1 8 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1879 



but in determining whose real merits no one was more earnest 

 or apt. He was, perhaps, the last of our original members to 

 relinquish the cultivation of the Plum ; exhibiting specimens, in 

 excellence and variety, long after every one else had succumbed 

 to the black-knot and curculio. Of an equable temperament, 

 he was well fitted for a pursuit that has no place for passion 

 and yields no returns to impatience. 



'^ Their associates and successors !'' Do you realize that the 

 entire responsibility has devolved upon yourselves .'' That it is 

 for you, exclusively, so to direct the operations of this Society 

 as to justify the prescience of its founders and vindicate your 

 title to follow 



" Si non passibiis aqtds^'' 



at least haltingly, in their footsteps. And it was a long step in 

 advance which was taken, under your sanction, during the 

 early winter. 



These Reports have urged, for years, that this Society should 

 encourage the study of Botany, — not merely for its own sake ; 

 or that our young women should be taught to distinguish those 

 herbs whose savory messes are a substitute for love ; but, more 

 selfishly, as a means to an end. Much of the interest attaching 

 to, or derived from our exhibitions, must be credited to the Floral 

 displays that have been maintained with creditable success and 

 without sensible intermission. As the city increases — for the 

 guidance of the Society is ever more and more surrendered to the 

 city — space for the Garden and Orchard must become yet close j. 

 restricted. Parlor-plants, however, will continue to be grown ; 

 while conservatories and green-houses are fostered, rather than 

 diminished, as settlement and population concentrate. Whatso- 

 ever, then, tends to diffuse a wider knowledge of the manner in 

 which plants grow, and in what simplest and best way to grow 

 them, comes within your especial province, as "advancing the 

 science and improving the practice of Horticulture," Looking 

 to this object, the Committee on the Library — being authorized 

 by a vote of the Trustees — engaged Professor George L. 



