The Canadian Horticulturist. 



6i 



A HINT TO HORTICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL 



SOCIETIES. 



|0 those who have given the subject due consider- 

 ation, it seems incredible that the Horticultural 

 Journal and the Annual Report of this Associa- 

 tion, when it contains so much useful information 

 to fruit growers, whether they be villagers having 

 their quarter acre lot, or orchardists having large 

 farms, should have such a limited circulation. 

 The membership, which is but little over 2,000, 

 should and may be increased in a few yeais to 

 ten times that number. 

 Upon a careful survey of the subject for the purpose of finding some way 

 of materially increasing our membership, it has been found that the means by 

 which it may be accomplished is already provided in the Agriculture and Arts 

 Act. 



The provisions of the Act relating to this subject are upon such broad and 

 liberal principles that the reader of the Act may well be astonished that every 

 township and horticultural society in the Province has not long ago become 

 affiliated with this Association. Sections 46, 47 and 48 provide for the organiz- 

 ation and maintenance of township and horticultural societies in a liberal 

 manner. It is quite evident, however, that the officers and members of these 

 societies have generally given no attention to the provisions of the Act relating 

 to the several purposes to which the money may be applied, and I here copy in 

 full Section 37, so as to give its provisions prominence : 



" 37 — (i) The objects of the said societies and of the township societies in 

 connection therewith, shall be to encourage improvement in agriculture, horti- 

 culture, manufacture and the useful arts." 



" (a) By holding meetings for discussion and for hearing lectures on sub- 

 jects connected with the theorj' and practice of improved husbandry or other 

 industrial processes." 



" (d) By promoting the circulation of agricultural, horticultural and mechan- 

 ical periodicals.' 



" (<:) By importing and otherwise procuring seeds, plants and animals of 

 new and valuable kinds." 



" (d) By offering prizes for essays on questions of scientific inquiry relating 

 to agriculture, horticulture, manufacture and the useful arts." 



" (e) By awarding premiums fqr excellence in the raising or introduction of 

 stock, the invention or improvement of agricultural or horticultural implements 



