WINTER MEETING, 1S79. G7 



means needful for such purpose. Besides, no member of the board is ui\der- 

 stood to be in any proper or direct sense a representative of the horticulture 

 of the state, and hence qualiiied to^mark out and direct the processes neces- 

 sary for the proposed work; while, in obedience to the dictum of the state 

 constitution, the colle^^e is located in a region more than usually unfavorable 

 for the working out of some at least of the purposes indicated, though this 

 would not affect that i)ortion of the work lying away from the institution, 

 which would, however, take those charged with it away from duties at the 

 college. 



In consideration of these difficulties, we are able to conceive no more con- 

 venient or satisfactory mode of providing for these wants, than by the appoint- 

 ment of a representative of horticulture (which in Michigan is, and is likely 

 to be, mainly pomology), who shall be ex officio a member of the board of 

 agriculture, with an office at Lansing, and who shall be charged with the 

 various duties necessary to the development of horticultural interest in the 

 state, as well as a knowledge of the capacity of our soils and climate for such 

 pursuits. 



But we may be asked : Is it not unreasonable to propose that the state pro- 

 vide a commissioner of horticulture, while the more important interest, agri- 

 culture, is not so represented? AVe reply that agriculture is, beyond doubt, the 

 more prominent interest; but its needs are fully provided for, through the 

 board of agriculture, with the college and its corps of professors ; and while 

 conceding the propriety of this, we esteem it not merely reasonable, but the 

 dictate of the highest expediency, that in a state so especially adapted to the 

 pursuit of fruit culture, and in which so large an amount of capital is, and is 

 being invested in this business, this branch of agriculture should be accorded 

 at least a single member of the board, and one too who shall owe his selection 

 directly to that interest, and be capable of commanding its confidence, from 

 his personal identification with, or knowledge of its pursuits. It is proposed 

 that he shall be a member of the board of agriculture, for the reason that he 

 can in such case operate in the fullest harmony with both the board and the 

 college, as to any and all matters of common interest. 



But it maybe asked: Why should not his office be at the college? To 

 this we reply, that it is essential that he be accepted as the representative of 

 popular horticulture, and for that reason that he be readily accessible to all. 

 This at the college would not, and doubtless ought not to be practicable, since 

 it would too seriously interfere with the proper work of the institution, to say 

 nothing of its location remote from commercial access. 



Another reason why not horticulture alone, but agriculture especially, should 

 have a name, place and recognition at the capital of the state, and even within 

 the walls of the capital itself ; one commensarate with their importance, rela- 

 tively to other interests, is that this grand building — the creation of the 

 people's will — built with their money, is in an important sense the home of 

 the state — a place within which the visitor expects to see the interests by means 

 of which the commonwealth has been built up and enriched, adequately repre- 

 sented; and we submit that it must be but a sorry comment upon the degree 

 of appreciation with which the state regards these great interests, that it is 

 only by a special or occasional courtesy that they can properly be said to be 

 known or recognized here. It may indeed be said that the agriculture of the 

 state has a place at the college, and that it has not asked for space here; but 

 this, even if true, cannot in our estimation justify the propriety of ever per- 

 mitting its absence ; since it is an indispensable portion of the great mutability 



