40 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1878. 



enure to any class, a positive benefit might be derived by those great 

 Pomological interests, which would l>e better appreciated by our 

 Farmers were it as difficult to grow Apples as to grade calves. To in- 

 'duce people to engage in the cultivation of Fruit, a display of specimens 

 should be limited to such as are perfect — which it is desirable to pro- 

 duce and multiply. Knurly and w^orni eaten samples are but evidences 

 of accident and mishap, to which all of us are liable, but from which 

 diligence and precaution will yield a measurable exemption. Our 

 ambition should be nerved to achieve the utmost possible; nor should 

 content itself supinely to accept what has been of common attainment, 

 time out of mind. 



It may be objected that an Exhibition, in Octob r, would be too late 

 for Flowers : and usually, such would be the case. But Societies, like 

 the New England Agricultural, are formed to foster the material 

 interests of their especial locality : and of these no one can over esti- 

 mate the importance of the crop of Apples — whether it concerns health 

 or food. Flowers — however beautiful — are a luxury, and in no wise in- 

 dispensable. They minister to no imperative necessity, although de- 

 prived of them, their absence would be sadly felt. We cannot eat 

 them: we cannot even smell them — when they are scentless or — we 

 have a cold in the head. Rut of the two institutions — the Apple or 

 the New England Agricultural Society, — the Apple goes to the head. 

 And therefore, — that its almost countless varieties may be displayed, 

 in their complete excellence, the season of its average maturity should 

 be kept first and ever in view ; so that Massachusetts and New Hamp- 

 shire need not hold back, while Connecticut presses continually for- 

 ward. The same arguments hold good, in similar if not equal measure, 

 when we consider the Pear or the more important species of Vegetables. 

 A genuine Marvest-Home cannot be forced into September. 



Nor need Flora be slighted or, what would be inexcusable in a 

 Society like our own, wholly ignored. Your Secretary has repeatedly 

 urged, in these Reports, a final abandonment of the Atmual Auhimnal 

 Exhibitions. They do not repay their actual pecuniary cost, being 

 rather a source of expense. They are scarcely valuable as a method 

 of instruction ; the attendance upon them being usually sparse and 

 listless. They consume much precious time of a great many Members; 

 provoke some jealousy and more discontent ; and are productive of but 

 little apparent benefit. Doubtless they have their uses ; but what is 

 contended for here is, that those uses by no means compensate for their 



