76 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1876. 



" which renders it in appearance quite distinct. The synonyms here given 

 " are all referrable to this one variety, and which is the one generally 

 *• grown, and known in this country as the Red Dutch." 



How many of our own growers have been robbed of money and time 

 by this disguise of an old favorite variety under a new and sonorous 

 name ! 



The official position which he now occupies, has been held by your 

 Secretary, with scarcely an intermission, for half a generation. Within 

 that period the Society has undergone many changes Few remain of 

 the familiar faces that he was accustomed to see at the Annual or Week- 

 ly Meetings. Many have fallen like the leaves of Autumn, while others 

 were snatched prematurely away from a happy and useful existence. 

 Some have ceased to feel the interest in Horticulture that they experi- 

 enced in more youthful days, leaving it to those of us, who regard it as 

 the bounden duty of some one, to bear the burden that has been lifted 

 from their shoulders. And, even to us the task may, at times, appear 

 monotonous. But so is all duty, which, nevertheless, must be discharged. 

 We can only do what lies in our power, feeling assured that no well- 

 meant effort for the benefit of our kind is ever losi, and finding consola- 

 tion, amid neglect or indifference, in the knowledge that no selfish or 

 corrupt ambition has inspired or directed our labors. What aim thosQ 

 labors should take has been suggested, even to wearisomeness, in these 

 Reports. Their proper direction, as apparent to others, was never more 

 clearly set forth than in the Gardener'' s Chronicle.— so long the mouth- 

 piece and organ of the lamented Lindley :— 



" But apart from mere trade interests, what the Horticulturists want, 

 " and what a Horticultural Society should supply them with, is a central 

 " association which should promote the introduction and displa}' of new, 

 " and of improved varieties of old Plants, whether useful or ornamental, 

 " which should carry on independent experimental trials to test the value 

 " of new introductions, which should undertake experimental observa- 

 " tions in Vegetable Physiology, and other branches of Science of cardi- 

 " nal importance to the interests of Horticulture, but which are of such a 

 " nature that no private individual, and especially no one who has his 

 " commercial interests to consider, could do for himself. It should keep 

 " before the public the dignity of Horticultural pursuits, demonstrate 

 " their importance as a branch" of experimental science, and bring home 

 " to those who only look at matters from a £ s. d. point of view, the im-' 

 " mense national and financial importance of Horticultural Science, when 

 " properly directed and applied to the relief of man's estate and the en- 

 " hancement of his nobler faculties." 



Which is all respectfully submitted, by 



EDWARD WINSLOW LINCOLN, 



HoRTicuLTUKAL. Hall, November 1, a., d., 1876. 



