40 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1896. 



beginner to higher and more persistent eiFort ; the ingenuity of 

 each contributor of fruit, flower or vegetable is brought out for 

 inspection, and increases as time goes on. The cunning hand of 

 nature assisted by the hand of man proves a charming weekly 

 temptation to all, as the ripe years wane. Thus has Horticul- 

 ture advanced through the work and influence of this organized 

 Society, from the crude and imperfect culture of the earlier 

 times, to the high standard attained at present, and as we pro- 

 gress the horticulturist will continue by intelligent work to 

 advance both in practical and scientific art, in growing and 

 crossing with the tendency to produce new and desirable kinds 

 of fruits, flowers and vegetables, so necessary for the health 

 and happiness of life. 



When we review what has already been accomplished in the 

 past half-century by the interchange of trees and plants, also of 

 personal experience afforded at the weekly meetings, can any 

 one correctly estimate the progress of the remainder of the 

 century? By the foresight and wisdom of the gentlemen who 

 founded this Society, we enjoy this beautiful hall most admira- 

 bly planned and fully equipped for all the purposes of our 

 Society. I believe I am the only person living* who attended 

 the meeting when the committee of seven (7) was chosen to 

 purchase the site whereon this building stands. It required at 

 that time men of broad gauge and courage to attempt the 

 purchase of land and erect a building adapted to the uses of 

 this Society. The limited fund at that time, 1850, amounted 

 to 5,126 dollars, the land cost 6,847 dollars, and the building 

 11,278 dollars when first constructed. Since that time it has 

 been altered and improved at two different times at an expense 

 far greater than the original outlay. We now have very 

 beautiful halls, both in style of architecture and convenience, 

 most admirably situated and suited to the purposes of the 

 Society, and they are very popular and well patronized by the 

 general public. In making these changes the Society found it 

 necessary to incur indebtedness to a considerable amount, which 

 is being liquidated by annual payments of both principal and 



*The Secretary takes exception to the breadth of this statement. 



