24 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1906 



We have great cause for thankfulness that able and wise 

 men in past years established this Society and by their efforts 

 and those of their associates and successors so much has been 

 accomplished for the improvement of the Society and the com- 

 munity. I am happy to report an improvement in our financial 

 condition. During the past year we have received a flattermg 

 increase in the rental of oui halls, which seem a universal fav- 

 orite for lectures, concerts, balls, banquets and society gather- 

 ings, where the most convenient and best is desired. 



Lovers of the really beautiful in horticulture have had many 

 opportunities during the past season to admire the grand contri- 

 butions we have had upon our tables, many specimens that can 

 hardly be excelled, contributed by trained and experienced cul- 

 tivators, with wliich we are highly favored. 



The growing tastes for native plants and floAvers, which have 

 added such a charm to our exhibitions, by our young lady con- 

 tributors, the skill displayed in their arrangement and the 

 scientifically naming of so many specimens has not only proved 

 an object lesson in itself but a good lesson in botany with so 

 many specimens. 



In the past season there has been an increased exhibition of 

 Gladiolus. We are now independent of the English and 

 French. The wonderful variety grown in this country is seem- 

 ingly endless. The marvellous blending of color in the flowers 

 of our native production is unequalled and an increasing inter- 

 est is manifest over the whole country. 



It is not often that a season may be called perfect for the de- 

 velopment of all sorts of fruit, — so many varying conditions 

 are requisite for the growth and development of each, — the ex- 

 tremes of cold and heat, of early and late frosts, of moisture 

 and drought, — we have become accustomed not to expect too 

 much. But the weekly exhibitions demonstrate the tables are 

 most always reasonably filled. 



Promptly in June we have the strawberry with its wonderful 

 variety, often new sorts never seen before. They have their 

 allotted period of life, and pass away to make room for others. 

 The small fruits that follow, — the raspberry, the currant, 



