1877.] REPOI'.T OF THE SKCUCTARY. 37 



indeed will Horticulture, its Apple and Pear Orchards destroyed , its Cur- 

 rant and Strawberry Plantations extirpated, see and own its dependence 

 upon the Florist, from whose co-operation and support, only, can it de- 

 rive any assurance or hope of ultimate prosperity. The window-garden 

 will endure so long as the sun shines and woman has a roof to cover her 

 head. Our constituency bid fair to last through all time; the pertinent 

 question is — have we the wit and will to learn and heed its instructions ? 

 The world Avould miss its flowers; but a Horticultural Society, neglect- 

 ing or false to its mission, might die and leave no sign. 



Of course, no Premiums that we might incline to propose, and which 

 the condition of the Treasurj'^ would justify, could remunerate our fair 

 contributors for the devotion to our service of so much labor and time. 

 But the offer of them would make our thorough appreciation more clearly 

 evident; and that, in itself, would go far as an incentive. As it is, we 

 expect and feel aggrieved not to find exhibited the latest novelties; forget- 

 ting that we may exact too much from limited means and still more 

 straitened opportunities. " To him that hath shall be given," may ans- 

 wer for Christian philosophy. But it should be a fixed and vivid impres- 

 sion in our minds that Flora is a heathen goddess; to whose worship we 

 must individually contribute, tliat the smoke of the sacrifice may ascend 

 within her shrines. A judicious revision of our Premium-Schedule, by 

 which any superfluity assigned to the purposes of our Ankual Autumnal 

 Exhibition shall be diverted to the more ample and satisfactory main- 

 tenance of Floral Exhibitions throughout the lale Spring and Summer, 

 commends itself to my deliberate approval and is most earnestly advised. 



The Summer Exhibition of KosES and Strawberries was a repeti- 

 tion of that of last year,in one of its most important features. The books 

 of the Secretary contain the follov,ing record under the date of June 29th, 

 A. D. 1876: — " There was no entry of roses, and of course no award." 

 Should it be urged in explanation of this utter failure, that the Exhibi- 

 tion was held, in 1876, at too late a date for such a perishable flower, the 

 reply is ready that there was but a single exhibitor in 1877, when the 

 character of the season was such that the competition, in the class of 

 Roses, had to be anticipated upon the 21st of June. A solitary stand, 

 comprising thirt3'-one (31) named varieties represented the only attempt 

 to fill this abhorrent vacuum in nature. "What has caused such evident 

 neglect of the Queen of Flowers in recent years, by the florists of this 

 Society? So late as A. D. 1874, and upon the 2d day of July at that, 

 there were five separate stands of Roses, by as many different contribu- 

 tors, not to mention the numerous vases and bouquets of that delicious 

 flower. It cannot be indifference or lack of appreciation. Is it laziness, 

 6 



