1872] REPORT OF SECRRTAUY AND LII5RARIAN. 57 



attention, of none l>esicles, was theie such studied neglect. The evident 

 dawning of a better da}' is welcome. 



The length of time during which the currant may be made to yield, is 

 not the least of its signal merits. Tiie iirst quart of the 'growth of the 

 present year was visible upon our tables on the eleventh day of July. 

 You could scarcely trust your own eyesight when you beheld a dish of 

 perfectly fresh and sound specimens at the Annual Autumnal Exhibition, 

 on the ITtli of September. That the currant can be thus kept in its j)rime 

 ui on the bush, has been no secret to experienced cultivators. Credit is 

 however due to Mr. Joseph E. Phelps, for the ocular demonstration of 

 the fact which he alforded upon that occasion. It only remains to add 

 that the exhibition of 1872, conlirms l)eyond all question the unapproached 

 pre-eminence of La Versaillaise for excellence and fecundity 



Our Floral Exhibitions throughout the Summer manifested an in- 

 creased interest on the part of members, and, as a practical consequence, 

 attracted a steadily augmenting attendance. It is recommended that even 

 more attention be devoted to this portion of our wide province, and that 

 a field of usefulness so fruitful of possibilities be stimulated to its utmost 

 cai)acity. The prosperity of the Society will be found to depend, as the 

 City of Worcester expands and is built up over its suburbs, upon the 

 countenance and co-operation of the fairer portion of the community. 

 I<]ven now the Apple-orchard can only be found upon the Farm. When 

 the application of the law of betterments shall have rendered the culture 

 of tlie Pear, upon a Town-lot, too costly, it will be necessary to call for 

 assistance from the owners of green-houses and parlor jardinets. And, 

 in the complete development of Floriculture will be laid, broad and deep 

 the foundations of our ultimate success. Higher premiums when thought 

 advisable; careful discrimination in making awards; these and all things 

 else that may facilitate our progress, are earnestly commended to your 

 favor. 



In this connection it may be proper to suggest the expediency of estab- 

 lishing a line of demarcation between the collections of the Amateur and 

 Professional Gardeners. It is impossible for them to contest the palm of 

 superiority upon equal teims: it is therefore unjust to exact it. The dis- 

 crimination proposed is fair and apparently free from valid objection. At 

 least the experiment might be tried, and, if found impracticable when 

 tested, the novel step could be retraced. 



A tabular statement of the entries for the past official year, together 

 with a similar table showing the number of articles exhibited during the 

 entire peiiod subsequent to the transfer of the Library to its present lo- 

 cation, is herewith submitted: 



8 



