1891.] TRANSACTIONS. 21 



Pomological history : ' ' It was a revelation in Worcester 

 County Horticulture, to see such mammoth Baldwins, Green- 

 ings, and Hubbardstons, as were shown." It would seem that 

 an afternoon, or evening, as the Society might find most con- 

 venient, were well and worthily employed in listening to their 

 ripe experience as told by those whom we selected to bestow 

 our awards. The discipline would be valuable to the Judges 

 themselves ; compelling them to take note, upon the spot, of the 

 impressions of the current hour ; and by so much enabling them 

 to frame a more vivid presentment of the salient features of 

 successive displays in their several departments. The question- 

 ing and discussion that ensued would be easy and natural. 

 Such meetings should be of value alike to both Members and 

 Judges. If, as a possible result, they should tend to open the 

 eyes of the average reporter for the press, enlarging his mind 

 without swelling his head, mayhap; teaching him, and no less 

 his employers, that, in the curriculum of Worcester Universitj^ 

 a bare catalogue of awards is not even a skeleton statement of 

 the service rendered to the practice and science of Horticulture 

 by our especial docents ; the exact report, the enlightened 

 audience, and the lesson profiered without money or price, will 

 not be wasted. 



The question now presents itself: — What shall be the policy 

 of the Society in the immediate future? We will assume as 

 a matter of course, that the " Science of Horticulture is to be 

 advanced ; its practice encouraged and improved," — hereafter as 

 of yore. How? In what manner, and to what extent, shall 

 this be done to the best advantage ! Exhibitions have been held 

 annually ; monthly ; of late, for a succession of years, weekly. 

 Held without monetary bounty until the struggling Society 

 had emerged from its difficulties ; and thenceforth maintained, 

 as increasing means permitted, under the stimulus of sub- 

 stantial awards. And here the newer and more perplexing 

 doubt intrudes ; nor will be dismissed with a contemptuous 

 shrug, or sneer ; is not the money-award like all stimulus or 

 factitious incentive, in danger of becoming the end rather than 



a means ! Could we hold an Exhibition, unless we ottered a 

 3 



