THE ANNUAL MEETING. 161 



EMBELLISHMENT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS. 



A practical attempt at the ornaiuentatiou of a few rural school grounds in 

 the State was begun last February, and through the kindly assistance of D. M. 

 Ferry & Co., of Detroit, and the genius of Will W. Tracy, the effort has 

 proved a success, a full account of whicii will be given in our volume for this 

 year. I trust the work will not be given up, for the success already attained 

 indicates the value of continuous endeavors in this direction. It seems to me 

 that a series of prizes might be arranged, if the society can see its way clear as 

 to funds, that would increase the interest in this important subject. 



BRANCH SOCIETIES. 



Not as much work has been done in the organization of branch societies this 

 year as we expected. If the oflBcers of the society and interested members 

 would do a little practical work in paving the way for such organizations, I am 

 certain this scheme of making the State Horticultural Society especially inter- 

 ested in the progress of localities, by organizing branches over the State, is a 

 very worthy one. Nothing we have ever done has awakened so favorable com- 

 ments from abroad as this plan of branch societies. Bat to insure success the 

 burden of building and maintaining these societies must be evenly shouldered 

 by the horticulturists of the State. 



STATE FAIR. 



More than usual exertion was employed to secure a creditable show at the an- 

 nual fair, and the result satisfied everybody. The use of one large flat table 

 for single plates ought, from its beautiful appearance, to satisfy the most ob- 

 durate that this method of displaying fruit is far superior to the stairs against 

 the wall. In my visit to the Kansas State Fair I learned how much behind 

 we are in making our products show to the best advantage. It seems to me 

 very proper that good taste should have "full swing" in a horticultural exhibit. 

 At the suggestion of our President I drew up a plan of special prizes for the 

 adornment of the inner walls of horticultural hall, which was intended to draw 

 out the special tact that so many have of arranging commonplace things to 

 produce excellent effects. But it was thought best by the State Agricultural 

 Society not to attempt its consummation this year. 



The officers of our society and our exhibitors were treated with great 

 courtesy by the State Agricultural Society during the week of the fair, and all 

 separated with the utmost good feeling. To be sure our hall was not very well 

 adapted to the purpose on account of the lack of sufficient light, but skylights 

 were inserted, and the inner walls whitewashed, so that the conditions were 

 modified for the better, wherever practicable, by Mr. Gilbert, chairman of the 

 business committee. If it is thought advisable to continue our annual exhibits 

 I would urge that methods be adopted by which every effort will be employed 

 to render our building attractive to visitors. Lessons in good taste may prove 

 as valuable as lessons in nomenclature. 



HISTORY OF MICHIGAN HORTICULTURE. 



Last year I undertook to gather facts connected with the early efforts in horti- 

 culture in our State, and was quite successful in awakening an interest in some 

 of the counties. But with our limited funds we must depend upon individual 

 enterprise in the different counties for the data. Although I have issued circu- 

 lars and written numbers of letters this season I have added very little to our 



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