Delaware County, Indiana - Chapter 13: Horticultural Society, 1881

DATE OF ITS ORGANIZATION - CHARTER MEMBERS AND First OFFICERS - OBJECTS - AIMS AND SPHERE OF THE SOCIETY - ITs MEETINGS - MTIGRATORY - ORDER OF BUSINESS - REMARKS, ETC.

themselves in the most satisfactory manner, the strawberry season being at its most inviting period. Each subsequent meeting has been more interesting than that which preceded it, and attended with an increased membership, indicating the most flattering prospects of success in the near future.

The objects of the society are: |. The cultivation of fruits, flowers and garden products, as its name implies (a garden or gardening). 2. To disseminate useful information among its members in regard to

| the best varieties to produce, the most successful methods of cultivation The amounts given are partly estimated and stated in round numbers: | and the proper manner of preserving the same for future use. 3. To cultivate a more intimate acquaintance among its members, and to enjoy a rest from the toils of the garden and fields. But not least among the benefits conferred by such a society, is the dignity with which it crowns the occupation of him who tills the soil. Scores of our young men desert the farm, simply because they imagine that farm labor will lower their social standing. These are meetings in which intelligent men and women bring their influence. Their hearty sympathy and support must do much to correct such a false sentiment.

The meetings of the society are migratory in their character, the same being held in the country in the summer and in the city in winter, at the residence of some of its members, upon the invitation of some member who desires its company for the next meeting. All regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, the members, on these occasions, bringing their baskets well filled with provisions, and specimens of fruits, flowers and garden products, the latter for the inspection of special committees, whose duties it is to examine and report on their merits of beauty and excellence, the former to: be discussed by a committee of the whole at the close of the exercises. After assembling, and a few moments' chat among the members, the society proceeds to transact the business, which is arranged in the following order:

1. Roll call. 2. Reading the minutes of the previous meeting. 3. Unfinished business. 4. Reports of special committees. 5. Reports of standing committees. 6. Communications and correspondence. 7. Essays by one or more of its members, who have been designated at a previous meeting to prepare such. 8. Miscellaneous business. 9. Examination of specimens presented for exhibition. 10. Arrangements for next meeting. 11. Adjournment. After which, together with invited guests, arranging for refreshments, which is not usually the least interesting part of the programme.

The meetings have been very interesting and well attended since its organization, and prospering in the increase of its membership and social bearing toward each other. It now numbers about eighty of the best citizens of the county, who hope to see its membership increase into the hundreds, and express themselves as gratified with the work already accomplished, expecting, also, to continue until horticulture shall be the pride of our young men, few being found forsaking their country home for a city life. May it continue to prosper until every field shall be a garden, and every garden shall " blossom as the rose."'

With such a foreshadowing, the prospects of the future are most auspicious. With the spirit of enterprise moving it forward in its chosen course, the results cannot fail to be in accord with the anticipations of the most enthusiastic of its members. The field is a most desirable one