1897.] TRANSACTIONS. 13 



abated until the season had entirely passed in which any recog- 

 nition could be expected in the way of premiums, and for many 

 weeks, when they were omitted from our schedule, hundreds of 

 varieties were shown upon our tables. 



That this feature of our exhibition has come to stay admits of 

 no question, and the result seems to be that an effort will be 

 made to procure in larger quantities the edible varieties for use 

 in the homes of our members. 



I am glad this matter has been encouraged by us, and hope 

 the same may be continued in a larger way hereafter, that what- 

 ever of good comes through it, we may be among the pioneers 

 in pushing its development. 



It may not be known to all the members of this Society that 

 at the time of the organization of the Massachusetts Fruit Grow- 

 ers' Association, the Finance Committee, through its chairman, 

 Mr. Lincoln, tendered its promoters the use of our rooms with 

 the understandins^ that the annual meeting of said Association 

 should be held in this city. By an understanding between the 

 executive officers of the two societies, it has been so arranged 

 that their annual meeting should occur at the time of our 

 reunion, and its oflScers, by this plan, have in some sense been, 

 on that occasion, the guests of the Society. 



We have received from the Fruit Growers' Association, 

 through their officers, thanks for the courtesies received, and 

 expressions of gratitude for the favors extended to them. 



There are two other societies whose membership is largely 

 drawn from this Society, and known as the Worcester County 

 Market Gardeners' ^Association, and Worcester Mycological 

 Society, who occupy our rooms for their meetings. 



Both of these societies are aids rather than hindrances to the 

 work of this Society, each covering an important line of work 

 and science of horticulture, and each are entitled to all the aid 

 we can give them. 



There has not been the slightest objection or criticism of the 

 action thus far taken towards them, nor is there any probability 

 of any being made should the same practice continue in the 

 future, but there are some who feel that the importance of the 



