ANNUAL MEETING. 55 



for all have continually sought opportunity to add to our pleasure, we wish to express 

 our thanks. Gentlemen and ladies, we can do no more, but we assure you the thanks 

 are genuine. 



We also desire to express the surprise and pleasure which we felt in examining 

 that admirable illustration of the wise forethought of our State Government, — the 

 State school for indigent children. We cannot express too strongly our sense of the 

 value and importance of this institution to the welfare of the State. Thin, indeed, 

 would be the population of our penitentiary if Mr. Alden could but have the training 

 of those who would otherwise become its occupants. AVe were only pained to learn 

 that many children have to be refused admission for want of room. 



Finally do we desire to express the gratification afforded us by the presence of dis- 

 tinguished representatives of the pomology of other States. Messrs. Ellwanger and 

 Barry of the Western New York Horticultural Society, and Mr. M. 15. Bateham, Secre- 

 tary of the Ohio Horticultural Society, have all added very largely to the interest 

 and value of our sessions, and have rendered most valuable service in our committee 

 work. We would also acknowledge the reception from the first gentleman of some 

 tine illustrations of fruit. 



The Society then adjourned sine die. 



