BEPORT 



OF THE 



COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION AND DISCUSSION, 



FOR THE YEAR 1886. 



In submitting this report to the Society, we are gratified to note 

 that the publications of the year are of increased size and inter- 

 est, and well calculated to promote the diffusion of horticultural 

 knowledge ; and we concur with entire unanimity in the con- 

 clusion that this year has been one of relative superiority and 

 increased success in this department of work. Through the un- 

 tiring labors of the Secretary and his assistant, the Transactions 

 for the year have appeared in print and been placed in the hands 

 of members and also forwarded to other societies of kindred in- 

 terests, with commendable promptness. 



During the winter months the meetings for discussion have been 

 well attended, and the weekly bulletins of the Society, containing 

 abstracts of the essays and discussions, have been extensivel}' cir- 

 culated and read. 



The series of essays has embraced a wide range of subjects, not 

 only adapted to interest and instruct the members of the Society, 

 but tending to build up and elevate the happiness of domestic and 

 rural life. 



The discussions following the essays, perhaps, have not fully met 

 the expectations of your Committee, but this may possibly be 

 attributed to the fact that the essays were elaborate papers, treat- 

 ing of large subjects, and requiring more thought and considera- 

 tion than the limited time would permit. But it may be fairly 

 stated that the meetings constituted a series of well defined steps 

 in progress, and when considered as a whole we may feel well en- 

 couraged with the manifest result. 



