1864.] secretary's report. 73 



such in genuine utility. Surely, yes — if he is the greatest benefactor of his 

 race who causes two blades of grass to spring where but one grew before. 

 The circulation of the volumes has increased in 186.S, although upon the 

 removal of the Library in 18G2 its shelves presented almost a terra incognifa, 

 at once stimulating and rewarding research. Several valuable works have been 

 added to the catalogue, as will more fully appear in the subjoined list. Many 

 more have been derived from individual donation : than which no more profit- 

 able mode of manifesting liberality and continued interest in the Society could 

 be devised. In this latter class, and especially worthy of mention, is the gift 

 by our retiring President, Mr. Jaques, and by that efficient Trustee, .Jonathan 

 Grout, Esq., of the " Official Transactions of the American Pomological 

 Society," for many years, thus snj)plying an almost unbroken series of a publi- 

 cation incalculably precious to a Library like ours, and wholly unattainable 

 otherwise. Some hopes have been held out l)y one of our Vice Presidents, 

 that the deficient numbers may be found in his collection. But even should 

 the series continue imperfect, the gratitude of the Society is none the less due 

 to Messrs. .Taques and Grout for their almost entire success in making it 

 complete. 



The members of the Society can scarcely have failed to notice upon the walls 

 of the Library, in startling contrast with those grim pictures of the Crimean 

 war, belonging to the Worcester Light Infantry, a collection of engravings 

 peculiarly appropriate to their location. No pomologist will require a voucher 

 for their singular fidelity to nature, from which of itself he would deduce their 

 superiority as works of art. These pictures have consoled your. Committee on 

 all other Fruits, who, in their vain search for Peaches, Plums and Quinces, 

 have found, if not what they sought, at least its "counterfeit presentment." 

 For the engravings entitled respectively "Summer'' and "Autumn,"' the Soci- 

 ety is indebted to Mr. Edward Earle, whose interest in horticulture continues 

 unabated, but whose time, unfortunately for the Society, has recently been but 

 too closely monopolized by the Commonwealth. Henry Woodward, Esq., is 

 the generous donor of the two fruit pieces without designation, of somewhat 

 more elaborate character, and of at least equal ornament and value as additions 

 to the Library. 



Annexed is a list of the additions made by donation and purchase to the 

 Library of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, during the year ISG.'i; 



1. A Catalogue of Fruits Cultivated in the Garden of the Horticultural 

 Society, London; pamphlet edition, 1842. Presented by Samuel H. Colton. 



2. Proceedings of the National Convention of Fruit Growers in 1848. 

 Presented by George Jaques. 



3. Proceedings of the National Convention of Fruit Growers in 1849. 

 Presented by George Jaques. 



4. Transactions of the Second Session of the American Pomological Society 

 in 1852. Presented by George Jaques. 



5. Transactions of the Third Session of the American Pomological Society 

 in 1854. Presented by George Jaques. 



