MR. hovey's address. 87 



$3,2.50. With many liberal and tiinclj" donations since then, the accum- 

 ulation from Mount Auburn, and the sale of the old hall, the property 

 was valued January 1, 1862, at $92,625.91, and the gross income .$10,550. 

 The property to-day, January 5, 1867, is valued at $270,000, and this 

 without taking into account the largely increased value of the land on 

 which the building stands, and the gross income foi: 18C0, $30,350. Yet 

 during the last twenty years the Society has awarded in prizes and 

 medals upwards of $50,000. It is a record of which any similar insti- 

 tution might be ]3roud. 



In my brief remarks before you at the time of my inauguration, I al- 

 luded to the very great importance of offering liberal j^rizes, and have 

 since kept the subject before you, and it is especially gratifying to be 

 able to state, that the Society, from its good position has increased the 

 prizes gradually, during four years, from $3000 to $3600. In addition 

 to this there is the most acceptable donation of Mr. Ilunnewell, for 

 the encouragement of the rose, to the amount of ,$500, making the sum, 

 if there should be no further increase, of $4100 for 1868. If there is any 

 subject I would request you to keep constantly in remembrance, it is the 

 continued increase of prizes. 



I can congratulate you, therefore, upon the very prosperous state of 

 affairs. IN"othing seems to be wanting which could give the Society ad- 

 ditional vigor and force. It enters upon the new year under auspices 

 which must be cheering to all. With its building finished, its fine 

 halls affording ample space for the exhibitions, with its greatly aug- 

 mented income, and the fair prospect of such an increase that it will ere 

 long be enabled to cancel its mortgages, and offer prizes equal to the 

 object it desires to encourage, with its list of members nearly doubled, 

 and with a President active and zealous in the cause, whose pomological 

 attainments will give to the Society that distinction which it has ever 

 been jealous to maintain, it cannot but go on reaping new honors, and 

 gathering fresh reno^vn. 



I have little to add : yet in leaving the position I have held for four 

 years, I desire again to urge you to renewed exertions in your round of 

 duties, as members, as exhibitors, as cultivators, as lovers of plants and 

 flowers, of trees and Shrubs, or of fruits and vegetables. The standard 

 of horticulture in Massachusetts, and in our city and its neighborhood in 

 particular, is high. I think it was the late Mr. Downing who said, in some 

 remarks upon the progress of horticulture, that Boston was fifty years 

 in advance of ISTew York. But this I take to be a slip of the pen. That 

 we are more advanced I do not think will admit of a douljt. But whether 

 true or not, we wish to maintain the high standard and reputation alreadv 

 reached, and cal! upon the members of our Society to do their part in 

 the work. 



Our country advances with almost frightful rapidity in every branch 

 of iulustry and material wealth. The telegraph is already too slow. 



