54 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1881. 



England. The season was said to be unproductive for that crop. The 

 Apples were few and inferior." ♦ * * 



"There was but one plate of Tomatoes and this, in mid-summer, 

 though an excellent specimen, was not better than the box which our 

 Vice-President, John C. Whitin, Esq., of Northbridge, sent to me, 

 and I exhibited extensively to the members of this Society, in 

 February last. The result of the proposed comparison may thus be 

 distinctly stated. The English Exhibition was a display of rare luxu- 

 ries, which like the privileges of the favored classes in England, are 

 not ^within the reach of the great body of the people." 



Doubtless the Foreign Exhibitions have been developed in 

 extent and variety, as well as in the interest of popular instruc- 

 tion. But it may well be assumed that our own Society has kept 

 more than a measured pace with that advance. Certainly, 

 within the last two (2) years, the progression has been rapid, and 

 marked, beyond precedent. I attribute this throbbing vitality — 

 which animates your associated action, to the policy adopted by 

 your Trustees, not so long since, of regarding excellence as a 

 sine qua non in every and all articles submitted for competition 

 and official approval. Mechanics Hall has been found too small 

 for your contributions, when your ranks were less rmmerous, and 

 the state of public affairs was not especially propitious. At 

 present, — you could easily fill the Rink to repletion, without 

 Orchard or Garden betraying any deficiency. It has been your 

 wise election to do better. And yet, — although your weekly 

 schedule was limited to perhaps a dozen specific articles, the Hall 

 of Pomona; larger than when the senior Salisbury delivered 

 that address ; has proved almost inadequate for the recurrent 

 displays, and their constantly swelling throng of admirers. 

 That matters are managed somewhat differently, at present, 

 even in conservative England, may be inferred from the follow- 

 ing remarks of a close observer and unsparing judge,* who 

 nevertheless leaves room enough for a suspicion that further 

 improvement is still possible: — 



" For a well-managed Horticultural Society is not a grand patronage 

 affair of marquees and elephants, big prizes and military bands, wet 

 days and financial collapse ; but a broad-based, economically-managed 



* Garden, The. Aug. 13, p. 211. 



