EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. 23 



RELATIONS WITH THE STATE AGIIICULTUKA.L SOCIETY. 



In January last, at the annual session of the State Agricultural Society, in 

 Detroit, Mr. E. H. Scott was in attendance as a delegate from our executive 

 board, for the purpose of making the requisite reports on behalf of the so- 

 ciety, and effecting a renewal of the annual arrangement under which it has, 

 for many years past, conducted the horticultural department of the state 

 fair. 



On his arrival he was informed that the executive committe had already 

 considered the matter, and adopted resolutions, in the nature of an ulti- 

 matum, proposing to allow to the Horticultural Society the personal expenses 

 of two, or perhaps three, persons to take charge of the horticultural exhibit, 

 but making no allowance whatever for the much larger, and equally unavoid- 

 able, expenses which must necessarily accrue in the bringing together and 

 conducting of the exhibition. 



Further than this, it had been resolved that a superintendent, in general 



charge of the exhibit, should be appointed by the Agricultural Society, i n- 



■ stead of, as heretofore, entrusting the management to the Horticultural board. 



Mr. Scott not feeling warranted in deciding the matter then and there, 

 asked to be allowed to refer it to the Horticultural board, at its meeting to 

 be held in February, for final determination. 



On receiving his report, as proposed, the executive board determined not 

 to accept the proposition, regarding it as, if not intended to express lack of 

 confidence, at least indicating a purpose to evade a further continuance of 

 arrangements of this character. This conclusion was arrived at with much 

 regret, under the apprehension that the change in the management of this 

 department must, very probably, mean the lowering of the standard of horti- 

 culture in our state. 



This, to our apprehension, unfortunate action of the State Agricultural 

 Society, seems to render necessary a very general change in the society's mode 

 of operating, and calls for a more or less general and well consideied revision 

 of its plans. Committees were therefore appointed for such purpose and the 

 board adjourned. 



The society should, doubtless, avoid placing itself, in any unnecessary sense, 

 in antagonism to the State Agricultural Society, or in fact to any other 

 society. Kesults have long since demonstrated the economy as well as the 

 effectiveness of the combination so long in vogue, and the society's position 

 should ever be such as would render it easy to accept advances from any 

 eligible source, looking to the effecting or renewing of similar arrangements. 



The high position of Michigan, pomologically, is doubtless attributable to 

 the existence of such arrangements for many years past, aided by the 

 thoroughly effective regulations of this society for securing creditable and 

 correctly named exhibits. 



SECRETARY GARFIELD'S RESIGNATION. 



Early in the following season, this difficulty became vastly more serious, 

 consequent upon the failure of Secretary Garfield's health, and the consequent 

 necessity for his resignation of the position he has so long and so effectively 

 filled ; and that, too, under circumstances rendering its acceptance by the 

 board imperative. 



