been held since the annual gathering of 



