1891.] TRANSACTIONS. 9 



cent work for nearly half a century. With increasing resources ; 

 with the augmented facilities that you have, this day, authorized ; 

 why may not the little finger of our successors become thicker 

 than our loins ! There should be no collision ; there need lie no 

 interference. But we should teach Botany, in all its relations, 

 by precept and example, even as did our Founders, in the old 

 Town Hall, long years before the birth of this Society. And, 

 as Terraeculturists, we should never forget that the worst use to 

 which the earth can be degraded, is to make it a receptacle for 

 talents buried in a napkin. 



Once more re-assembled ; under a roof renewed ; and, in halls 

 amplified ; multiplied ; and, no less, — adorned with a refinement 

 of taste that commends its own praise ; it may well be a theme 

 for profitable meditation : — 



How does it happen that in a small iJiland city of extreme 

 Nevj England, there should he a prosperous Horticultural So- 

 ciety possessed of a valuable estate, a choice library, abundant 

 furniture, and therefore fully equipped for its sj)ecial purpose of 

 existence, to wit: '■'■ Advancing tlie Science and Encouraging and 

 Improving the Practice of Horticulture"? 



When and how were those properties early acquired, and sub- 

 sequently assured? By economy, self-denial and thrift ; or by a 

 lavish bestowal of earnings and income, in the form of award 

 which, as honest men, the Society has no right to confer in wan- 

 ton disregard of obligations deliberately assumed ! The very first 

 entry upon the books of your earliest Treasurer,* to whose strin- 

 gent fidelity and constant interest your debt can never be repaid, 

 acknowledges the receipt of One Dollar ($1) from William Lin- 

 coln to constitute him a Member. That occurred October 13, 

 A. D. 1840, at the very crown and height of a harvest-tide 

 unique for its yield of cider (" hard," — from some perversity of 

 taste) ; and in the two days following, Sixty-Five (65) addi- 

 tional Members were secured. By untiring effort and hearty 

 co-operation, aided by a contribution of choice flowers and fruits 

 from zealous Horticulturists elsewhere (from Salem — notal>ly), 

 an Exhibition was held on those days, to which admittance 



♦Frederic William Paine. 



