1867.] SECRETAKY'S REPORT. 37 



ifest themselves either oblivious or unconscious of the obligations which they 

 assume upon admission within the unaccustomed society of gentlemen and la- 

 dies. 



The members of this Society who reside in the City of Worcester, are to be 

 felicitated upon the inexhaustibility of the Municipal resources. So rich is 

 the soil that it rejects manure. In this "Heart of the Commonwealth," we 

 behold uo weary or over-burthened traveller tempted by the Japanese invitation 

 to pause by the wayside for relief! On the contrary, Society is so cold, 

 — its formalities so polished, — its exigencies so rigidly observed, — that th e 

 very demands of Nature would be subjected to State ''search," or Federal "li- 

 cense," unless endorsed by the Original Gardener. Hence it happens that all 

 filth is so readily discerned. For this reason it is that the least speck of dirt is 

 at once avoided as an obstacle by our heavily-imposed and evilly disposed guar- 

 dians of the Peace. Therefore, and for that reason solely is it, that the Sew- 

 erage of one half of the Municipality is to be concentrated into a single chan- 

 nel and thenceforth ejected to fertilize the valley of the Upper Blackstone. 

 The Tax-payers can perhaps determine, by reference to their assessments, the 

 actual cost to them in money, of this system of terrene devastation. But the 

 Agriculturist to a partial extent, and the Horticulturist in every branch of his 

 profession, can but realize in all stages of their practice, the reckless and 

 wasteful deprivation to which they are subjected. The aesthetic man is well 

 enough in his way. But the Pomologist is aesthetic naturally and by ac- 

 quirement ; and he confesses to an honest need of plant-food, by whatever eu- 

 phuism it may be characterised. May it not be found that, with the Ordure 

 of Worcester will disappear its Verdure ? How long can a Bank endure the 

 simultaneous withdrawal of its capital and discharge of its liabilities ? Can 

 you burn a candle at both ends to advantage ? 



The number of Members admitted to the Society, during the official incum- 

 bency of your present Secretary, recounts as follows : 



In 1861; - - - 1. In 1864, ... 49. 



" 1862, - - - 19. " 1865, - - - 106. 



" 1862, . - - 42. " 1866, - - - 61. 



In 1867, - - . - 82. 



The conditions of membership of the Society, have remained substantially 

 unaltered throdghout its entire existence. During that period, the advantages 

 of such Membership have been enhanced beyond measure. At the first exhibi- 

 tions there could be no premiums, for there were no funds out of which to pay 

 them. Now, the Real Estate of the Corporation is valued for the purpose 

 of assessments, at tens of thousands of dollars, while the Library supplies 

 an inexhaustible and ever growing source of instruction. Its published 

 Transactions, embodying the experience of a long series of years, and the pa- 

 tient observation of a large number of skillful Florists and Pomologists are of 

 incalculable local worth. This is all shared by the new members upon like 



6 



