1878.] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 41 



i 



palpable deficiencies and drawbacks. Now, let ns suppose that the 

 energy and resources, in great measure wasted upon these unwieldy 

 displays, were lavished in due proportion upon our Weekly. Exhibitions! 

 Imagine a collection of Ferneries, under our auspices, and in our 

 Hall : a collection such as, under other and perhaps not more con- 

 genial management, heretofore proved an irresistible attraction. En- 

 courage the growth of indoor Bulbs, and anticipate our tardy date for 

 their display. Magnify the customary Vernal Exhibition ; and excite 

 a weekly interest by challenging and eliciting a weekly attraction ! 

 First, — spread j'our board ! and then, send out into the highways and 

 compel them to come in. 



The expense to the Society of all its Weekly Exhibitions in A. D. 

 1878, was trifling in comparison with their obvious benefits. Their 

 entire cost in premiums and gratuities was less than Two Hundred 

 Dollars. And, of this sum, by far the most considerable amount was 

 awarded at a single display, — that of Roses and Strawberries. By dis- 

 continuing the Annual Autumal Exhibition we should be enabled to 

 make a saving, whereby it would become easy for us to bestow 

 worthier prizes at our more frequent competitions. And if, in addition 

 to the fixed premiums for specific articles and methods, the Committees 

 should be authorized to dispose, at their discretion, of a reasonable sum 

 each week, it is believed that a new and decided interest would be 

 awakened. At present, but few can anticipate any remuneration for 

 their loss of time. Two or three ladies, usually tlie same throughout 

 the season, and of whom it may here be said that their assiduity and 

 taste merit far higher recompense, monopolise ourpre miums for flowers, 

 — arranged. There may be other contributors deserving recognition : 

 but the schedule was established, months previous, and permits neither 

 excess nor evasion. We ought not to intermit our practice of reserv- 

 ing a portion of our annual income for the reduction of our Debt. But, 

 with the discontinuance of our Autumnal Exhibition, it would seem 

 practicable to appropriate Five Hundred Dollars for the purpose now 

 suggested. Perhaps it may not be possible, in our more contracted 

 sphere, with so few gentlemen and ladies of means and leisure taking 

 that interest in Horticulture which might well beseem them, to main- 

 tain, like the Massachusetts Society, an uninterrupted series of meet- 

 ings throughout the year. If however, it should be deemed worth 

 attempting, the knowledge that our Committees had been author- 

 ized to confer gratuities upon meritorious objects might well promote 



