16 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1890. 



an organization whose serried tread should, later, shake the very 

 town. The theatre ! Who, in those " orthodox " days, while the 

 echo of Beecher's thunder from the pulpit of the Old South was 

 yet vibrant in the atmosphere, would have dreamt of seeing 

 Thespis save literally dragged at the tail of his own cart, thank- 

 ing his stars if he escaped the pillory or whipping post and was 

 not obliged to carry a second or third mortgage ! The Con- 

 tinental uniform had faded into a memory. And, if the eye was 

 annually directed to a muster of the Light Infantry, it was only 

 to excite pity for the absurd dream that armed militia could ever 

 become needful in a Republic like our own. In such an idyllic 

 season of Arcadian peace, there was ample room and occupation 

 for this Society. Its calm pursuits might well culminate in the 

 Autumnal Harvest-tide, when abundant fruition was celebrated 

 in rural leisure. Under such propitious auspices our foundations 

 were laid, — broad and deep : so deep and broad that upon them 

 the structure of our prosperity has been built and maintained, 

 down to the present day. But now, when amusements of all 

 sorts, occupations of every variety, and, shall I add — vacuity ? 

 claim time and attention ; now, — when life is harassed with per- 

 plexity, in its effort to meet the problem, — what can I omit that 

 I may the better devote myself to this which must not be neg- 

 lected ? does not the question recur with imperative urgency : 

 Are exhibitions of Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, etc., etc., the 

 sole — nay, the best method A. D. 1890, and in the years to 

 come, of 



" Promoting the science, and encouraging and improving the 

 practice, of Horticulture ! " 



All this conceded, — you may say, — aimless purpose or inert 

 action, what do you advise ? What shall be the remedy ? But 

 if there is a malady, does not the diagnosis take precedence ? 

 Can the physician invariably prescribe wisely ? Is there any- 

 body but your average Representative in Congress whose pre- 

 rogative is omniscience ? Your Secretary does not arrogate in- 

 fallibility : only that conviction and faith which is based upon 

 the observation of a lifetime, whereof more than thirty years 

 have been largely occupied in your official service. And this, at 



