1897.] ANNUAL REUNION. 55 



ANNUAL REUNION AND SOCIAL GATHERING. 



MARCH 10, 1897. 



The members and invited guests held an informal reception in the 

 library and ladies' parlor from six until seven P. M. The company 

 then marched to the banquet hall, Bicknell's orchestra playing a march. 

 After prayer by Rev. M. H. Harris, an excellent menu was served by 

 Curtis S. Yeaw. 



At the head table were Col. H. W. Wilson, of Boston, member of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Hon. Aaron Lowe, of Hingham, 

 E. W. Wood, of Newtou, Member State Board of Agriculture, Edwin 

 Hoyt, of New Canaan, Conn., Vice-President Conn. Pomological 

 Society, Hon. C. W. Smith of Providence, R. I., Secretary R. I. 

 Horticultural Society, Mayor and Mrs. A. B. R. Sprague, Hon. 

 Stephen Salisbury, Hon. Henry A. Marsh, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. 

 Sawyer, Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Comins, Rev. M. H. Harris, Lieut. 

 Samuel Hathaway and H. H. Chamberlin, original members of 1842, 

 Mr. and Mrs. James Draper, President O. B. Hadwen and Hon. 

 Henry L. Parker, Toast-master. After spending an hour enjoying 

 the good things. President Hadwen called the company to order. 



ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT HADWEN. 



Members of the Wb^'cester County Horticultural Society ; Ladies and 

 Gentlemen : — 

 Again we extend to you, in behalf of the Horticultural Society, a 

 most cordial welcome to this the 55th anniversary, as we come together 

 in social intercourse. We may congratulate ourselves on the harmony 

 of the previous years. I wish to extend our friendship to the mem- 

 bers of the auxiliary Society, which we most heartily welcome. Our 

 honored Secretary, who was with us one year ago at this time, and 

 who sat at my left, who so faithfully served us for so many years, has 

 gone to his reward. " Well done, good and faithful servant." We 

 may feel to congratulate each other on our progress, compared with 

 other Horticultural Societies in the country. The opportunity of see- 

 ing at our weekly and monthly exhibitions of fruit and vegetables, 

 the increase in horticultural products has been made interesting. Our 

 exhibitions teach our contributors to make careful selection of fruit, 

 both in color, form and size. It has taught the proper cultivation of 



