1^77.] REPORT OF TSE SECRETARY. 51 



one hundred and five (105) plates. The character of the season, or its 

 being the odd year, might materially reduce the crop ; but, even with 

 those drawbacks, there were only five (5) less exhibitors without something 

 to sliow. In Pears there was an absolute increase ; there being three 

 hundred and ten (310) single plates in 1877, against two hundred and 

 eighty-four (284) in 1876. Not a striking proof, certainly, of any dissat- 

 isfaction with the policy of the Society, on the part of that wide member- 

 ship whose wishes should ever be consulted ; as they must, when decis- 

 ively manifested, become a rule. 



Should it be your desire to encourage the introduction of novelties — 

 whether of Flower or Fruit, you could happily achieve that aim by the 

 proposal of Prospective Premiums. Such were offered, for many years 

 in succession, during which no claimants presented themselves. But the 

 element of chance enters largely into the production of valuable varieties 

 from the seed ; perhaps too much so, to warrant a hope of such develop- 

 ment from our own members, few of whom are so situated as to be able 

 to devote, to it the requisite attention and time. Yet we might reap where 

 we have not sown. And a sure retvirn could be anticipated from an offer 

 of prospective premiums, which, not restricted to the production of seed- 

 lings, should comprehend the cull and pick of all novelties from bud or 

 scion. This, indeed, would involve little more than another mode of im- 

 porting scions at the expense of the Society. And it might be difficult to 

 give a good reason why the Society should not even do that ! 



Our Annual Autumnal Exhibition was partially, by no means 

 suitably, appreciated. This should not be construed into a complaint that 

 the pecuniary returns from admission fees, etc., were inadequate, since 

 the Trustees deliberately and wisely established the charge for admis- 

 sion at a merely nominal sum. But to the fact, each year more painfully 

 evident, that the Cattle Show, or Pomological Exhibition, pale in attrac- 

 tion, and that the chief inducement remaining to visit them is simply 

 weariness of all else. A close student of human nature opines that the 

 faith of the American people in the permanence or stability of any thing, 

 was rudely shaken when an armed hand was raised to destroy their polit- 

 ical fabric. The facile temperament, so lightly amused, has grown exact- 

 ing and querulous ; and, if dissatisfied for any considerable time, subsides 

 into chronic discontent and ennui. This may well be a result of lost faith. 



In our own case, however, other fault is found, more superficial and of 

 easier remedy, whereof it would be sheer affectation to pretend ignoi'ance, 

 it being a theme of quite general comment. It is claimed, with what jus- 

 tice you must determine, that our wliole system of entry and award is so 

 defective as to work injustice ; and that the receipt of its due by merit is 

 as much a chance of good luck as of careful discrimination. In all this 



