1888.] TRANSACTIONS. 7 



this memorial of the Hon. Francis H. Dewey, its late 

 President and ex-officio president of this board. 



Judge Dewey was one of the first incorporators of 

 this society and a lifelong-, active member. During the 

 most, if not the entire, existence of the society, he was a, 

 member of its board of trustees. 



For many years past at each annual meeting of the 

 society he has been unaimously elected its presiding 

 officer, and in that capacity has rendered most valuable 

 service. 



With all the cares of an extremely busy life and the 

 pressing demands upon his time, he has rarely been 

 absent from our meetings. Oftentimes they have been 

 stormy sessions, when personal strife and the enmities 

 engendered by a sharp competition waxed warm. On 

 all tliese occasions he has presided with an unruffled 

 temper ; his rulings were prompt and impartial, while 

 his gentle, kindly bearing seldom failed to bring peace 

 to the troubled waters. 



He was a frequent contributor of fruit and flowers, 

 with a special fondness for floriculture, and at the weekly 

 displays of the society he was a constant visitor, show- 

 ing a special interest in the floral collections, and with 

 a genial smile and pleasant word for all whom he chanced 

 to meet. 



To an unusual degree did he possess the confidence 

 and love of our members, and his sudden demise has all 

 the force of a personal bereavement. 



Trustee James Draper said that he was one of 

 the youngest members of the Society and during 

 the past four years has been a judge on fruits, 

 etc. There had been times in this work when 

 he needed instruction in order to fairly solve a problem 



