1876.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. 5? 



of the Centennial Exhibition and the inevitable fatigue of its visitors are 

 considered. And over and beyond all — creating depression and fore- 

 boding sadness — was the enforced absence of President Wilder, in 

 whose illness was universal sympathy, and without whom any attempt at 

 festivity seemed a cheerless mockery. 



Criticism of the Horticultural Exhibition in the halls of the Pennsylva- 

 nia Society would be an ungracious return for an act of hospitality. But 

 surprise may well find expression at such a meagre display, from a field 

 so extensive and fertile. Take away the collections of Ellwanger & 

 Barry, and of Marshall P. Wilder, from a distance ; and of two or three 

 large cultivators from the immediate vicinity, and what remained would 

 scarcely compare favorably with the average at our weekly exhibitions. 

 Some fine plants were staged — the property of wealthy amateurs ; but 

 the Floral Designs were in funereal and the worst possible taste. 



It would be wrong to dismiss this subject, without some acknowledge- 

 ment of the unvarying courtesy experienced by all your delegates to 

 Philadelphia, as attested by their common consent. Countless questions 

 answered with unfailing civility ; direction given to distant objects of 

 interest, at personal inconvenience, by utter strangers ; a cheerful readi- 

 ness to oblige at all times, and everywhere ; these slight but inestimable 

 amenities of casual intercourse could not but impress all of us, who had 

 trusted our lives to that avarice which crowded the Sound Steamers to 

 suffocation and answered natural remonstrance with innate boorishness. 

 To have had even temporary acquaintance with such a people will ever 

 be a source of pleasant memories. Such oases in life's waste are not so 

 numerous that one can be passed without recognition. 



At a special meeting of the Trustees, on the 20th day of February 

 ultimo, it was voted : " That the use of the Hall and the Library of the 

 Society be tendered to the State Board of Agriculture, during its country 

 meeting, which is to commence on the Fourteenth (14th) day of Novem- 

 ber proximo." 



Also, voted : " That in the event of an acceptance of this invitation, 

 there be held simultaneously, in one of the Halls of the Society, a Free 

 Exhibition of Flowers and Fruits grown any where within the State." 



No reply was ever received by your Secretary, to his letter conveying 

 your invitation. He has reason to believe, however, that it was gratefully 

 accepted. It will therefore devolve upon this Society to adopt such 

 measures as may commend themselves, in order to give complete effect 

 to those votes of the Trustees. A public and social Reception, in the 

 evening, suggests itself, whereat delegates and visitors may have an 

 opportunity of becoming better acquainted with each other than would 



