38 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [iS/Q 



as horses have been fortunately swapped in the middle of a 

 stream. That Society will be lucky, indeed, which can felicitate 

 itself without reserve, upon the opportune result of a first 

 attempt. With accumulated experience, it will be a task of 

 comparative ease to correct mistakes in the schedule, or to 

 remedy its deficiencies. Some Florists, as well as other some 

 who do not aspire to that peculiar title, opine that it might be 

 well to provide for a weekly display of Cut Flowers, — by 

 Stands, in addition to the Baskets, Designs, or Dishes, that may 

 be specifically invited. A wide discretion should be allowed 

 the Committee ; — which ought not to be expected, as no com- 

 petent Committee would consent, to award Premiums irrespec- 

 tive of absolute, as well as relative merit. Good nature has its 

 proper place in the social economy, but it is misplaced when 

 it attempts to bias the judgment. Our personal friends are, of 

 right, precious to us : yet the knowledge that a friend is among 

 the competitors should restrain us, all the more rigidly, from 

 doing injustice to a stranger. At the same time it is sufficient 

 to be upright. Some men are so anxious to stand straight that 

 they lean backwards. The just judge should be wholly without 

 inclination : an impartiality, if difficult of attainment, all the 

 more creditable to those who strive for it and achieve success 

 in its pursuit, in howsoever moderate measure. 



Allusions have been made, incidentally, to the growth of fruit 

 when the specimens were suffered to mature. Some Apples, 

 and more Pears, were plucked from the tree in early September, 

 under the strong attraction of offered Premiums, whose crudity 

 of shape and size could only serve to mislead. How different 

 has been the appearance of the same varieties as displayed, in 

 full perfection and even extreme magnitude, at our recent 

 Weekly Meetings ! Recall the St. Ghislain, and the Washing- 

 ton ! of a size and beauty never before seen. The Doyenne du 

 Cornice, from Oak Avenue ; and the Duchesse, (its plate of ten 

 weighing ten pounds, nine and one-fourth ounces,) from Portland 

 street ; once again showing how that variety riots in the South- 

 Eastern portion of our city. Bear in mind the specimens of 



