20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



himself, had what might be considered for those days, a large and 

 well-cultivated garden. Read the Societ3''s prize list for the first 

 year of its operation, $188 in amount ; and contrast with it the 

 list our Committee offered the past year, for nearly the same 

 objects, of which $6,400 was actually awarded. And think of the 

 magnificent exhibition of chrysanthemums and orchids of the very 

 last season. 



Much credit is due this Society for its persistence in carrying 

 forward the succession of its meetings under the outward discour- 

 agements and ill accommodations of its primitive periods. They 

 assembled, a small number, it is true, at first, in the offices of 

 various members of the Society; then in some straitened room, 

 hired, perhaps, onl}' for the season ; and this continued until the 

 erection of their hall on School Street, the corner-stone of which 

 was laid in 1844. I had often been, previously, at their public 

 gatherings, and this year joined the Society. Present at the 

 dedication of that hall, I listened to the address of my classmate, 

 Hon. George Lunt, of Newburyport ; it was a classical and poetic 

 production, glowing with the joy of the crowded assembly of 

 members and friends of the Society. After great labors and 

 praiseworthy sacrifices, obliged sometimes, as many of you may 

 recollect, to hold exhibitions, or parts of them, in subterraneous 

 rooms, so dingy that the very flowers appeared to grieve and 

 droop at their privations, thej' at length removed to the noble 

 edifice we now occupy. 



A word is due, before closing, to the claims and the fortunes of 

 our Library. It has increased from a few volumes, in 1829, to 

 about six thousand today. The first books placed in it were a 

 donation from Robert Manning, one of the sixteen men who first 

 met at the founding of this Society, and who was alwa^^s among 

 its most honored friends and supporters, eminent especially for his 

 skill and success in the production of fruits ; whose mantle rests 

 on one worthy of his parental origin, instant in ever^^ good work 

 of the Societ}', its indefatigable Secretary, for these twelve j-ears ; 

 diligent in labors upon our published " Transactions " and in general 

 executive business ; as Librarian courteous in the reception of 

 visitors, friendly in aid to members, and of distinguished service 

 as the person whose almost sole energy and reseat ch gave us the 

 invaluable "History of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 

 from 1829 to 1878." 



