1866.] 



SECRETARY S REPORT 



31 



It will be observed that, while the aggregate is largely diminished, an excess 

 over some previous years is shown in the columns assigned to Cherries, 

 Grapes, &c., and to Pears. This increase is due to the zeal of a very few of 

 our members, who have never allowed themselves to be diverted from the work 

 to which they were pledged at the commencement of our weekly exhibitions. 

 How long they will continue to uphold the interests of the Society, unaided, 

 cannot be foretold. It must certainly be discouraging to them to pass from our 

 tables, with their meagre display, and behold the windows of every petty 

 huckster upon the street crowded to repletion with noble specimens from the 

 largest and most skilful cultivators in our ranks. Your Secretary claims, for 

 himself, that he has spared neither time nor labor, whenever he imagined that 

 the devotion of either could contribute to the welfare of the Society. Yet, even 

 he confesses to a feeling of lassitude, if not of absolute repulsion at times, when 

 reflecting upon the indifference of those whom an onerous superfluity of means 

 and leisure should make most prominent in our behalf. The sympathy which 

 wishes well at a distance, like the cordiality that keeps you at arm's length, 

 may be well enough in its way ; but it is not the active and zealous co-opera- 

 tion required in a Society like ours. 



The display of Roses at the summer exhibition was very fine. The thanks 

 of the Society are due to those ladies whose interest has been so generously 

 manifested, for three successive years, by the contributions of such large and 

 splendid collections of this favorite flower. Laboring from the pure love of 

 Floriculture, it is due to them, at the very least, to be assured that their unsel- 

 fish efforts are appreciated. 



The Trustees, upon your reference of the whole matter to them, at their last 

 meeting appointed a Committee on the subject of " depredations in gardens and 

 orchards." That Committee offered a reward for the detection and conviction 

 of any person found stealing flowers, fruits, or vegetables. Two cases have 

 occurred since the publication of that offer, in each of which punishment was 

 properly inflicted by the court. No money, however, has been required from 

 the treasury, the amount that might have been claimed being applied to new 

 memberships. It is believed that the lesson thus administered upon the rights 

 of property in fruit has not been lost. And it is submitted that the Secretary 

 might well be authorized to renew the offer of that or a similar reward, should 

 circumstances hereafter seem to render it expedient. 



