STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 285 



SECRETARY'S PORTFOLIO. 



DEFERRED PAPERS, REPORTS, APPENDIX, NOTES, EXTRACTS, 



ETC. 



Introductory Note by the Secretary. 



The following pages have been prepared for publication in ad- 

 dition to the transactions of the society, containing a number of 

 papers, extracts, suggestions, and information of more or less 

 interest, not properly belonging to the routine report. 



Owing to a press of other duties we have not had as much time 

 at our disposal as was desirable for the arrangement and prep- 

 aration of the subject matter of the present volume for publi- 

 cation. Our acknowledgments are due to those who have kindly 

 contributed to this department of the work. We regret that 

 lack of space precludes the giving place to several interesting 

 papers and other miscellaneous matter, of value and interest to 

 horticulturists, more particularly several contributions to the 

 reports of kindred societies in neighboring states; but these 

 volumes are within the reach of those who desire to obtain them. 

 To attempt to embody within the present volume any consider- 

 able portion of the discussions and interesting information to be 

 gleaned therefrom would be impracticable, however desirable 

 such an undertaking might seem to be. 



Horticulture is a science, the study and advancement of which 

 is well worthy of emulation; it has reference to the comfort, the 

 beauty and the refinement of home and its environments, con- 

 ducing to the promotion of the enjoyments, the pleasures, and 

 the real luxuries of civilized life. Of an aesthetic nature, it 

 promotes refinement in the family circle, as shown in the cultiva- 

 tion of beautiful plants and lovely flowers; tending to the adorn- 



