1899.] ANNUAL HKUNION. 95 



cent, are ensfaored in some line of ao^ric'ulture. This low per- 

 centage is due to a public sentiment, even among the agricultural 

 communities, that farming is a " low down " occupation. We 

 need more students, and with our splendid equipment can 

 accommodate 200 more. Send us some of that 200 and we will 

 return them to you as well fitted for the business of life as the 



graduates of any classical or other institution of learning. 



» 



Postmaster J. Evakts Greenk was introduced as a trustee 

 of the public reservations. He gave an account of that institu- 

 tion's aims and what it has accomplished in preserving historic 

 memorials. 



John Farquhar of Boston said there is no doubt horticulture 

 is on the forward march and New England is in the front rank. 

 Mr. Farquhar said he wished the Massachusetts Society had as 

 good a home in a central location as the Worcester Society. 

 The progress of horticulture in the United States is shown by 

 the exportation of vegetables to England, whereas the tide was 

 running the other way a few years ago. 



Clarence F. Carroll, superintendent of the public schools, 

 of Worcester, spoke of the influence of horticulture as an educa- 

 tional force and a remedy for this great artificiality which is 

 coming more upon us in the future. The threatening element 

 in this artificial life is the tendency away from nature and the 

 spontaneous growth. The two forces that will offset the dangers 

 of over-civilization are the existence of societies like this 

 horticultural society, which we should all try to co-ordinate 

 with the public schools, and the public schools which should 

 save us from artificiality and barrenness of life. 



At 9.15 o'clock the speaking closed, and the party adjourned 

 to the main hall for dancing. The platform was beautifully 

 decorated with Palms, Ferns and flowers from the conservatories 

 of Hon. Stephen Salisbury. The banquet tables were profusely 

 decorated with bouquets and vases of Narcissus, Snap-dragon, 

 Carnations, Hyacinths, Callas, Ferns, Roses, and Lilies con- 



