42 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1896. 



adding great variety and a wealth of beauty to our exhi- 

 bitions. 



The exhibitions of vegetables continue to improve, and the 

 specimens for exhibition are, as a rule, especially well selected. 

 Every season brings forth something new, proving interesting 

 and well worthy of cultivation. More exhibition space is 

 required in each recurring season. The interest of visitors 

 in this department is especially manifest, as good vegetables 

 contribute largely to good living. 



Ornamental Trees constitute a portion of the vegetable king- 

 dom in its broader sense, and, while they cannot be brought to 

 our exhibition halls, they can, and do, ornament our grounds. 

 They do add to refined taste and beautify the landscape. They 

 have never received any encouragement from our Society by 

 awards of premiums, but their importance should be encouraged 

 in the beautifying of parks, farms, and all grounds where 

 ornament contributes to the landscape and a more refined 

 culture. The variety is yearly increasing, both by new sorts 

 raised from seed and by importations from other countries. 



On the whole I may in brief congratulate our members that 

 we maintain a good standing among the Horticultural Societies, 

 being at least second in wealth and influence amono^ the societies 

 of this country. Our interests are on the increase, and after 

 fifty-four years of devoted labor we may feel justly proud of 

 our inheritance and whatsoever we have added. All of this has 

 been consummated by a steady and judicious course of conserva- 

 tive and wholesome management. We have not embraced with 

 both arms eveiy phantom that presents itself, which has often 

 proved the embarrassment or ruin of so many Societies, but 

 have maintained a judicious and well directed course, within 

 our means, which has so largely contributed to our success. It 

 is not my purpose at this time to elaborate, but merely to throw 

 out a few hints, and afford time for the discussion which may 

 follow. 



We all naturally feel grateful for the success of the Society, 

 in its sound financial condition and its usefulness to its members, 

 and the gratification received by the general public at our 

 exhibitions, which are free to all. 



