34 worcesti':r county horticultural society. [1879 



found, did the award for Glout Morceau, or Winter Nelis, 

 specify the immaturity of those varieties ; or, in even the most 

 obscure way, inform the ignorant but curious cultivator that 

 they should be suffered to hang upon the tree two months 

 longer. But the motive that prompts to an exhibition of the 

 Baldwin or Roxbury Russett, — scarcely one-fourth grown, — 

 has nothing in common with a genuine love of Horticulture. 

 That seeks perfection of development, — nor will be content 

 with aught else. "Will not their money be good.^" was the 

 answer of one of our members to a protest, by your Secretary, 

 against the exhibition of fruit vastly inferior to the specimens 

 usually shown by the speaker. Of course, — if the purpose is 

 solely to " spoil the Egyptians," it can matter but little how it 

 is done. But, — as Horticulturists, — you cannot, if you would, 

 divest yourselves of your personality. Whether as individuals^ 

 or as members of a committee, you will be holden to a strict 

 responsibility for the maintenance of that high standard which 

 you have established for these Halls ; and by upholding which, 

 for long years, you have achieved a reputation second to none 

 among the Horticulturists of the Republic. A mess of pottage 

 makes but poor rations, at best : and " no man can serve two 

 " masters." 



This Society has ever kept itself pure ; remaining true to its 

 original high aim, and courting favor through no meretricibus 

 attractions. In its darkest days, when the shadow of debt 

 loomed over us ; — some of your members put their hands in 

 their pockets, and, by liberal contributions from their private 

 substance, relieved its embarrassments and irradiated its future 

 prospects. 



Such of you as chanced to be in the audience might have 

 heard, recently, that the aim of the New England Agricultural 

 Society ; and inferentially its wards ; is, not to develop the Bull 

 and Stallion, as had been supposed ; but rather to perfect the 

 Christian Home! You may inquire why there are, then, no 

 specific premiums for such homes .'' Let it suffice for you to 

 know, that in tracing the process of Evolution, it is wise to 



