1887.] TRANSACTIONS. 23 



their products should be kept in as attractive a condition as possi- 

 ble. Yet, — notwithstanding the fluctuations in popular taste, — 

 possibly somewhat in their despite ; — it is permitted me to assert 

 here, with entire truthfulness, that the Exhibitions of the Wor- 

 cester County Horticultural Society, in this Forty-Fifth (45) 

 year of its official existence, still deserve, and are rewarded by, 

 public appreciation and encouragement. Of course the crowd in 

 attendance is greater at one time than another. Some will come 

 in June to behold Roses, and Strawberries ; who do not care to 

 look upon Apples, or Asters, in September. And also it may as 

 well be confessed that there are times when it goes hard with 

 officers and exhibitors alike : times when the elements frown and 

 insect-plagues discourage ; and the mountain or sea-shore, — may- 

 hap a Musical Festival! distract or divert. But, throughout all, 

 the calm observer notes a steady advance ; a marked, if not 

 uniform, development in the line of improvement towards per- 

 fection. The work of Horticultural education is continuous ; 

 nor in its curriculum^ as nowhere else, is there a royal road. 

 Our ranks are sadly depleted, at times ; of late, to a grievous 

 extent. But the places of those who were taken have been made 

 good, so far ; and it is not a baseless hope that youth and gen- 

 erous emulation shall succeed to age hereafter, as in the past. 

 To maintain our present high standing (and how high it is 

 actually as well as relatively, I fear that few realize, who hear 

 me) ; we must tolerate nothing but absolute excellence. Encour- 

 age first attempts, when you can ; favor and lend aid to experi- 

 ments which may tend, or promise to "advance the science and 

 encourage and improve the Practice of Horticulture ; " but never 

 consent to abase your standard which, for now well-nigh upon 

 a half-century, has been full high advanced; with each recurring 

 year the exaction being more and more rigid that Flower, Fruit, 

 or Vegetable, should be completely free from blemish, or defect, 

 whether in appearance or essence. 



But still, it may be urged, — the Worcester Agricultural Society 

 professes to hold an annual exibition of flowers, fruit, and vege- 

 tables, after once relinquishing the practice upon mature delibera- 

 tion ; and that therein may be implied and found some manner 

 and measure of discouragement. Our Society, however, does not 



