The purposes for which this society was organized, was to take such preliminary steps as might be necessary for the management of the Horticultural Department of the Centennial Exposition, and also for the purpose of organizing a National Horticultural Society for centennial purposes, to aid the Commissioners in this part of the great exhibition in 1876. The meeting was mainly for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion from prominent horticulturists and gentlemen from different parts of the country as to what is best to be done in relation to the matter under advisement. We read that it is the intention to have a grand horticultural garden, with model houses, for the display of plants of all kinds, and also a large and convenient conservatory handsomely fitted up for public receptions, etc. After some preliminaries, a committee, with the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder as chairman, was appointed to select officers for a permanent national organization, and they, in due course, presented the following report, which was adopted:

"1. This association shall be called the Centennial Horticultural Society.

" 2. The chief object of this society shall be to aid the United States Centennial Commissioners in the preparation of plans for the Horticultural Department of the Centennial Exposition, the planting of the horticultural garden, the construction and management of horticultural houses, etc.

" 3. The officers of this society shall consist of a President, five Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer, who shall hold their offices until others are elected.

"4. There shall be elected an Executive Committee, to consist of twenty-five members, who shall act, in conjunction with the Centennial Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as an Advisory Board, to consider and recommend to the Centennial Commissioners such plans for the Horticultural Department of the great Exhibition in 1876, as in their opinion may be best adapted to that purpose.

" 5. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the chairman when required and when duly notified; five members shall constitute a quorum for business.

"6. One member in each State and Territory shall be appointed by the President, to act as chairman of the State Committees, and these chairmen shall have power to select and appoint any number of horticulturists in their several States and Territories to act as members of the State Committees. The duty of the State Committees shall be to collect information and suggestions as to the wishes of horticulturists generally in regard to the Centennial Exposition, and to report such information, plans, and suggestions to the Executive Committee.

"The American Pomological Society being the acknowledged authority in our land in relation to fruits, with regularly constituted officers and committees in every State and Territory in the Union, and having voted to hold a session in connection with the Centennial Exposition in 1876, is hereby authorized and requested to co-operate with the Centennial Horticultural Society."

Permanent officers were then chosen, consisting of Patrick Barry of New York, President; A. W. Harrison of Pennsylvania, Secretary; W. H. Hacker of Pennsylvania, Treasurer; and six Vice-Presidents, and an Executive Committee of twenty-five members.