1896.] TRANSACTIONS. 11 



grizzled veteran of France might well exclaim, "It is superb, 

 but not War." So we, — reminiscent of countless experiment, 

 all based upon the splurge and tommy-rot of — see what a figure 

 I cut ! Who recall the dreary days of yore when Mechanics 

 and Washburn Halls, were crammed to repletion with the 

 choice and pick of Decorative and Ornamental Plants, of the 

 plenteous and select Fruits from the prolific Orchards of Worces- 

 ter County in which Peach and Plum, Pear and Apple con- 

 tended for supremacy of excellence ; but whereto the People 

 did not come, the officers of the Society being alike and solely 

 hosts and guests ; we, I repeat, who were there — hewers of 

 wood and drawers of water in the old times, — Consul e Planco, — 

 ask bluntly what more or better can we expect when our table 

 is spread with a single course, — and that the showy, barbaric, 

 scentless Chr^'^santhemum ! Our Society was founded to grow, 

 not to show. Our fathers and founders thought it expedient to 

 meet occasionally that they might observe and compare notes 

 upon the quantity and quality of the harvest, profiting by mutual 

 experience and positive test. They threw their doors wide 

 open, allowing the whole community to derive such benefit as 

 they might from unrestricted observation and study. Yet the 

 Exhibition was a mere incident, upon which the existence of 

 the Society never depended and toward the extravagant promo- 

 tion of which it was only recently perverted. The closer our 

 approximation to the Circus or Theatre, the wider our departure 

 from the true aim and spirit of Horticulture. Centuries since, 

 strife for the Laurel Crown, or Wreath of Parsley, awoke the 

 most strenuous competition of Grecian athletes. Now, — when 

 Plutus has become our God, — the intrinsic value of a watch 

 measures the degree of athletic devotion. Shall Horticulture 

 sink to a level exclusively mercenary? Shall we advance and 

 promote Floriculture and Pomology, because we love Flowers 

 and Fruit, as we pledged ourselves when we accepted our 

 Charter? Or shall we consult the whims, and dance attendance 

 upon this or that fine lady, who denies nature, avoids otTspring, 

 but condescends a blase stare at some professional monstrosity 

 or natural freak, and tomorrow molly-coddles with equal and 



