TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING. 47 



respond to the circulars of inquiry which may from time to time be sent out for the 

 division. 



The department, as far as practicable — 



Makes free distribution of bulletins and other publications of the division of pom- 

 ology as well as those of other and kindred divisions, upon the basis of lists of members 

 furnished; 



Invites the sending of specimens of new varieties for estimates of probable value, of 

 unrecognized varieties for identification, and of known varieties from localities in which 

 they are specially successful, for examination and description. On application, mailing 

 boxes and franks will be sent for such purposes; 



Distributes, at certain times, a limited supply of seeds, scions, or plants of imported 

 or little known fruits, and these are placed for testing in localities where they are likely 

 to receive proper care and suitable conditions of climate and soil. 



The proposed co-operation will be greatly aided if the regular meetings of the 

 societies of adjacent states are so timed that they do not occur on the same dates. 

 This will make possible in some cases the attendance of a representative of the depart- 

 ment at a series of state meetings, and it is suggested that the executive boards of state 

 societies consider this when arranging for the dates of their annual meetings. 



Very respectfully, 



Edwin Willits, Assistant Secretary. 



The propriety and even necessity of the first suggestion will appear 

 from the fact that, if lists come from mere local organizations, there will 

 be increased liability to duplication of names, to say nothing <>f increased 

 liability by the many to neglect the timely making of needful reports; 

 while a statement of individual specialties will enable the division to 

 determine what class of matter will probably prove most desirable to each 

 person. A prominent object of the division must naturally be to build up 

 and strengthen the various organizations through which it shall operate. 

 To this end, as will readily appear, a greatly increased inducement to a 

 large and continuous membership will be afforded, since to be a member 

 insures the appearance of the name, address, and specialty upon the lists 

 of the division, with the consequent participation in the distribution of its 

 bulletins, etc. The propriety of this suggestion will become still more 

 obvious from the fact that horticulture has come to be practically so com- 

 plicated or interwoven with botany, entomology, mycology, vegetable 

 Pathology, and several other divisions of the already extensive and com- 

 plex department of agriculture, that there is, as doubtless there should be, 

 the fullest sympathy and cooperation between them, so that the bulletins 

 and other publications of these divisions may be readily obtained and 

 freely distributed through the division of pomology. 



The reasonableness of the third suggestion only need be 

 stated to be appreciated, since the abilities of individuals may 

 be so much more readily and fully comprehended upon a personal 

 acquaintance, than upon reports from a distance. The statements of the 

 customary practice of the division, contained in the last four parapraphs 

 of the circular, scarcely require explanation or amplification, though the 

 propriety of the last one may be enforced by a partial statement of actual 

 experience of last year. As agent of the division, I was directed to attend 

 the annual meetings of as many of the adjacent states as possible; but 

 inquiry developed the fact that the societies of Michigan, Indiana, Ken- 

 tucky, Missouri, and Minnesota held their annual meetings during the 

 same three days. Under these circumstances, the object was but imper- 

 fectly accomplished by passing from place to place on night trains and 

 attending a single session of the Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky 

 societies each on one of the three days. 



The importance of the invitation to forward specimens of fruit, etc., 



