1872.] RKPORT OF SECRETARY AND LIP.RARIAN. 61 



When the changinj^ leaves of autumn aruunil us thiekly Tall, 



And every tliinj; seems sorrowful and saddeninir. 

 Rohin may lie heard on the corner of a wall 

 Singing what is solacing and gladdening. 

 And sure, from what I've heard, 

 He's God's own little bird. 

 And sings to those in grief just to amuse 'em : 

 But once he sat forlorn 

 On a cniol Crown of Thorn, 

 And the blood it stained his pretty little bosom. 



It is recommended that application be again made at the next Session 

 of the General Court, for such amendment of existing Statutes as shall 

 furnish an adequate remedy in the premises; and for an investigation by 

 competent and imprejudiced persons of the habits of both Insects and 

 Birds, to the end that the least informed among us may be taught to dis- 

 criminate in some manner, however imperfect, between his garden friends 

 and foes. 



Your action, as a corporate body, is also invited upon the recent change 

 in the Statutes regulating the Post Ottice Department, to the prejudice of 

 Horticulture, without any compensating advantage. Heretofore it has 

 been permitted to send Seeds, Grafts, Plants and Cuttings, by mail, at 

 the rate of two (2) cents for every four (4) ounces, in quantities of not 

 more than four (4) pounds. Under this wise relaxation of former re- 

 strictions, a large business had grown up, in the traffic and exchange be- 

 tween remote parts of the Kepublic, of articles superfluous here but 

 desirable there. This provision of the law, beneficial to all and hurtful to 

 none, was alteied, at the last Session of Congress, so as to reduce the 

 hmit of weight to twelve (12) ounces. The effect of .such a narrow re- 

 striction can be best illustrated by a citation from the GarO(ner''s Ifonthh/ 

 which says that " as for living vegetation, where so much of packing 

 " material has to be employed to preserve them fresh and from injury by 

 " the pressure of other mail matter, the postal limit will be reached before 

 "the plant is enclosed." A formal vote of the Trustees is solicited, 

 authorizing the Secretary to memorialize Congress, at its next Session, 

 for a restoration of the former liberal provision of the law. 



Only the merest official intercourse has occurred between this Society 

 and the Department of Agriculture. Punctually, once. a year, comes a 

 curt and formal note from the Commissioner, desiring to be informed of 

 the character of the organization of this Society, with the names of its 

 President and Secretary. The penalty of withholding such information, 

 so the note proceeds to state, will be the withdrawal of the innumerable 

 and indescribable benefits showered upon all good societies towards which 

 the Department turns its vivifying rays. In panic terror lest this dire 



