WORK OF THE SOCIETIES OF OTHER STATES. 285 



better in Europe. It comprises, say 3,500 volumes, many of them rare and 

 costly. I do not think of anything that can be called special work, unless it 

 is the publication of a history of the first fifty years of the Society, on which I 

 have been engaged for a good while, and which is now in the hands of the printer. 

 Vie have nine hundred members; do not occupy space in State Capitol; have 

 been organized since March, 1829. In regard to the present condition of the 

 Society, it is very much the same as that of individuals ; we feel the pressure of 

 the times in a lessening of our income, necessitating a reduction of the premium 

 list, but notwithstanding this, the exhibitions have been kept up in a manner 

 which evinces a gratifying interest in the Society as well as a love for horti- 

 culture on the part of the members." 



WESTERN" NEW YORK HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Secretary P. C. Reynolds of the Western iS'ew York Horticultural Society 

 gives the following reply to the list of questions : 



Our society is now twenty-four years of age. It receives no State aid, and 

 has a membership of about two hundred. Our work is carried on by means 

 of standing and special committees and discussions at the annual meeting ; 

 and the society is under the direction of officers elected annually. 



We have no special work now in hand. Our society is appreciated by the 

 horticulturists of the world because of the experience and intelligence of many 

 of its members, but the appreciation is only manifested by reading its pro- 

 ceedings and less than two hundred paying annual fees of one dollar. 



The present condition of the society is about as prosperous as it has been 

 at any time since its organization. It does its work by meeting in annual 

 convention of two or three days, on which occasions scarcely enough money is 

 raised to pay for printing its circulars and proceedings cheaply. 



This society has a wide reputation and its discussions are quoted everywhere 

 in horticultural circles. It has done much in giving Western Xew York its 

 preeminent position as a fruit-growing region and a center for the distribution 

 of uurserv stock. 



N"EW JERSEY STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The New Jersey Society is young, only having been organized since 1875. 

 It holds annual meetings; issues volumes of proceedings; has no State aid 

 and occupies no place in the State House. Its work, as yet, is confined to 

 the dissemination of information through the annual meetings for discussion. 

 The Secretary, Mr. E. Williams, of Montclair, is a practical horticulturist of 

 reputation, and in the proceedings of the society such men as Dr. Thurber, P. 

 T. Quinn, and Wm. Parry, noted everywhere in the United States for their 

 practical knowledge of horticulture, figure quite largely. 



