344 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



speak in most favorable terms of the assistance rendered them by 

 the present Janitor of the Hall. His aid in the prompt arrange- 

 ment of the various exhibitions, has been invalua])le. The Com- 

 mittee also have liberal aid from the newspapers of the cit}', and 

 tlieir full reports of the exhibitions have been of the greatest 

 service to us. 



It is evident that the arrangements at the larger exhibitions 

 would be greath' lacilitated if some sj^stem for the preliminary 

 entry of collections of Plants and Flowers could be adopted, and 

 if in all cases exhibitors gaA^e formal notice of their intention to 

 show in certain classes. This is to be recommended in view of 

 the great increase of exhibits, and the consequent difficulty in 

 providing for their proper arrangement in time to open the Hall 

 to the public. If a l)lank form should l)e adopted, and every 

 exhil^itor he required to fill up and forward this to the Committee 

 of Arrangements a few days before each large exhibition, there 

 would be less confusion, and the labors of the Committee would 

 be reduced. Exhibitors would not be lilvely to approve this 

 change at first ; but, in a short time, the system could be made to 

 work advantageously for all. 



Another desirable innovation, which may not be received favor- 

 abh\ is one which would require the members of the various Com- 

 mittees who are on duty in the Hall, at the time of the large 

 exhil)itions, to wear some badge of office. This suggestion is 

 prompted by the fact that, since these exhibitions have grown to 

 such large proportions, hundreds come to our halls seeking infor- 

 mation in regard to plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables hitherto 

 unknown to them. It Is the duty of the Society to provide some 

 way of making this information accessible ; and, while the 

 members of Committees have no distinguishing mark of office, 

 our visitors, as experience has shown, do not know to whom to 

 address tlieir inquiries, and often leave the hall witliout liaving 

 gratified their desire for knowledge. The course suggested might 

 impose some trifling additional labor upon members of the Com- 

 mittees, but it would meet a very positive necessity, and would 

 promote the growth of horticulture Ijy diffusing information on tlie 

 subj ct. 



Respectfully submitted. 



EDWARD L. BEARD, Chammn. 



