94 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



^DDR^SS OF THE pR^SIDENT, yl. F, C. WyDE, 

 AT THE ANNUAL ME?:T1N0, JANUARY 1, 1870. 



Gentlemen: — 



A kind Providence having brought us through all the changes and 

 vicissitudes of the past we meet to exchange congratulations as we stand 

 ready to enter the opening portals of the new year. It is well for us to 

 stop at the mile stones on life's high road, to look back over all the way 

 we have travelled, that we may, if possible, profit by the past and form 

 new plans for the future. I can but thank you all most kindly for the 

 high compliment you have paid me, by again electing me to fill the 

 important office of President of this honorable Society. 



Relying upon your forbearance in the future, as I have in the past, I 

 accept the position with its duties and responsibilities. 



We meet together on one common level for one common purpose, to 

 promote the cause we love. Some from the farm, some from the 

 garden, still otliers from the busy marts of trade, all to bow and wor- 

 ship at the shrine of Flora and Pomona. 



Our enthusiasm, never damped by winter's cold or summer's heat! 

 Lovers of nature, we never tire of sounding her praises! 



Our wise Father implanted this love in the breasts of our first 

 parents, and placed them where they could enjoy the beauties of Nat- 

 ure. We are among the fortunate number of those who have inherited 

 this love for the beautiful. Nothing affords us so much happiness as 

 rural life in its various phases. 



The past season was on the whole a favoraV)]e one. The rose show 

 was in every respect a decided success, and a better display was made 

 than ever before. The exhibition of flowers through the season was 

 never equalled, and it is a satisfaction to know, that our weekly exhibi- 

 tions have been more largely attended by the public than for many 

 years. We are pleased to believe that the people are coming to api)re- 

 ciate such exhibitions. More could have been done in the floral depart- 

 ment, but for the lack of means. With the increase that has been voted 

 by the Society, making the total amount two thousand dollars, to be 

 appropriated this year in premiums, we can reasonably hope that still 

 greater improvement will be made in this as in every other department. 

 We wish the sum was even larger, and we hope the Society will 



