56 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1874. 



Massachusetts thau that which struggled for exhibition last October in 

 the Hall of Ceres. And yet there too were great collections — mere 

 numerical aggregates of species, of every one of which superior speci- 

 mens were shown by the same contributors in their single lots. 'No man 

 who proposes to contest the palm of excellence for Corn, Squashes or 

 Potatoes will risk his chances by merging his best samples in a general 

 collection, any more than he would imperil his whole hopes by first exhib- 

 iting his productions, blighting their freshness, at the poor old Hippo- 

 drome. All " general collections " in the Vegetable Department are as 

 meaningless (while they are even more cumbersome) as they have been 

 found among the Fruits. Your Secretary has no hesitation therefore, in 

 advising that all general collections, whether of Apples, Pears or \'eget- 

 ables, be abolished. That the sums thereby saved be applied to the 

 greater encouragement of the several species in the various Genera of 

 Field and Garden products. That quality be our sole aim, at the expense 

 of quantity or specific gravity — this latter with due deference to the 

 Committee on Pears. That, for example, three mangolds be accepted as 

 evidence that a cartload just like them could have beeu piled up, to the 

 annoyance of every one. 



The holding of two Autumnal Exhibitions was so novel that much 

 must be allowed for the inexperience of your Officers and Committees. 

 A similar excuse will not suffice for another year. The amount of space 

 at our command is a known quantity. The amount which can be assigned 

 to the several departments should be as exactly determined. If Cut 

 Flowers are welcomed in September they must be excluded in October 

 Where there is a will there is a way to the systematic arrangement of 

 exhibitions. Frame our new schedule of premiums with strict heed to 

 these suggestions; require its enforcement as rigidly as that of the an- 

 cient code, whereof we are told that it " altereth not," and you will find 

 that your Halls are ample for the convenient display of everything worthy. 

 For aught else let Agricultural Hall make provision. 



In apparent contradiction to the preceding recommendation may be 

 thought the advice that a special class be established in their proper 

 department for Crab Apples. But their development, both in size and 

 quality, has been so marked, of late years, that this Society would fall 

 short of its surpassing aim did it fail to take full cognizance of their 

 present absolute merit and of their prospective excellence. 



The offices of Secretary and Librarian, having been disconnected at the 

 last annual meeting of the Society, the condition of the Library will be 

 presented to you by the officer in whose charge it is placed. At his 

 request the duties of Librarian were discharged by your Secretary until 



