134 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the existence of the Society of $2,353.47, very nearly 

 one-third ($765.42) is believed to have been on account 

 of the library. The usual appropriation for this pur- 

 pose was $150 annually, until 1859, when $400 was 

 appropriated, and this was afterwards increased to 

 $500, at which amount it remained until the establish- 

 ment of the Stickney Fund, since which time the Society 

 has appropriated, in addition to the annual income of 

 $700 from that fund, from $200 to $300 for periodicals 

 and binding. In the valuation of the Society's prop- 

 erty December, 1878, the library is estimated at $18,- 

 067.45, which is probably less than its actual cost to 

 the Society, and doubtless much less than the same books 

 could now be purchased for, or than its intrinsic value 

 for consultation or reading. 



The dissemination of horticultural knowledge through 

 the publications of the Society has caused the expendi- 

 ture of a considerable portion of its income. From 

 1847 to 1851 the Transactions were published in royal 

 octavo, with colored plates of fruits and flowers, and 

 copies were sold to the amount of several hundred dol- 

 lars ; but, with this exception, all the publications of 

 the Society have been distributed gratuitously to the 

 members. The whole cost of this department of the 

 Society's work, including catalogues of the library, is 

 estimated at about $21,500 after deducting the amount 

 received for publications sold. 



In the earliest years of the Society a porter, who re- 

 ceived a small sum annually for the care of the hall, was 

 its only paid servant ; but as the library became more 

 important, and the business of the Society increased, 

 nominal salaries were paid to the librarian, treasurer, 

 and secretary, that of the treasurer being afterwards in- 



