60 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1871. 



are fewer in number tliau a quarter of a century ago. Our foremost 

 and trustiest friends are tlie veterans ; their sons and daughters for the 

 most part have otlier interests. 



Our Library is undoubtedly the best of its kind in New England, 

 outside of Boston ; the statistics of its use. appear to show a consider- 

 able appreciation of its value ; but the briefest analysis of the records 

 shows that the greater part of the loans of books and periodicals have 

 been made to some half dozen individuals whom perhaps I need not 

 name. The general use of the Library is really far less than would 

 be supposed possible, in view of its size and value. 



The weekly meetings give to an unj)rejudiced spectator no striking 

 evidence of a general public interest. The statistics of contributions 

 are somewhat impressive when summed up at the end of a year ; but 

 were a certain faithful few to withdraw their support from these little 

 gatherings, there would be a woful .shrinkage in the figures. In a 

 word, I am coftvinced that this Society shows few evidences of healthy 

 growth and vigor. 



The causes of this tendency to de*-line, (for with us, not to advance 

 is to fall back,) are especially two : — 1st. Our building is no longer a 

 proper ])]a,ce for the Headquarters of the Society. 2d. By going- 

 over the same ground year after year, the pathway of routine which 

 was once a convenient guide has been worn into ruts and become too 

 familiar and monotonous. 



Tt is a mistake, for instance, to make the Annual Exhibition the 

 single occasion in which a general i)ublic interest is expected. The 

 sameness which must characterize the productions of almost the same 

 set of contributors at identical seasons of successive years, miist 

 deaden the lively enthusiasm which is naturally aroused by tlie first 

 view of such a display as our society annually sets forth. American 

 Horticultural Societies have always held the great exhibition of the 

 year in the Autumn, obviously because of the great prominence in 

 them of fruit and vegetables. The unavoidable result is a certain 

 sameness and monotony year after year. The Pears of this year are 

 to the unlearned in Pomology just the same as those of last year and 

 the year before. Every September matures nearly the same list of 

 Vegetables, and adorns our flower gardens with blossoms and foliage 

 which though ever beautiful are rarely novel except in name. 



Can we escape this evil of monotony by changing the season of 



