TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
49 
so that the committee could meet at nine o’clock the following morning and 
perfect their report. He said it was also expected that the committee would 
appoint a State Vice President for each delegation. 
GENERAL BUSINESS. 
Prof. Wm. B. Alwood, of the Committee on Order of Business, suggested 
for discussion the question whether it is advisable for the Society to revise 
its system of awards of Wilder medals and also provide for the award of 
gold medals. He said that the question had been discussed at an informal 
meeting of about forty members, at the Wissahickon Inn, on the previous 
evening, when the suggestion was made that a considerable sum had accumu- 
lated in the hands of the Society, which could be used for medals only; and 
that its use in this way would stimulate an interest in the Society among the 
best amateurs as well as professional growers throughout the country. 
Mr. Berckmans said he thought Prof. Alwood was in error as to the amount 
of money available for medals. The Society, had for this purpose only the 
income of $1,000, which was $40 per year. 
Prof. Alwood replied that, according to his understanding, there had been 
some accumulation of the income for twelve years. 
Mr. Berckmans said it had not been customary for the Treasurer to keep a 
separate account of the medal fund but that he had allowed that money to be 
absorbed in the general fund, and that it had been in part expended to defray 
general expenses. Therefore no expenditure should be permitted which would 
exceed the amount of the income from the $1,000 fund. 
Treasurer Taft explained that the income of $40 per year for medals had 
in twelve years aggregated $480, of which amount about one-half ($240) had 
been expended and about $240 remained on hand. He gave the expenditures 
for medals as approximately as follow's: In 1891 about $60; in 1893, nothing; 
in 1895, $40; in 1897, $18. 
Prof. Alwood remarked that he thought it w r as well understood by the 
Executive Committee that the necessary money v T as in the Treasurer’s hands 
and could be spent for medals only.' Therefore he suggested that the 
only question to be determined was w r hether the Society would increase the 
expenditure for medals to attain a wmrthy purpose. 
Mr. L. A. Goodman, Missouri, advocated the proposition, contending that the 
medal fund should be used in the purchase of medals. He said that the 
Treasurer’s accounts showed that the ordinary funds of the Society had been 
kept distinct from the medal fund. He thought that the distribution of WTlder 
medals would have a beneficial effect. He added that the fact that medals 
w r ere given by the Society was little known in the west. 
He moved to refer the matter to the Executive Committee with instructions 
to look into it, and after examination, to take such action in the use of the 
money to the best advantage as might seem justified. 
The President stated the question on the motion. 
Mr. Goodman: Will it be necessary to add the words, “with power to act?” 
The President: That will be understood, that the committee will have 
power to act. 
The vote was taken and the motion was carried without objection. 
Mr. Wm. C. Barry, who had been absent during the discussion on Nomen- 
clature, asked leave to speak for a few moments. He said: A most. impor- 
tant work before this Society Is that of solving the problem of nomenclature. 
7 
