6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The large and frequent contributions from his gardens of flowers, 

 fruits, and vegetables have added much interest to our exhibitions. 

 By his death this Society has met with a great loss. His funeral 

 was attended by many of our members, who followed the body to 

 its resting-place in Mount Auburn, that beautiful garden of the 

 dead established by this Society many years ago. 



This Societ}- has alwa3's been proud of the record of its founders ; 

 them, and those other members of our Societ}-, true friends of hor- 

 ticulture, who have passed awa}-, we remember with gratitude. 

 The}' commenced a noble work, which we, who have had the bene- 

 fits of their experience and example, are to continue. It is in the 

 natuie of a trust, which we are bound in honor to improve for th« 

 benefit of those who come after us. 



At the same time let us not forsfet the debt of gratitude which 

 we owe to the living — to our venerable Ex-President Wilder, who 

 has devoted a long life to the advancement of the science and the 

 practical development of horticulture, and who still, in his green 

 old age, is as anxious for new horticultural products and meth- 

 ods of cultivation as a young beginner. To the other Ex-Presi- 

 dents, and to many members who have aided the Society in its 

 progress, — to the tried friends of this institution, who have so 

 often assisted in making our exhibitions attractive, by sending to 

 our halls rare and beautiful plants from their conservatories, and 

 who by other substantial aid afforded to our Society have done so 

 much for the encouragement of horticulture, — to all of these we 

 owe a debt of gratitude. 



The awarding committees report that the weeklj- shows have 

 been larger, better, and more full}' attended than usual. 



The four large shows, at which the public have been charged a 

 small admission fee, have, under the prudent management of the 

 Committee of Arrangements, who have had them in full charge, 

 jDroved more successful than usual, not only in the quantity and 

 quality of the exhibits, but also in the receipts for admission, 

 which were much larger than in previous years. 



The public appreciation of the beauty of our exhibitions isj'early 

 growing ; and, as the taste for beautiful flowers and fine fruit in- 

 creases, so will the desire to attend our exhibitions become greater 

 every year, until instead of hundreds there may be, in the near 

 future, thousands to crowd our halls. 



The amount of money appropriated for prizes, for the year 1884, 

 was $3,450; this has been increased to $5,100 for the year 1885. 



