166 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sale. They, however, regarded the Montgomery House 

 estate as far preferable. 



The report of the committee was accepted, and the 

 president and treasurer were authorized and directed 

 to sign and execute all papers necessary to complete 

 the purchase. In accordance with the recommenda- 

 tion of the committee, the estate was placed in the 

 charge of the Finance Committee until the Society 

 should decide to erect a building upon it. 



At the annual meeting on the 2d of January, 1864, 

 President Hovey and Josiah Stickney, Charles O. Whit- 

 more, Marshall P. Wilder, Joseph S. Cabot, William 

 R. Austin, H. H. Hunnewell, James F. C. Hyde, and 

 Leander Wetherell were appointed a committee to con- 

 sider the expediency of erecting a building on the site 

 of the Montgomery House. This committee on the 

 6th of February made a unanimous report, from which 

 the following portions are extracted : 



4 ' Your committee believe it is for the permanent interest of the 

 Society to proceed with the erection of a building, if it can be done 

 within its means, or with safety as an investment of its funds. 

 The question of time is one to which they have given much atten- 

 tion ; and, looking at it in all its aspects, they feel assured, with 

 such a plan as they have had prepared, should it meet the wishes 

 and approval of the Society, a building can be erected at a reason- 

 ably enhanced price, without detriment to its present interests or 

 future welfare, which will afford a good income upon the outla} T , 

 and, what is of the most importance, place the Society in posses- 

 sion of a hall of its own, where it can accommodate all the exhibi- 

 tions, weekly or annual, a building that shall be an ornament 

 to our city, i a fitting testimonial of our liberality,' and one which 

 will enable us to carry forward the great objects of its founders, 

 viz., ' Encouraging and improving the science of horticulture.' 



"At an early stage of the action of the Society, a committee of 

 five was chosen to purchase a suitable site within certain limits ; 



