86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ant, who should he present here at all times to lease the halls, collect the 

 rents, keep the hnildinjr in order, attend to repairs, ojien the rooms to 

 strangers interested in horticulture, visiting our city, and in various ways 

 look after the wants of the members. The change, though efiected only 

 a few months ago, has already largely enhanced the income of the Soci- 

 ety, and aided in making more widely known the high value of the halls, 

 for various purposes required hy the public, over all similar edifices in 

 our city. Its constant almost uninterrupted occupation, for three months, 

 is the best evidence of its adaptation to the wants of our citizens. An 

 important change has also been made in placing the property under the 

 control of the Finance Committee, as they are to provide means, when 

 required, for the payment of all debts and mortgages. It has been 

 thought that they could be better intrusted Avith the charge and manage- 

 ment of the building. I think you will all agree that it is in competent 

 and responsible hands. 



And here, gentlemen, you will ])ardon me for a brief allusion to our 

 late Treasurer, Capt. Austin, who for seventeen years has performed the 

 duties of the position so acceptably to all. During that long period, 

 commencing when the resources of the Society were limited, up to and 

 through the time of the erection of the hall, when the property had more 

 than quadrupled, and large amounts expended, there has been the same 

 uniform, systematic rendering of accounts, and miniiteness of detail that 

 characterize his private business. Xothing has been lost, and under his 

 careful management a great deal saved. Fortunate has the Society been 

 in the selection, as well as the keeping of sucli a faithful Ti'casurer. 

 All must regret the necessity of his resignation, in consequence of his 

 inability to attend to the increased labors of Superintendant and Treasurer 

 combined. 



In like manner I might note the resignation of tlie tried and faithful 

 Librarian, and Superintendant of our weekly exhibitions. Years of 

 constant active labor in the duties of his office have made him well known 

 to all who visit the Society's rooms. After so long a 2)eriod, devoted more 

 to the Society because he sympathized with its objects, than for pecuni- 

 ary reasons, he now, with increasing years, finds i,t necessary to relin- 

 quish his services in our behalf. We can only hope that his place will 

 be filled by others equally zealous and faithful, and that the niemorj' of 

 so many years passed among books and flowers and tempting fruits, 

 will lighten his pathway in whatever direction it may lead. 



I hardly need recount the labors and progress of four years with wliich 

 most of you are familiar. From the organization of tlie Society in 1829, 

 up to 18G2, a period of thirty-three years, with a list of members some- 

 times more and sometimes less, the entire number .Tune 1, 1862, was 571 

 The total number to-day is 936. In 1844, at the time of erecting the old 

 hall, the entire property was valued at .'?37,0.'51:.12, and the gross income 



