1879] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 1 9 



GooDALE, of the University at Cambridge, to deliver a course of 

 four lectures upon themes of congenial and cognate interest. 

 The audiences might have been larger, with benefit to the 

 community. "But at that marriage-feast of old, they which were 

 bidden were not worthy. Still, the supper was consumed. In 

 this case, you will have eaten your cake and — have it. For, at 

 the request of your Secretary, Prof. Goodale has prepared 

 outlines of those Lectures, which, when published, — to use his 

 own phrase, — will constitute a "printed guide to the principles 

 of modern Horticulture." Could you have made a better invest- 

 ment, although you had bestowed a few more premiums upon 

 the Baldwin apple ? 



In his latest Annual Report, your Secretary remarked that : 

 "Our Weekly ExkidiUons hciVQ been th.Q\iiQoi the Society. But 

 the faintest breath quivered in its nostrils when they were insti- 

 tuted. They awakened interest, commanded attention, and 

 invited membership. Attracting the first flowers of spring, 

 they could be made, by proper direction, to fill each successive 

 week throughout the year, with ample suggestiveness to the 

 eye or palate, until their close with the last fruits of winter. 

 Every Exhibition would then have a freshness that can be 

 attained in no other way. And novelty has a charm in itself. 

 Your earnest attention is solicited for the policy, simply out- 

 lined as it is, of relinquishing the oppressive and unwieldy 

 Anmtal Auttmiual Exhibitions and applying the energy and 

 means, absolutely wasted upon them, to magnify the Weekly 

 displays." 



The suggestion found acceptance, and the policy therein out- 

 lined, favor with your Trustees. Under their instructions a 

 schedule was framed that, with all its imperfections, has worked 

 to the realization of our common aim. An Exhibition was held 

 December 5th, A. D. 1878, whereat a creditable display of Fruit 

 inaugurated the new system. The meetings have been sus- 

 tained without intermission ; their success varying as to num- 

 bers in attendance, or articles displayed ; but at no time without 

 some indication of public interest. Criticism may perhaps 



