1863.] secretary's report. 57 



Baldwin, Esq. ; Transactions Rhode Island Society for encouraging Domestic 

 Industry, two pamphlets, from Clarendon Harris, Esq. ; Ninth Annual Report 

 Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, 1861, from Charles L. Flint, Esq.; Fifth 

 Annual Report of Commissioners Central Park, N. Y., 1862, from F. W. 

 Paine, Esq. It will be noticed that the Library has but slightly increased in 

 the mere number of volumes. But it must be remembered that the works 

 devoted to any one special subject of human investigation or taste, are quite 

 limited. Most writers upon horticulture, as upon cognate pursuits, publish the 

 fruits of their researches in the periodicals of the day, whose regular issue 

 enables an author to keep his views in all their freshness steadily before the 

 public mind. Of Horticultural Magazines, it is believed that we have a sufiBci- 

 eney. But it is not doubted that much might be done, by the active and cor- 

 dial co-operation of members, to secure by donation many valuable and desir- 

 able accessions to our collection. Beyond such individual aid, the undersigned 

 can only advise a continuance of the present method, by which the permanent 

 development of the Library is certainly, if somewhat slowly, ensured. It is 

 vStill less likely than heretofore that many books will be published which it will 

 be indispensable to procure by purchase. 



By a comparison of the record for the past year with that of its predeces- 

 sors, it will be found that the advantages of the library have been more gen- 

 erally improved since its transfer to Horticultural Hall. Prior to that event 

 there had been, with the exception of a single year, a steady and progressive 

 diminution in the number of volumes taken out by members. In 1858 the 

 number was 75; in 1859, 42; in 1860, 72; in 1861, 64; and from Feb. 27th, 

 1862, 114. In addition, the books in the Library have been extensively used 

 for consultation and reference during the weekly meetings. 



The Committee upon the subject of a re-location of the library, in their report, 

 made use of the following argument : 



" One consideration of general policy, not aifecting the Library, deserves 

 attention. This building constitutes the whole property of the Society, from 

 which its revenue is derived. The value of this Hall, as a place of public 

 assemblage and patronage depends, in some measure, upon the manner in 

 which and the purpose for which it is used. The valuable Library of the 

 Society deposited here, if bringing with it weekly, or even casual, meetings of 

 the members, could not fail to influence, in some degree, the general estima- 

 tion of this property by the public." 



These anticipations, it is but simple truth to say, have been more than real- 

 ized. For, simultaneous with the removal of the Library and its permanent 

 location in the Hall of the Society, a system of voluntary weekly exhibitions of 

 Flowers and Fruits was commenced, which has been continued with marked 

 success to the present day. These exhibitions, dating from the 27th day of 

 February, 1862, sometimes rendered instructive by discussions and by the state- 

 ment of matured experience, were almost invariably illustrated by the display 

 and actual trial of a great variety of Fruits, whether of the better-known sorts, 

 or of the newer and rarer species. Our larger cultivators, from their well- 



