90 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



AN APOLOGY FOR THE COMMISSION. 



Mr. Woodman: It is a mistaken idea that the whole of this work of the 

 pomological exhibit has been put into my hands; but I was asked to go 

 and see the South Haven people about canning fruit. I am here to learn 

 what has been done or can be done about the matter. The commission 

 understands that you gentlemen are to do this, and I am here as a repre- 

 sentative of the commission to learn what you propose to do and how you 

 mean to do it. Mr. Weston has said to me, "They have the $4,000, why 

 don't they go on and use it?" I am here to learn your wishes and inten- 

 tions, and will convey them to the commission at their meeting in Chicago 

 next week. The commission, in the beginning, thought they could get 

 everything done gratis, but soon found that everyone wanted pay. They 

 may not have been wise in all their measures. None of them are experi- 

 enced in such work, nor even in holding fairs. They set aside $10,000 for 

 agriculture, and $4,000 of this for horticulture. It is not too much, it is 

 not enough, for that, but there is not enough for the rest of the agricultural 

 exhibit. They have changed this somewhat, and seem well disposed t<d 

 correct errors. I think horticulture is better provided for than anything 

 else save mining and forestry. Ton made a splendid exhibit at the Cen- 

 tennial and yet had no money. Perhaps it would be better had there been 

 none now. We must all go into our pockets and help. Mr. Woodman 

 waxed eloquent over the grandeur of Michigan, which he pronounced the 

 garden of the world — and, as he had seen a deal of our globe, he deemed 

 himself qualified to judge of it — and continued: What is true of our state 

 otherwise is true also of her fruits, and this should be fully shown at the 

 fair. There have been too many committees and too little head. A man 

 of nerve and push is needed to superintend collection and forwarding of 

 this exhibit. Your president is one of the best experts in fruits in this 

 country. He should be in Chicago to care for the exhibit. He can not 

 run over the state, and should not be asked to do so. Select some good, 

 active, pushing man. 



Mr. Lyon: There is no feeling between Mr. Woodman and myself, but 

 there seems to be a question between Mr. Weston and me. He expressly 

 said I must not expend one dollar of the appropriation, and in this Mr. 

 Stevens concurred. But he now says, "They have the money, why don't 

 they use it?" Until Mr. Woodman came to me and reported this, I had 

 no assurance that any expenditure could be made from that fund. 



Mr. Woodman: I scarcely like to think there is an issue between Mr. 

 Weston and Mr. Lyon. Mr. Lyon's word is to be taken fully; but while 

 Mr. Weston may have said so he must have changed his mind or there is 

 a misunderstanding. 



