Winter Mcciiiig. 231 



was recalled in 1873 and 74. Wm. Muir continued as Secretary four 

 3^ears longer, serving in all twelve years, from 1859 to 1871, and was 

 again recalled in 1875. For three years he was both Secretary and 

 Treasurer. J. C. Evans was President in 1876 and '77, having held tlo 

 previous office, and N. J. Colman followed for two years longer. 



Without going into the labors of these great men in greater detail, 

 I can truly say a careful persual of all the reports from 1868 to 1880, 

 will show an ever increasing interest in the work, a commendable im- 

 provement in all the departments of Horticulture, and a constant ful- 

 fillment of Secretary Muir's prophecy in 1863. These men were cer- 

 tainly "working out the great future of our State." 



They had, however, some troubles of their own. They began with 

 no money. The $1.00 from each member was their only income, and when 

 there was a deficit, a pro rata assessment was made upon each member. 

 Still the second Treasurer's report, made in 1867, shows a balance from 

 1866 of $74.80, and closes with a balance of $130.55. In January, 1868 

 there was a balance of $78.43, and in November, $66.00. In 1869 there 

 was no meeting, there having been two meetings in 1868. hence no 

 financial report. In 1870 the Treasurer reported a balance of $39-35' 

 but makes no mention of the last balance, $66.00. In 1871 no meeting. 

 In January, 1872, the Treasurer did not report the receipt of any balance 

 whatever, but closes his report with a balance of $668.10 oti hand. This 

 increase was due to the fact that the membership fee had been raised to 

 $2.00 and $750 had been received from a State appropriation of $1,000.00, 

 made in 1871. 



In 1873 the Treasurer reported a balance of $391.35, and stated 

 there is an outsanding warrant of $75.00, and a quarter's salary due the 

 Secretary, $50.00, which leaves $266.35. He then deducted the Secre-- 

 tary's salary for the whole of the ensuing year, and artlessly remarked; 

 "thus leaving at the ^-nd of the year, a balance unexpended, of $66.35." 

 Had he deducted the whole expense of that year, he could easily have: 

 wiped out the entire surplus. He surely was much interested' iu' the Sec-- 

 retary. 



Concerning this unique report. Treasurer Bush stated the next year, 

 1874, "I have never received a cent from my predecessor, and only $2.00 

 annual membership fees, including my own. The Legislature made no. 

 appropriation, and I could not, therefore, receive anything from the 

 State treasury." The financial statement of the Committee on Exhibition 

 of Fruits in the fall of 1872, showed a deficit of $299.85. They issued 

 certificates of indebtedness to all creditors, a popular kind of warran^ 

 f,rQm about. 1870 to 1875, but very unpopular in 1898. They then resolved. 



