1892.] FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. 39 



had accummulated. This sum was augmented by a generous 

 bequest from Daniel Waldo of $3,000. With this fund as a 

 nucleus a hall in Waldo Block on Main street was leased and 

 its nomadic life ceased. 



The financial afi'airs of the Society continued however to be 

 carefully managed. Annual interest was added to principal, and 

 the profits of exhibitions added to that, until in 1850, the Society 

 bought its present location and erected the Hall which we 

 now occupy and which is known as Horticultural Hall. The 

 cost of the building however far exceeded the resources of 

 the Society. It was for a long time heavily mortgaged, but the 

 investment proved a good one in the end. The indebtedness 

 was gradually reduced. Two generous gifts from Stephen 

 Salisbury the elder, on two difierent occasions — one of $2,000 

 and another of $3,000 contributing largely to its reduction. 



At last at the annual meeting in 1890, the Treasurer in his 

 report made the pleasant announcement that the last installment 

 of principal and interest was paid, and the Society free from 

 debt. 



But it was not for long. It became necessary for the preser- 

 vation and proper management of the property to make some 

 immediate repairs and certain alterations. To' accomplish this 

 purpose another small incumbrance was placed upon the Hall. 

 The interest upon this investment however, will be more than 

 met by the increased rental to be realized from enlarged and 

 more convenient quarters. 



The advancement of the science and practice of Horticulture 

 which the past fifty years have witnessed, is no less marvellous 

 than the other changes which have been going on about us. 

 At the time of the organization of this Society, there were but 

 six commercial florists in the whole of Massachusetts. To-day 

 she has four hundred and seven, the annual value of whose plant 

 sales is $594,000, and of its cut-flower sales $1,036,000. 



In the entire United States at the date of the organization of 

 this Society there were but thirty commercial florists. To-day 

 there are 4659, tlie annual value of whose sales of plants 

 amounts to $12,036,000, and its cut-flower sales to $14,175,000. 



