1904.] ANNUAL REUNION. 99 



PivsidcMit Iladwcii referred to the old-time idea that little 

 kiiowletlgo was necessary to cultivate the soil, and the 

 changes in that respect. He reconnnended a course of study, 

 in which agriculture and horticulture should have increased 

 attention in the public schools. 



He expressed the opinion that the time is rijx; for the school 

 garden, a sentiment which was received with api)lause. He 

 t()ld of the past good the Society has done, especially the record 

 for the past year, and predicted better work in the future. 



President Had wen introduced Gen. Charles W. Wood as 

 toast-master, and that gentleman was received with applause, 

 which was repeated all the way through the speaking, as he 

 got in a delicate jab at some one of his victims, and in turn 

 was made to realize there were others, when the speakers 

 turned on him. 



Gen. Wood dwelt on the desire of the fatigued dweller in 

 the cities for a life in the country, and then introduced Mayor 

 W. H. Blodgett as the first speaker, saying he was always 

 the mayor of the Society, and now has merely a broader field. 



The mayor was received with applause, and told of the 

 different positions which he has had and wondered since he 

 was asked to do the work of a minister at the dinner, if he 

 was a minister and did not know it. 



He praised the Society and the farmers of Worcester county, 

 and said it was partly owing to the influence of the Society 

 that JDctter fruit is raised in this section than formerly, but 

 some of the influence undoubtedly came from the kicks of 

 the marketmen, a sentiment which evoked laughter. He 

 believed in organizations, and referred especially to the Grange 

 and the work he has seen it do here and in New York. He 

 urged a setting of high ideals and a constant endeavor to attain 

 them. 



W. W. Rawson, Arlington, Mce-President of the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Society, President of the Boston Market 

 Gardeners' Association, Selectman of Arlington, largest market 

 gardener in America, and head of a large seed store, was next 

 introduced and responded with some good stories, a poem, 



