310 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



professional florist. We are sure tlmt one brother, whose appre- 

 ciation of the marks of a well grown flower cannot be questioned, 

 helps in the good work and holds up the hands of the Committee 

 when he turns in sweet memory to the good and faithful teacher 

 whose lessons by the wayside, opened to his young mind the 

 wonders and delights, which, but for her, would have been as a 

 sealed book. 



Her voice may be still ; his voice we feel sure is to open the 

 beautiful life to some other child. We know that in many homes 

 and many hearts there has been something received of greater 

 value than the simple prize awarded. A real desire to make home 

 attractive must in time lessen the number of wjiattractive homes, 

 and so tend to lessen the number of recruits for the criminal class. 



Mr. President and fellow members, our simple stor}' is in your 

 hands ; it remains for us to ask you to consider the money claim 

 we bring. It is really a pittance that we ask for ; not as much 

 for our plans for a 3'ear as goes to ornament a festive, or add a 

 grief to a solemn, occasion. Grant that cheerfully ; trust in 

 3'our Committee, and you will be carrying out the wishes of the 

 founders of this Society. 



Our expenses for the year have been met by the grant of this 

 Society, supplemented by a private donation. 



Prizes for well kept plants have been awarded to over two 

 hundred children, varying in sums of from seventy-five cents for 

 first prize to ten cents for evidence of care. We have attempted 

 to follow the example set by the Society. In cases where a child 

 had nurtured a poor, sickly plant, not seeing its faults. Prang's 

 Cards were given, Mr Louis Prang having authorized us to call 

 for all we needed, and at any time. 



As a supplement to this report it may be wise to give some idea 

 of our plans for the coming year. 



We intend to offer prizes for the best kept window of plants. 

 Desiring to stimulate window gardening any where in the State, 

 the Committee promise to examine all that are entered for compe- 

 tition. 



In response to a very urgent demand from teachers of public 

 schools, we intend to issue a small pamphlet, containing direc- 

 tions for raising plants in windows, explaining what is meant by a 

 well kept and well grown plant, together with a list of our native 

 flowers, and their localities. 



