430 
STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 
society) and ia fact specimens of everything useful and orna¬ 
mental in horticulture. The paramount object of all such 
societies is to teach. In my opinion, to do this, it is not 
enough that we simply show the fruits of our labor. We 
should show the means and modes of producing this same fruit. 
Much of this can be done at a glimpse, and to those who come 
to learn, such a glimpse is valuable. 
There is another feature that can be profitably and legiti¬ 
mately added to our exhibitions, both local and state. I mean 
the garden vegetable feature. I cannot conceive that any sound 
reason can be urged for excluding it from our shows. We call 
ourselves a horticultural society, but our shows would lead 
people to suppose that we were nothing more than a fruit and 
flower society. To introduce and promote the collection of 
choice and good vegetables seems to me a part of our mission. 
Potatoes sold at a dollar a pound are surely as worthy of cul¬ 
tivation in the garden as the apples which sell at but a dollar 
the peck. We should lead, gentlemen,, in this matter and not 
follow the farmer. 
The policy of our society, too, I should like to see amended 
in some things. The importance of a more perfect union with 
the local societies for the purpose of giving and receiving in¬ 
formation, must be obvious to us all. Local knowledge is 
what we want, since the experience of another state, or even of 
parts of our own state, cannot always be accepted as our guide. 
Ours is a peculiar state, both in soil and climate, and our prac¬ 
tice in fruit growing must be in its modes peculiar also. We 
must study our own state. Without a more perfect union 
with local societies, and without an increase in the number of 
our societies, the knowledge we want can be obtained but 
slowly and with uncertainty. 
The next suggestion I have to make to you is one which, if 
it meet your approval, I hope you will take such action upon 
before leaving the city as will be likely to secure its adop¬ 
tion by the legislature. You will remember, gentlemen, with 
some little pride your initiating the movement for the appoint¬ 
ing of commissioners on the part of the state, whose duty it 
