58 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1876. 



be afforded in the restriction of official intercourse. And, upon all 

 accounts, whether for public advantage or the credit of the Society, it is 

 greatly to be desired that we should tolerate nothing, within our power 

 to prevent, which may have even the semblance of a wish to measure or 

 stint our proffered hospitality. These meetings of the State Board of 

 Agriculture are always a benefit ; especially to the localities in which 

 they are held, and which choose to profit by their opportunities for 

 instruction. It is no argument in their disfavor that individuals may 

 attempt their perversion into occasions for personal display : or that 

 bores — of greater or less mitigation — exhaust a reluctant audience by the 

 compilation and utterance of meaningless statistics or duller platitudes. 

 There are said to be places wherein ''Angels fear to tread ; " but they are 

 never solitudes. Let it be our privilege, separating wheat from chnff, to 

 extract its nutriment from the oug and to disperse the other to the four 

 winds. Let us, if we sit at the feet of Gamaliel, gather up his words of 

 wisdom, nor reproach the sage, should his feebler disciples sometimes 

 maunder. 



The property of the Society, of whatsoever nature, has been kept 

 throughout the past year in an admirable condition. For this pleasant 

 state of affairs, in such marked contrast to what was customary when 

 the hall was suffered to become an object of speculation, our thanks are 

 due to the efficiency and vigilance of our Librarian and Treasurer. Nor 

 should it be forgotten that we have been fortunate in the character of 

 our tenants, the prospective loss of one of whom is looked forward to 

 with regret. It is not unlikely that improvements in Horticultural Hall 

 may soon be required of us, alike in our own interest and in justice to 

 the occupants of the stores upon the first floor. Competition is so active, 

 the relation between supply and demand has become so close, that the 

 owner whose building offers the most conveniences can command the 

 most desirable tenants. This Society has never countenanced extortion, 

 nor desired to take undue advantage of the necessities of those with 

 whom it has so long sustained a pleasant connection. It will doubtless 

 appreciate the effect upon real estate situated like our own, of the occupa- 

 tion of the Union Railway Station, and authorize the Trustees to gratify 

 a request which seems but reasonable, that the first floor should be better 

 adapted to its uses. 



For several years past the Society has endeavored to stimulate the 

 introduction of new varieties of Pears, by offering premiums for the 

 fruit of specified kinds. The cost of a single tree of a new variety is very 

 considerable, while even of scions it is by no means trifling. Besides, 

 the cultivator is liable to be imposed upon, having palmed off upon him 



