122 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



England can be made to produce wine, of pure quality, sufficient for home 

 consumption. 



The prominent event of the year is the sale of the Society's buildings, 

 which was consummated the present week. The disposition of this prop- 

 erty was a subject of long and careful deliberation by the Committee, 

 before it was laid before the Society. It is conceded by all who have any 

 experience in the valuation and sale of real estate, that the price obtained 

 was a very liberal one. We shall leave this spot with feelings of deep 

 regret, for here we have enjoyed many pleasant meetings ; this is the place 

 where we liave first seen many new fruits and flowers, where we have 

 acquired much horticultural knowledge, and where, for many years, the 

 associations have continued satisfactory and pleasant. 



Although we shall be deprived of a permanent home for a season, yet we 

 hope that not many months will elapse before we s^hall again find ourselves 

 more comfortably established in more extensive and well-lighted apart- 

 ments, with ample room for our valuable library, social and business meet- 

 ings, with all the conveniences and comforts which the rank, standing, and 

 wealth of our Society demand. 



The general impression is, that the Society have made a good sale, and 

 that the purchase money is safely and well invested. 



There will be no necessity for any haste in the purchase of another site 

 on which to establish ourselves. I hope no hasty action will be taken on 

 the subject, but recommend that the Society take time, and wait patiently 

 for a favorable opportunity, which, no doubt, will present itself in the course 

 of a few months, or in a year or two. 



The committee who have in charge the subject of obtaining rooms for 

 our library, business meetings and exhibitions, for temporary accommoda- 

 tion, will, no doubt, be able to find a suitable place before the first of April. 



In a few days the debt to Mount Auburn will be cancelled, when we 

 shall be free from debt, with a capital of over $90,000 well invested, and an 

 additional and perpetual income of from $4000 to #5000 from Mount Au- 

 burn. The amount to be received this year will exceed the last named 

 sum. It is obvious then that the pecuniary position of the Society is most 

 satisfactory. 



During the year 1859, there have been added to the Society eight life 

 and thirty-eight subscription members, making a total of forty-six ; while, 

 in the same time, two life members and five subscription members have 

 died, and thirteen have ceased to be members on account of the non- 

 payment of their assessments, leaving a net gain of twenty-six. The 

 present number of life members is 2Q5, and of subscription members 315 — 

 making a total of 541. 



Now, gentlemen, with our wealth and number of efficient members, 

 much will and should be expected from our Society. It must be our study 

 to know what will best promote its usefulness. Need I say tliat the first 

 thing to be done among us should be to study the things that make for 

 peace. There mu'^t be united and harmonious action among us, or we 



