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To THE Members of the Worcester County Horticul- 

 tural Society : 



On the third day of March, A.D. 1842, the General Court of 

 Massachusetts passed an "Act to incorporate John Green, 

 "Anthony Chase, Frederic W. Paine, * * * their 

 "associates and successors," by the name of the "Worcester 

 "County Horticultural Society." John Green and Fred- 

 eric W. Paine, were, long since, gathered to their fathers. 

 Within the last twelve months Anthony Chase has followed 

 them, leaving behind him the treasured memories of a long life 

 spent in usefulness and honor. With his death closes the earli- 

 est chapter in our history. What Horticulture was, when he 

 and his associates assumed the serious task of 



" Advancing its science and improving its practice," 



there are few present old enough to remember. What it now 

 is ; and has become, mainly through the precept and example of 

 those pioneers in the cause ; you, the living members of this 

 Society, can see for yourselves, in this commodious Hall, the 

 valuable Library that surrounds us, and, more manifest yet, in 

 the garden and orchard which everywhere, throughout town and 

 county, blossom and yield in wanton profuseness. If Mr. Chase 

 took a less conspicuous part than others, more demonstrative 

 than himself, his zeal was not inferior nor his co-operation less 

 efficient. His patience was illustrated in the testing of new 

 varieties of fruit, for the introduction of which he may have 

 been indebted to the enterprise of either Earle, or of Colton ; 

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