DECLINATION OF H. H. HUNNEWELL. 69 



BUSINESS MEETING. 



Saturday, October 17, 1874. 



An adjourned meeting of the society was holden at 11 o'clock. 

 President Strong in the chair. 



The secretary read the following communication : 



Wellesley, October 12, 1874. 

 E. S. Rand, Jr., Esq., 



Recording Secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Dear Sir : 



I have received your communication under date of the 10th inst., 

 informing me that I had been elected President of the Massachu- 

 setts Ilorticultural Society for the year 1875. 



I take the earliest opportunity to express my sincere thanks to 

 the society for the great honor they have conferred on me in elect- 

 ing me as their President, and while it would be most pleasant for 

 me on many accounts to serve them as such, I regret it will be 

 impossible for me to do so in a manner satisfactory to them or 

 myself, with my numerous engagements, absorbing as they do all 

 my time, and I must therefore respectfullj^ decline their kind in- 

 vitation. 



I need not assure the society that I most fully appreciate the 

 compliment that has been tendered me in so honorable an office, 

 filled as it has been by gentlemen distinguished for their public 

 spirit and zeal in horticultural pursuits, and that it has my best 

 wishes for its continued prosperity and the increased support and 

 patronage it so well merits from the community generally. 



Very respectfull}'- yours, 



H. H. HUNNEWELL. 



Voted, That a special election to fill the vacancy in the office of 

 President be holden on Saturda}^, November 7, at 11 o'clock. 



Mrs. Mary Hittinger, of Belmont, 

 was elected to membership. 



Adjourned to Saturday, November 7. 



