8 WORCESTER COUNTT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 1890.] 



always to be deferred until the change can be shown a gain be- 

 yond peradveuture. Tlie Committee can therefore merely report 

 progress, and ask that yonr trust be extended. An element that 

 should enter into the consideration of the matter — perhaps con- 

 trol its decision — must be the determination by the Society of its 

 policy for future years. If our resources and time are to be sur- 

 rendered to exhibitions, as now; virtually compelling a reliance 

 upon the same, or augmented, sources of income ; why then we 

 must take effectual measures to set competition at defiance. We 

 must simply improve and augment the conveniences that we 

 would lease, so as to put them above and beyond successful 

 rivalry. Concede a pleasant nomenclature to Colonial, or Ideal, 

 Halls ! But the colonies have become States and the practical in 

 rush and whirl of existence succeeds the ideal. Or, if there is 

 aught in a name ? Where will you find a more felicitous desig- 

 nation than is supplied by Ceres, Flora or Pomona ? If, how- 

 ever, we adopt the conclusion that the science and practice of 

 Horticulture are better advanced and improved in other ways 

 than those that we have followed so undeviatingly for a half-cen- 

 tury, then our present accommodations may appear all-sufficient 

 for every legitimate use. As students in the various branches of 

 our favorite pursuit, we can find now, if we will, every desirable 

 facility for freshman or senior. Suppliants for popular patron- 

 age, we must conform to, preferably, anticipate the public wants. 

 Masters of our own aims and intentions, and content with our 

 actual resources, we have only to assure ourselves that they are 

 applied in such manner that we cannot be reproached with bury- 

 ing our talent in a napkin or wasting it upon our own perverted 

 and selfish cravings. 

 It was also 



Voted, on motion of Charles E. Parker, that " so much of the 

 Secretary's report as relates to taxation of Horticultural Hall be 

 referred to the Finance Committee, with power to act." 



The contention of your Secretary, as you will doubtless recall 

 to mind, having been that this Society ought not to rest satisfied 

 with the law that governs the assessment of its property for pub- 

 lic purposes : the very property being held and administered in 



