56 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1897. 



soil, aud how to ensure the best results. Flowers and trees are 

 planted in the parks and private courts, each contributing its share to 

 the art of Horticulture. Each season we renew these flowers, and 

 this is a special part of the work of the Association. I well remem- 

 ber when only a few gardens ornamentt'd the lands and an exhibition 

 was unknown. Horticulture has always had its charms for both the 

 rich aud the poor. Our forefathers of this Society have passed to 

 their reward ; we have a duty to perform that we may honor our pre- 

 decessors. The introduction of flowers and trees by this Society has 

 helped to beautify the landscape; Newton Hill before the Parks-Com- 

 mission system, for an illustration ; a few years ago it was a common 

 pasture, now it is crowned by trees and presents a beautiful landscape. 

 But to turn to the feature of the evening. We are favored with the 

 presence of many distinguished guests. 



The occasion will be made very interesting by the speeches which 

 are to follow, aud we are favored to-night with the presence of toast- 

 master Heury L. Parker, who will have charge of the business. 



ADDKESS OF HENEY L. PARKER. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : — 



I hope that none of you will think it is of my own free will and 

 accord that I turn up every year as your toastmaster. I suppose that 

 some of you have heard the story of the gentleman who was riding 

 along with the farmer behind the old gray mare, which he called 

 " Mary." The gentleman's curiosity was aroused. " What makes 

 you call your horse ' Mary '? " " Named her after my mother-in-law, 

 because she interferes." I said when your President asked me to 

 take this position that I thought he had better pass it along ; but he 

 was inflexible, so I bow to his authority. We have gathered here 

 to-night in response to our leader in this our own hall, paid for pretty 

 much, for it is oue of the richest societies. We have here representa- 

 tives from Rhode Island, Connecticut, and the Massachusetts Society. 

 The Mayor is here not simply to perform his duly, but because he 

 likes to come. He wants a little recreation ; he wants a little let-up 

 from the course of municipal state ; and I presume that he is now deal- 

 ing with three-cent fares, big fires, etc. He has come here for a little 

 recreation, but I am going to ask him to make a few remarks. It gives 

 me great pleasure to introduce Mayor A. B. R. Sprague as the first 

 speaker of the evening. 



Mayor A. B. R. Spuague. Mr. Toastmaster, Ladies and Gentle- 

 men : — Your last intimation of the toastmaster was to be brief, and no ; 



