28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



in order to encourage the interest in children's gardening through- 

 out the state. This appropriation was used in awarding Silver 

 and Bronze Medals to those maintaining their gardens in good 

 condition during the season. Many entries were received for these 

 medals and the plan proved of much value in increasing the interest 

 of the children in their work. Money prizes amounting to $300 

 were offered at the exhibition, every dollar of which was awarded. 



At the suggestion of the Chairman a conference of the garden 

 teachers and supervisors was held during the exhibition to talk 

 over the work and to discuss the best methods for maintaining the 

 interest of the young people along agricultural lines. Mr. D. W, 

 O'Brien, the supervisor of the Boston school gardens, favored that 

 some token — a ribbon or a card — be given to exhibitors not 

 receiving a prize, if their exhibits had been worthy. This sugges- 

 tion was favorably received. 



Miss Annie L. Burke of Brockton spoke appreciatively of the 

 medals given out by the Society last year and the incentive they had 

 been to the young gardeners. It developed that in many cities 

 and towns there had been appropriate exercises connected with 

 their presentation. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LECTURES AND 

 PUBLICATIONS. 



By Fred A. Wilson, Chairman. 



The spring lecture course for 1920 was a variant from preceding 

 practice. The committee tried the plan of a course of lectures by 

 one man, in an attempt to get a connected series, and a presenta- 

 tion of material not commonly obtainable from other easy sources. 

 We were fortunate in our choice of Professor W. J. V. Osterhout of 

 Harvard University, who gave us a series of six lectures entitled 

 "The Living Plant" which were of high quality in every respect. 



There is always the question of the desirability of presenting more 

 common things, even illustrated bench methods of preparing soil, 

 sowing, cuttings, transplanting, and repotting; but your committee 

 feels that the principal course may well be upon matters of advanced 



