344 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The society continues its allegiance to the State society, and proposes to 

 acquiesce >Tith any arrangement the parent society may organize for the con- 

 tinued progress of the horticultural interests of the state. 



president's address. 



In conforming to the regular custom of presenting a formal address at the 

 annual meeting, I shall not follow any beaten pathway, neither shall I be 

 very dignified or systematic in my method; but rather shall chat familiarly, as 

 has been my custom from month to month, of some matters that seem to me 

 of importance in connection with our organization — jog your memories, as it 

 were, upon some things that in the multiplicity of cares you may have for- 

 gotten. 



We are pretty easy with regard to our annual fees. We do not wish to 

 keep any one away who does not feel able to contribute the small amount of 

 his share toward aiding the society machinery, and keeping it in good work- 

 ing order; but possibly we may have been lax in gathering what justly be- 

 longs to us. One thing is certain, we have no fund in the treasury, the 

 interest upon which will enrich our officer in charge, and we do not desire to 

 have more than we need for actual expenses. But experience has taught us 

 that we need to use about what a dollar a year from each family will aggre- 

 gate; and my suggestion is that this money be gathered at the opening of 

 the year. Possibly it might be a good scheme to give the secretary a per- 

 centage of the dues collected, in lieu of all other compensation, and thus 

 furnish an additional incentive to securing promptly the settlement of the 

 membershiii fees. 



The financial affairs of our society may be conducted in a very simple man- 

 ner, for there are not many transactions to be recorded. But because the 

 receipts are exceedingly limited, and the disbursements light, is no excuse for 

 a lack of method in management. AVould it not be well to have all money 

 received paid into the treasurer's hands, and give him no discretion in dis- 

 bursement, except upon written order of some authorized officer of the 

 society? In this manner the treasurer will, at the close of the year, hold 

 vouchers for every dollar he has paid out, and an auditing committee will 

 have little to do in settling for the year's transactions. 



Ic occurs to mo we have adopted the most sensible plan of holding meetings 

 yet devised for an organization of this kind, and I thing it will be continued. 

 There are ijiany fine thingsconnocted with the ownership of an attractive hall 

 in which to hold meetings and exhibits. It would be a very satisfactory con- 

 dition of affairs to have gathered sufficient funds to endow our society so that 

 it need not beg for memberships or "farm out" its meetings ; if we were rich, 

 had a fine hall of our own, a large income, and all the requisites for carrying 

 on the society upon a broad scale, we could not get more actual comfort out 

 of our monthly gatherings than we now do, and it is really a question whether 

 the net outcome would be so attractive as it is now, with our cares at mini- 

 mum, and no responsibility of property. We may not be able to have our 

 names in Brndstreet's reporter, but for those who are identified with the 

 society for the comfort there is in it, this sort of notoriety has no charms. 



I take it the mission of our society is to bring those who love the art of 

 horticulture near to each other, that they may enjoy the association without 

 adding to their responsibilities. We meet to have a good time and recreate 



