EEPORT OF THE COIMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 219 



formed in consequence of the stimulus given them by our exhibitions. 

 For fifty years the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has been 

 laboring successfully to create a love and taste for the cultivation 

 of choice fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and, thus far, constant 

 progress has been made in their cultivation, and our annual exhibi- 

 tions have increased in interest from year to year. Not only has 

 this interest been felt by our own members, but the public have also 

 shared in it, as thousands of beautiful gardens throughout the 

 country testify by the great improvement of their fruits and vege- 

 tables, and by the displa}' of a vast number of new and choice 

 flowers. The taste for and love of flowers, and the cultivation of 

 choice fruits and fine vegetables, has, by the example of our Society, 

 been extended all over the country. We have every reason to be 

 proud of the work that has been accomplished by the Societ}' — a 

 work commenced and prosecuted with great vigor b}- our first 

 members, man}-, indeed most, of whom have passed awaj^, but 

 the remembrance of whose unwearied perseverance is ever present 

 to encourage and strengthen us to prosecute with zealous interest 

 the object for which the Society was founded. 



The exhibitions of the past year have fully sustained the reputa- 

 tion of the Society, and we have everj^ reason to believe, if nature 

 smiles favorabl}^ on our exertions, that this year, in which occurs 

 our fiftieth anniversar}^, will be of increased interest to all who 

 have the welfare of the Society at heart. 



The record of the various meetings of the Committee would fail to 

 be of especial interest to the members of the Societ}', confined as they 

 •have been to discussions relative to the best means of arranging 

 the halls and the various contributions, perfecting the details con- 

 cerning the exhibitions, and endeavoring to make them prove 

 interesting to the members and the public at large. 



CHAS. H. B. BRECK, Chairman. 



