WORK OF THE SOCIETIES OF OTHER STATES. 



In carrying on the work of our society, and making suggestions and amend- 

 ments for its best interests, members of the Executive Committee have often 

 inquired, ''What are the horticultural societies of other States doing in these 

 matters?" Again in taking an account of what we seem to be accomplish- 

 ing, oftentimes we have been discouraged, because of the lack of appreciation 

 on the part of the people of the State, and have wondered if other State asso- 

 ciations devoted to horticulture had not the same serious difficulty. 



For the purpese of answering such questions as these and also presenting to 

 the patrons of our society information concerning the horticulture of other 

 States, the secretary sent the following letter to the secretaries of other State 

 horticultural societies witli whom he was in correspondence : 



Michigan" State Pomological Society, I 



Secretary's Office, Grand Rapids, Mich., Dec, 6th, 1879. \ 



My Dear Sir, — AVill you kindly send me quite a full reply to each of the 

 following questions at an early date? 



1. What is the wording of your society name? 



2. How is your society controlled? 



3. Do you have State aid? If so, how much? 



4. What is your method of work? 



5. What special work have you now on hand? 

 G. How large a membership have you? 



7. Do you have rooms in the State capitol? 



8. How long have 3^ou been organized? 



9. Is your Avork appreciated, and how? 



10. What is the present condition of your society? 



My object in addressing you this letter is to secure facts concerning the 

 work of other associations, to help us in our labors. If you can by answer- 

 ing me soon give the information desired I purpose using your letter in my 

 volume for 1879. Yours inquiringlv, 



CHAS. W. GARFIELD. 



Ten replies were received, the responses coming from the following States : 

 Massachusetts, Xew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, 

 Minnesota, Ohio, and Kansas. They embody information that will be inter- 

 esting and instructive to members of our society, and the secretary takes the 

 liberty of quoting liberally from them in the order named above. 



