1G2 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1898. 



recognize. The societies, both this and the one in Boston, are 

 influencing the children now, they are teaching the children 

 now horticulturally in their work in weekly exhibitions, and I 

 doubt if any educational institution will succeed in improving 

 very much upon the method that the society has adopted. I 

 wish myself that there could be a closer co-operation between 

 the horticultural societies and the public schools. I have 

 watched very carefully the suggestions along this line, but I 

 fail to see yet what seems to me a satisfactory solution of the 

 case. However, the societies are established, and I see no rea- 

 son why they should not go on generation after generation. 

 Their income is provided for, and all that is necessary is for a 

 judicious management of the funds and the weekly exhibitions 

 can go on. The best way in the world to encourage the chil- 

 dren to practice horticulture is to offer premiums, which this 

 Society and other societies are doing. 



When I was a boy I exhibited here. I was surprised in 

 looking over the Transactions of the Society to see how long 

 ago I used to come here, and I saw accounts of premiums that 

 were awarded in the Transactions that left no chance for doubt 

 but that I received some benefit. I believe that I received the 

 most valuable elementary education that I have ever received, 

 under the auspices of this Society. Not only the exhibitors are 

 influenced by the exhibitions, but a class of people who care 

 nothing for horticulture other than the fruits and vegetables 

 which are grown in the country. They receive valuable lessons 

 at the exhibitions. This in a way prepares a market for choice 

 products that can be grown by members of this Society. I 

 thank you, Mr. President. 



The Toastmaster. — The principals of the two high schools 

 are guests here to-night. We shall hardly be able to give them 

 both a chance to speak, so that we shall have to split the differ- 

 ence between the two. I think it would be the right thing to 

 give Mr. Lewis, the principal of the English High, a chance to 

 repudiate the aspersion that was cast upon him by the mayor. 



Mr. Homer P. Lewis. — Mr. President, Ladies and Gen- 

 tlemen : I am afraid I shall not be able to do that. I must con- 



