64 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1880. 



Probably none of yon wonld " work a free horse to death," 

 But did you ever stop to think of the tasks that a Floral Com- 

 mittee must assume ? In judging between exhibits, for instance, 

 you insist that the specimens shall be " annual, biennial arid all 

 herbaceous." Your Schedule calls for a stand of " Annuals," 

 exclusively. Perhaps you insist that a display shall consist of 

 " distinct varieties." Now, it would never do for a Committee 

 of the Worcester County Horticultural Society to confess them- 

 selves at a loss, — no matter how abstruse or occult the proposi- 

 tion. Yet so eminent a Florist as Shirley Hibberd admits his 

 inability to determine what is a species ! But hark ! to a dozen 

 women when, with assonant clack and as fast as their tongues 

 can wag, they insist that their particular bloom in question is 

 annual, — is herbaceous, — or is of a distinct variety ! It seldom 

 matters much if the Committee were unanimous and wholly posi- 

 tive ; exceptions are taken, all the same, and a jury of appeal is 

 quickly formed from sympathizing tales-women. Which, besides 

 being entirely out of place, pleases nobody, earning neither pre- 

 mium nor gratuity. 



Now in what way shall the mode of making awards be altered 

 and improved ? It is assumed that the terms of the Schedule will 

 be defined in as clear and precise phrase as our language allows. 

 There will not always be time to ransack the dictionary ; as 

 indeed there ought never to be any need of so doing. Besides, — 

 the wells of English pure and undeliled are not invariably those 

 wherefrom the botanist draws refreshing draughts. Noah 

 Webster and Sir Joseph Paxton may not think alike ; and how 

 shall men define accuratel}', if they do not think correctly? Asa 

 Gray and Leonard Worcester might live in the same town for 

 years ; but what would be the ordinary acceptation of a word to 

 the Lexicographer might fail to convey any intelligible sense to 

 the learned Professor. Horticultural terms, after all, like others, 

 must be defined ultimately according to their common acceptation 

 among those who use them. And, in their official interpretation, 

 the decision of the Committee should be received as final, — 

 without cavil or protest. 



It has been suggested that awards might be made, in future, 

 through a Committee consisting exclusively of females. Among 



