REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN FOR 

 THE YEAR 1910. 



The work of the Society during the year 1910 has been somewhat 

 interrupted by reason of proposed alterations of the interior of 

 the building in order to adapt the halls for more general public- 

 uses and thereby to increase the income from rentals. 



After a careful study of the several plans presented it was at 

 length decided by the Trustees to indefinitely postpone the pro- 

 posed changes. The expense of the alterations was found to be so 

 great that it was deemed inadvisable to proceed further in the 

 matter. A new hard-wood floor was laid in the large exhibition 

 hall during the summer which has improved the appearance of the 

 hall and has already paid for its cost in additional rentals of the 

 building. 



For these reasons the publication of the usual Schedule of Prizes 

 and Exhibitions for the year was suspended, notwithstanding which 

 four important exhibitions have been given which are briefly men- 

 tioned herewith, and are more fully referred to in the several 

 reports of the Chairmen of the various committees. 



The first was the Midwinter Flower Show held February 25. 26, 

 and 27 which took the place of the usual Spring Show. 



The next was the Great Exhibition of Orchids and other Plants 

 on May 20 to 30 in which was arranged what was probably the 

 grandest display of orchids ever shown in this country. 



The Peon}' Exhibition which followed on June 14 and 15 was held 

 in connection with the annual meeting of the American Peony 

 Society and proved as usual a most successful show. 



A General Autumn Exhibition of plants, flowers, fruits, and 

 vegetables was held September 23 to 25. 



In addition to these exhibitions the New England Dahlia Society 

 held its third annual Dahlia Show in the building on September 

 16 to 18. 



Early in January an exhibition of 700 photographs of Chinese 

 plants, animals, and scenery was held in the lecture hall. These 



