174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was considered ; but it was afterwards decided to hold 

 them in one of the unoccupied stores in the new build- 

 ing. On the 5th of August the meeting of the Society 

 was held for the first time in the library room of the 

 new building, when the president delivered an address 

 of welcome to the members, and congratulated them 

 upon the possession of a new and elegant building. 



On the 16th of September the building was dedi- 

 cated, the exercises consisting of prayer by the Rev. F. 

 D. Huntington, D.D., an address by President Hovey, a 

 song written for the occasion, and sung by Ball's Quar- 

 tette Choir, and closing with a benediction. The exer- 

 cises were interspersed with music by the Germania 

 Band. 



In the opening of his address the president bade the 

 members welcome to their new hall : 



11 Welcome, then, thrice welcome, to this Temple of Fruits and 

 Flowers which you have reared, over which Ceres, Flora, and 

 Pomona shall preside. Here shall each hold high court, and all 

 who worship at their shrine bring annually their chosen offerings, 



' Flowers of all hue, and without thorn the rose,' 



wreathed and garlanded in all the fancied forms of grace and love- 

 liness which cultivated taste may direct. Here bring your orchard 



treasures, 



'The wide projected heaps of apples,' 



' The Pippin burnished o'er with gold,' 



' The juicy pear 

 In soft profusion scattered round,' 



and make this ample hall like fair Pomona's arbor, 



'With flowerets decked, and fragrant smells, " 



a prophecy and an invitation which met a fitting re- 

 sponse in the annual exhibition of the succeeding week. 

 The address continued with an interesting summary 



