36 WORCKSTEll COUNTY HOIiTICULlUIJAL SOCIKTY. [1877. 



hands, its meed of equal and exact justice. Flowers are perishable and 

 their beauty and fragrance evanescent. A few species may present an 

 almost changeless charm, for successive exhibitions, but ordinarily the 

 laws of Nature are inexorable, constraining the lovers of continuous 

 bloom to cultivate a variety that they would not otherwise affect. And 

 that constraint, carrying with it burdens of its own, it should be our priv- 

 ilege and pleasure to recognize and alleviate, so far as may be within our 

 power. 



Do we then offer a sufficient pecuniary recompense for the earnest inter- 

 est and zeal to which we are so often indebted for the attractiveness of 

 our Summer Exhibitions ? For that visitors are drawn thither by Plants 

 and Flowers, and not by Fruits, as a rule, must be obvious to the most 

 casual observer. Yet worthily to fill one of our Flower-Stands which, in 

 our aim at the highest excellence, is the sum of our present requirements, 

 compels our contributors tp sacrifice their daily, home enjoyment. Their 

 best specimens must be ruthlessly severed; to be spoiled in all likelihood; 

 upon which otherwise their eyes might have gazed until 



■' Dazzled and drunk with beauty." 



Hours must be spent in displaying them to the best advantage, for is not 

 skill in arrangement to be considered in the decision of relative merit ? 

 The plaudits of visitors are bestowed upon contributors, should the 

 weather be pleasant enough to coax their attendance; and no counter at- 

 traction solicit, of stronger magnetism. But what return is made by this 

 Society for so much devotion and toil ? Why, the barest pittance to but 

 two (2) out of any possible number of competitors; and not even the 

 diplomatic assurance of our distinguished consideration to those who fail. 

 Possibly a winner, with more than ordinary luck, might gain enough in 

 the course of a whole Summer to justify the purchase of a barrel of Poor- 

 Farm fiour; but, even that, only by a stern self-denial of those higher 

 trades whose excellence is so extreme as to compel reduction. Certain 

 it is that no fortunes are to be saved up, from the Floral Premiums at our 

 Summer Exhibitions. Nay, it is even doubtful if their aggregate sum 

 would more than satisfy the original outlay for Flower-Seeds Your Sec- 

 retary would rejoice, beyond measure, could he impress the Trustees 

 with whom lies the establishment of Premiums, with his own views upon 

 this especial matter. Fore-casting the future, he anticipates a period, not 

 remote, when the lean kine and the scrub-race will cease propagation and 

 propulsion, and there will no longer be occasion or place for an Agricul- 

 tural Society — strictly such — in the City of Worcester. When the Town- 

 Lots will be covered with dwellings, the chaste homes of the political 

 elect, who are all Hayes Republicans, all Skillings Democrats ! Then 



