THE IXAUGURAL MEETING. 11 



to 1901 ; and others equally well known in the business and pro- 

 fessional circles of our city and state. 



Next to its honorable reputation as a leader in American horti- 

 culture, earned in its career of seventy-seven years, certainly the 

 most valuable asset of the Society is its library. This can only be 

 compared with the libraries of the National Societies of England, 

 France, and Germany; and those best able to judge are of the opin- 

 ion that the library of this Society far surpasses the other horticul- 

 tural libraries of the world in the value of its books, in its compre- 

 hensiveness, and in its excellent arrangement and condition. In 

 establishing this library the Society has performed an important 

 duty for the community, and I feel sure that every member is anxious 

 to see it enlarged and improved as opportunity and means permit. 

 I am informed that notwithstanding the excellence of our library it 

 has not been as freely used as it should have been. 



At the conclusion of his address President Weld assumed the 

 duties of his position and called for the annual reports of the chair- 

 men of the various committees which were presented in the follow- 

 ing order. 



Report of the Board of Trustees. 



Report of the Finance Committee, Walter Hunnewell, Chairman. 



Report of the Treasurer. 



Report of the Secretary and Librarian. 



Report of the Delegate to the State Board of Agriculture, William 

 H. Spooner, Delegate. 



Report of the Committee on Lectures and Publications, J. Wood- 

 ward Manning, Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions, John K. 

 M. L. Farquhar, Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Plants and Flowers, Arthur H. 

 Fewkes, Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Fruits, Wilfrid Wheeler. Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Vegetables, Warren W. Rawson, 

 Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Gardens, Oakes Ames, Chairman. 



Report of the Committee on Children's Gardens, Henry S. Adams, 

 Chairman. 



