STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 49 



sacred duty to see that this appropriation is properly and honestly 

 used, where it will count the most. Education in horticulture is 

 the crying waut of the state. The most practical means for ac- 

 quiring such education is through horticultural literature and hor- 

 ticultural societies. In horticultural meetings the experienced and 

 practical, and those seeking information, are brought together. 

 The experienced lose nothing in imparting information to others, 

 the inexperienced gain much useful knowledge and are awakened 

 to increase it by the study of the literature and the conducting of 

 practical experiments. The time has arrived when there should be 

 a society in every county, and to start such we should lend every 

 aid in our power, and I recommend the setting apart of $200 for 

 the purpose of defraying the actual expenses of suitable persons to 

 go out among the people and lecture, and organize such societies, 

 to be paid after the work is done and approved by this society. 



I think it would also be well to adopt a system of society mem- 

 bership. The Indiana society admit members into their society 

 upon the presenting of a certificate of membership from their sec- 

 retary and the payment of fifty cents, and report that it is working 

 satisfactorily. We would thereby increase our own membership 

 and give such societies an interest in us. 



[ farther recommend that a little of your attention be given to 

 the subject of experimental stations. The Executive Committee 

 have appointed twelve superintendents of such stations. As the 

 work cannot be prosecuted without incurring some expense to the 

 superintendents, this meeting should see that some arrangements 

 are made to defray the expense of procuring seeds, scions, stocks to , 

 graft upon and postage and express, and charges for such of the 

 superintendents as will engage in the work. The amount neces- 

 would range from $10 to $25 for each station, until they are well 

 underway. We have a constitution and by-laws; most of our new 

 and some of our old members have never seen it. It would be well 

 to direct that it be published annually in our transactions as a con- 

 venience for reference and guide to our work. 

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