242 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Robert Mauuiug said that, excepting tlie predecessor of the 

 present Treasurer of the Society, no one had a better opportunity 

 than himself to Ivnow of the assiduous aud constant care with 

 wliich Mr. Whitmore watched over the finances of the Society 

 during the time he was Chairman of the Finanoe Committee. He 

 took pleasure in testifying to Mr. Whitmore's devotion to these 

 and all other interests of the Society. 



Benjamin G. Smiuli said that the members acquainted with Mr. 

 Whitmore would always hold his memory in grateful remembrance. 

 He spoke of an interview which he, as a member of the Nomi- 

 nating Committee, had with Mr. Whitmore in regard to the use of 

 his name as a candidate for the office of President, but, though he 

 would undoubtedly have been elected, Mr. Whitmore declined to 

 be a candidate. 



William H. Spooner said that Mr. Whitmore's connection with 

 the purchase of the land and erection of the Society's building 

 should be strongly emphasized. He was opposed to the move- 

 ment to secure land on the Back Bay, believing a more central 

 site preferable ; aud to him, and also to the late P^dward S. Rand, 

 we are largely indebted for securing this location. 



President Moore said that in all probability we should not have 

 had this hall but for the efforts of Mr. Whitmore. He was 

 always affable, and had no selfish interest in view in serving the 

 Society. He might at various times have been President if he had 

 accepted the nomination. 



The resolutions were unanimously passed. 



Edward L. Beard, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, 

 read the Annual Report of that Committee. Mr. Beard said that 

 in presenting this report he felt very great gratification at the 

 increased interest in the exhibitions, which afforded encoiu-age- 

 ment to hope for a further increase. If it had been prophesied 

 beforehand that the receipts from the four paying exhibitions 

 would increase in a few years from $600 to $3,600, it would not 

 have been believed ; but the increase of last year over the pre- 

 ceding year was equal to the whole average receipts for the last 

 ten years. There is no reason why we should be limited by the 

 present possibilities around us, and he hoped for a still further 

 increase in the future. 



The report was accepted, and referred to the Committee on 

 l*ublication. 



