Probably the most important event of the year with which the secretary was officially connected was the effort made to secure an appropriation from the state legislature in session last winter for the construction of a building for the uses of the Horticultural Society.  The building committee, with which the secretary served, held a number of meetings with members of the Board of Regents and various committees at the state legislature, at which a considerable number of our membership besides those regularly on the committee were in attendance and took part in appeals in the interest of the building.  The secretary’s service in this connection was largely the effort made to enlist the co-operation of the membership in the way of getting them to write letters or talk personally with the members of the legislature upon the subject, and an appeal was sent out through the mails to all of our membership with this object in view.  The response was a most liberal one, far beyond our expectations.  Some of the members of the legislature received over thirty letters from their constituents asking their support to this measure.  There was not a single member of the legislature who did not receive some communications about this matter.  In all there were sent in this manner to members of the legislature 1,594 letters.  While our efforts to secure this building failed, it was, as we believe, largely on account of the prevailing and unusual sentiment for economy which permeated the legislature to an extraordinary degree, and we have reasonable assurance that a similar effort with the next legislature will bring us success.  In regard to this matter the chairman of the building committee speaks more fully.

The financial report follows and to this your attention is respectfully requested.

Secretary’s Financial Report, 1915.

A. W. LATHAM, SECRETARY.

RECEIPTS.

Balance $91.62
G. W. Strand, Treasurer 685.96
Life membership fees 190.00
Books sold 14.10
Cuts sold 7.50
Banquet tickets sold at 75c each 138.00
Garden Flower Society, account premiums 65.00
Annual fees, 1914 8.00
Annual fees, 1915 3,004.00
Annual fees, 1916 263.00
          
                                              ---------
          
                                              $4,467.18

DISBURSEMENTS.