22 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1887. 



issues, thus expresses some views of its experienced and veteran 

 Editor : 



" We have repeatedly shown that, with a few worthy excep- 

 tions Horticultural and Agricultural Societies have not pro- 

 gressed as the world has moved. The best people among 

 amateurs neglect them, while exhibitors have to be almost 

 tearfully besought to rake up something to fill the room. Yet 

 there are exhibitors in numbers if it were made their interest to 

 bring out their products ; and thousands ready to patronize any 

 work of excellence in the gardening world. 



" Private parties are undertaking to do the work of exhibiting, 

 independent of societies." 



Is that broad statement of what may be a general truth appli- 

 cable to ourselves, here in Worcester? We can neither ignore 

 nor overlook the fact that Agricultural Exhibitions had so far 

 deteriorated, that extreme measures became necessary to resusci- 

 tate societies, almost overwhelmed by a load of debt, from which, 

 extrication was rendered hopeless by the lethargy of members. 

 Nor, while the trial of a cure by the galvanic process is still in 

 course, can we dismiss the fear that such treatment is not suflB- 

 ciently radical for the disease ; and that a body which supplicates 

 the merest simulacrum of an origanized association to uphold its 

 arms — ^^ stet nominis um rcC ! Professor Meehan instances the 

 work of private individuals as obviating the need, or forestalling 

 the task, of Societies. Yet, this is no new thing under the sun ; 

 nor is that result inevitable. He, — better than most, — can remem- 

 ber when Caleb Cope first displayed the superb flower and cu- 

 rious leaf of the Victoria Regia ; all Philadelphia flocking to see 

 the rare beauty. Your Secretary vividly recalls the exhibition, in 

 Worcester, b}^ the late D. Waldo Lincoln, of a specimen of that 

 aquatic plant ; Mr. Lincoln being indebted for it to the courteous 

 liberality of that princely merchant. Many a specialty has been 

 shown since, here and elsewhere, in public hall or private dwell- 

 ing ; in which latter, indeed, the Cereus is getting to bloom with 

 a monotonous and depressing frequency as the shades of night 

 deepen and recede. 



The Professional Florist, or Market Gardener, is, as it were, 

 ever on parade ; the requirements of their business exacting that 



