STATE HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 431 



subject should be brought before our law makers. Fruit culture calls 

 for a more intelligent recognition by our legislatures. A liberal policy 

 in this direction would hasten, by many years, the development of the 

 fruit-growing interest, and save to the people of the state millions of 

 dollars which will be sent abroad for fruits which can be raised here. 

 Colorado possesses a greater variety of soil and climate than any other 

 state in the union, and her possibilities are not yet understood even 

 by our most ijitelligent people. Hence more light is what we need to 

 show our law makers the direction in which they can best promote 

 the interests of the people. 



In Georgia a state horticultural society was organized as early as 

 1858, which is still in existence with a large membership and governed 

 by a code of rules which have resulted in giving the greatest impetus 

 to fruit culture. It is stated that "Its annual sessions and exhibitions 

 are increasing in usefulness, and it is conceded that in no state has 

 such a variety of pomological products ever been brought together." 



In Illinois the state horticultural society was incorporated in 1857, 

 and reorganized by an enactment in 1874. 



It was largely through the influence of the leading spirits in this 

 society that the state provided for a state entomologist, and by liberal 

 appropriations secured the services of Walsh, LeBaron, Thomas, and 

 Forbes, specialists, who have added so largely to the general infor- 

 mation concerning the habits of injurious insects and means for their 

 destruction. No state has done more efficient work for horticulture 

 than Illinois in supporting the work in this field. The society took 

 the initiative step which finally resulted in the establishment by the 

 state of the industrial university, from which institution the horti- 

 culture of Illinois has received efficient aid. 



The societ}" in that state has a regular apportionment of |2,000 per 

 annum. The horticulturists of the state are awake to their interests 

 and are moving for a fully equipped and carefully managed experi- 

 mental station. 



In Indiana a state society was incorporated under a general act of 

 the assembly in 1875 and a place provided at the capitol for a museum 

 and library. Tbe annual appropriation is about $400. 



The Iowa legislature in 1872 passed a law with reference to the work 

 of the state horticultural society, making it the duty of the society to 

 encourage the formation of local societies in the interests of fruit- 

 growing and tree planting; providing for an annual report of the 

 secretary to be made to the governor; arranging for the publication 



