ANNUAL WINTER MEETING. 69 



that the horticultural society of a state so far north and noted 

 for its severe climate, could have so much enterprise, push and 

 perseverance as a careful study of your history will show to 

 the most casual observer. I want furthermore to congratulate 

 you on the perfect harmony manifested at our meetings and in 

 private among our members. It is in unity that our strength 

 lies; I trust it may long continue. Our membership is on the 

 increase and we can boast a larger membership and better 

 meetings than similar societies in most of the great fruit grow- 

 ing states. 



FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



It is in these institutes that our best opportunities lie to do 

 the missionary work of recommending the proper varieties 

 of fruits to plant and the best method of caring for them. At 

 present the horticultural work with them is attracting much 

 attention, and I think that Supt. Gregg, whom we all highly 

 esteem, but whom we have never considered an enthusiastic 

 horticulturist, I think even he is of the opinion that in Mr. 

 Wm. Somerville, with his practical helpful fruit talks, he has 

 secured an attraction of intrinsic merit. I was much pleased 

 to hear recently that Supt. Gregg had found the interest so 

 great in the fruit talks that he had a half hour cut off from the 

 consideration of pork and had it devoted to fruit growing. 



LAST REPORT, VOL. XVII. 



The last report was much delayed in print. This was owing 

 principally to the fact that by reason of a strike of journeymen 

 printers in the spring, the state printers were crowded with 

 work all summer. On assuming the office of secretary I found 

 that there was a determination on the part of the state printing 

 commissioners to cut down our edition of reports. I was re- 

 ferred to the fact that there were numerous old reports in the 

 basement of the capitol building and that they did not want re- 

 ports printed that could not be used. I insisted upon the full 

 legal number and they were printed. After the reports were 

 printed it required a special hearing and urgent presentation of 

 our case before I secured the one thousand bindings which we 

 have received. This is a larger number than the state has fur 

 nished us for several years and is as many as I think was con- 

 templated by the law when it was passed. Another new fea- 

 ture in the report is its being printed with all the essays and 

 papers set in "solid" type and the discussions only "leaded," 



