90 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1893. 



fereut seasons of the year, and as the various plants and flowers, 

 vegetables and fruits, are, each in their turn, naturally by out-of-door 

 growth, or artificially under glass in their best condition, we aflford 

 occasions and facilities for the display of the results of the cultiva- 

 tors' skill, and for intelligent study and appreciation of them by the 

 public. Our library is one of the finest collections of horticultural 

 works in the world — is very nearly the best ; and it is the privilege of 

 any student in horticulture to freely consult its shelves. The Society's 

 prizes are open to all comers, and its readiness to benefit is only 

 limited by its opportunities or means to act as occasion arises. 



Is there not some way by which its power for good can be felt 

 more completely throughout this State ? Some way of encouraging 

 everywhere a local horticultural interest, and making more widely 

 known what can be found here at all times ; and the fact that our 

 rooms are open for an exchange of views on Saturdays? Such an in- 

 crease in the field of investigation and practice in horticultural work 

 as might thus be established in our comparatively small and compact 

 State could not fail of good results ; while it would yet more firmly 

 secure to Massachusetts her present proud position as respects educa- 

 tional advantages. 



We have in our State a varied surface, with a generous proportion 

 of rich arable soil, and other that is better suited to use as pasturage 

 or for the growth of trees. In our climate, where the heat of summer 

 tends so powerfully to dry up the short sweet grass of our pasture 

 lands, do not trees shading the surface of such pastures contribute to 

 ward off the ettects of drought, to sweeten the green food and 

 lengthen its supply by preserving moisture longer in the soil, and to 

 otherwise enhance the comfort of the animals grazing under the shelter 

 of their branches ? 



It is said that animals must be kept out of pastures until the trees 

 are fully established, and this is objected to as impracticable on the 

 score of economy ; but have we not lands which appear to be deteri- 

 orating gradually, where some such radical means are necessary to 

 preserve their quality, and where, later, such a course may greatly 

 enhance their value? Again, have we not good trees that could be 

 planted in pastures, and which animals would avoid, but which 

 would, with a little care as to trimming their limbs, form shelters to 

 animals' as well as to the ground, thus becoming of use in two ways 

 at once ? 



We know that only amongst tree-covered hills and fields we find the 

 sources of perennial springs, and that these are fast decreasing in 



