78 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1898. 



plant well than to learn the names of a hundred. The part that 

 I hoped the Horticultural Society might take in the work is 

 simply to ofler a few of its prizes, say in connection with two 

 exhibitions, one in June and the other in October, for the best 

 Yjlants raised by children in our public schools. Then the prize 

 winners in the different schools might compete with one another 

 in these exhibitions. This would increase the interest, unify the 

 work of the whole city, and give the Horticultural Society the 

 position which it ought to hold, a position foremost of all our 

 civic organizations in "advancing the science and in encouraging 

 and improving the practice of horticulture" among the whole 

 people of our city. As a policy to enable the Society to reach 

 the whole city, to encourage horticulture generally, and to draw 

 the best young men and young women to its membership and its 

 life-long support, I can conceive of none more strategic than this. 

 <'Our older members are rapidly passing away; is there prom- 

 ise that their places will be filled ?" Would not the adoption of 

 such a policy enable us to answer the oft repeated question of 

 our lamented Secretary more hopefully? I am aware that your 

 committee has decided not to undertake the work this year. On 

 the whole, I think the decision has been wise ; for the plan has 

 hardly been sufficiently developed as yet in the schools. I am, 

 however, glad of an opportunity to present the matter in this 

 general way to the Society, and I hope, when the time is ripe, 

 that the children will not reach up in vain to the Horticultural 

 Society for a helping hand. 



Time does not permit me to even indicate the wide range of 

 subjects that may be taken up and the great importance of the 

 horticultural interests involved. 



In planning the school course there are plants enough, as 

 many as you please, and as easy and as hard to raise as need be. 

 We may begin with nasturtiums and bachelor's buttons in the 

 lower grades and give them a try at carnations, begonias and 

 roses in the higher grades. In the high school we may go on to 

 subjects like hybridization and the origination of new varieties. 

 The plan is looked upon very favorably by our professional hor- 

 ticulturists in Amherst, from whom we may hope for the newest 



