164 PROCEEDINGS. 



our friends, and the founders of this Society ; many of them saw only through the vista 

 with the eye of hope; it is our duty and our privilege to carry out their designs, and to fill 

 up the picture as it once presented itself to the vision of the Lowells, the Storeys, the 

 Lymans, the Brimmers, the Curtisses, the Bradlees, and the Princes. Without a Hall to 

 exhibit, to advantage, all the specimens raised by horticultural eftbrls, we cannot fully 

 accomplish our highest aim — the dissemination of a knowledge of, and a love for. Horti- 

 culture. Imbue the public with this, and the emulation that it will create between 

 amateurs and the competition among cultivators for the market, will be sufficient to fill, in 

 a few years, the largest Hall we could desire to possess. 



Having expressed my views thus frankly on this subject, permit me to touch upon details 

 by suggesting whether a Hall, in every way suited for Horticulture, might not be built and 

 fitted up with reference to its soul-stirring kindred spirit. Music, where the warbling voice 

 and the " Bird Song" might be wafted, like the gentle zephyr, among the trees, the buds, 

 the blossoms and the flowers, to ravish the ear, while the eye should be charmed by the 

 gems of lovely Spring, or the golden drops and purple hues of gorgeous Autumn. 



The third number of the Transactions and Proceedings of the Society, which will com- 

 plete the first volume, will soon be published ; it has been delayed from causes over which 

 the Committee of Publication had no control, and which will be set forth in the introduction 

 of that number. The History of the Society, by General Dearborn, is a document of great 

 interest. The propriety of printing an extra number of copies of this part of the work, for 

 the use of the present members, and for future reference, is respectfully submitted. 



The report of the Finance Committee will show the estimated value of the Society's 

 property, together with its income and expenditures. The increased appropriations for 

 Premiums and Gratuities for the present year, have my cordial approbation. 



I cannot close these brief remarks without again congratulating the members of the 

 Society on the success which has followed their united efforts ; a continuance of the same 

 spirit of disinterestedness, kindness, and mutual esteem, that has attended their action thus 

 far, cannot fail to reward their future labors, and render their ways ways of pleasantness, 

 and all their paths paths of peace. 



Messrs. C. M. Hovey, B. V. French, J. S. Cabot, Eben Wight and H. W. Dutton, were 

 appointed a Committee to report on the foregoing Address. 



Mr. Cabot, from the Committee for establishing Premiums for 1851, reported a list, 

 amounting to twentytwo hundred dollars, which was adopted. 



The following Annual Report of the Committee of Finance was read and accepted : — 



The Committee of Finance, in accordance with the provisions of the By-Laws of said 

 Society, submit the following Report of its financial condition, as it exists this day, as per 

 Treasurer's accounts, which the Committee find correctly cast and properly vouched : — 



Receipts for the Year 1850. 



Balance in the Treasury, January 1, S242 0^ 



Rent for Store, 1,000 00 



Rent of Hall for the year, 561 20 



Assessments of Subscripfion Members, 837 00 



Interest of the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, - . . 175 OO 



Dividend of the Worcester Railroad, 159 00 



Coupons of the Connecticut and Passumpsic Railroad Bonds, - - - . 150 00 



Gross Receipts of the Annual Exhibition, 721 50 



Receipts from the Treasurer of Mount Auburn Cemetery, .... 3.292 07 



Legacy of the late Theodore Lyman, 10,000 00 



Miscellaneous Receipts, - . - -107 24 



$17,245 03 



