116 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



As our present accommodations do not give us the satisfaction and com- 

 fort we desire, I approve the action of the Society in choosing a committee 

 to take into consideration the expediency of disposing of our real estate 

 and locating elsewhere, or so arranging the place we now occupy that we 

 may have conveniences better adapted to our wants and more in accordance 

 with the spirit of the age. In addition to a large exhibition room, we need 

 one of smaller dimensions for winter, and other light and airy rooms for the 

 library, business, and the convenience of the committees. In connection 

 with the business, library, and winter rooms, or a combination of these 

 rooms, we should have the conveniences for a horticultural exchange, or a 

 place where we may meet, from week to week, to hold social intercourse 

 and recount our successes or failures, discuss the merits of the last new 

 fruit or flower, or to communicate whatever may relate to the subject we 

 have so much at heart. Probably there is no other pursuit that so effect- 

 ually modifies, or annihilates the distinctions, which custom has made in 

 society. Personal rank and distinction have, on this, submitted to the 

 equality which nature recognizes. If, therefore, any change is to be made, 

 let us have a place provided where rank, talent, wealth, industry, and skill 

 may blend, and where all classes may freely exchange opinions, and re- 

 ceive instruction and encouragement from each other, and thus new life 

 and energy be imparted to all. 



The rich displays of fruits, flowers, and vegetables, at our annual exhi- 

 bitions, have been a prolific source of instruction to all interested in horti- 

 culture who have attended them. It has been a kind of harvest-home to 

 the members ; a holiday week of social intercourse among ourselves and 

 with members of kindred societies ; a week in which more instruction has 

 been received in the study of the productions thus exiiibited, and in ex- 

 change of opinions, than from all the other exhibitions of the year. 

 Whether we have pitched our tent on the Common, or occupied the Music 

 Hall, or made use of our own premises (as we did last year), for the exhi- 

 bition, we have found that the expenses sometimes exceed the receipts 

 ratlier more than we could wish. This exhibition is highly desirable, but 

 should be made to draw as lightly as possible upon the treasury. If a few 

 hundred dollars are necessary to make up any deficiency that may occur, it 

 should be considered as money well appropriated, although it is important 

 that the exhibition should pay for itself 



I believe the interests of the Society would be greatly advanced if some 

 of our practical and experienced cultivators would exercise their pens with 

 a little more freedom. Many of our members have accumulated a great 

 amount of horticultural knowledge, have had long experience, and write 

 with ease and fluency, and only need a hint, without a pressing invitation 

 or hope of reward, to set themselves at work in this direction. There are 

 some of us who would be glad to receive further instruction on various 

 subjects ; and among the many which interest us, perhaps none more so at 

 the present time than on the cultivation of the pear and grape. 



As to the pear, it is well known that there is a great difi'erence in the 

 results of diff'erent cultivators. There are those who invariably exhibit 



