PROJECT OF ALTERING THE HALL. 161 



take into consideration the present insufficient accom- 

 modations of the Society, to consider the expediency of 

 disposing of the present estate, to ascertain what more 

 suitable location can be procured, and the probable cost 

 of erecting a building sufficient for all the wants of the 

 Society ; also to consider the feasibility of so altering 

 the present building by enlarging the same, or of re- 

 building on the present site, as to aiford adequate 

 accommodations for the present, and also to meet the 

 increasing wants of the Society." President Breck, in 

 his annual address on the 1st of January, 1859, after 

 alluding with approval to the appointment of this com- 

 mittee, described the accommodations needed, as, in 

 addition to a large exhibition room, one of smaller 

 dimensions for winter, and other light and airy rooms 

 for the library, and for meetings of the Society and 

 of committees, and in connection with these, or a com- 

 bination of them, the conveniences of a horticultural 

 exchange, where the members might meet from week 

 to week to hold social intercourse, and recount their 

 successes or failures, discuss the merits of the last new 

 fruit or flower, or communicate whatever might relate 

 to the subject which they had so much at heart. On 

 the 5th of March, 1859, the committee reported prog- 

 ress, and were authorized to employ an architect to 

 estimate and draught plans for such alterations in the 

 building as they might desire. The estate on the north- 

 erly side of Winter Street, then occupied by the Central 

 Congregational Church, was brought to the attention 

 of the committee, and designs and estimates for a build- 

 ing on that site were procured ; but the idea was after- 

 wards relinquished. 



On the 5th of November, 1859, the subject of dispos- 



