152 .VAi;s.i(//us/-:rTs i/oirncuLTUii.iL society. 



for we must not forgot, tli;it, wliilc our cxliibitcrs are most success- 

 ful in their pioJucts, tiie niiijority of ciiltixators are far l>eliin<l tiiis 

 liigh standard. It is for us continually to (leinonslrate the possibil- 

 ity of overcoming the seriously-increasing evils witii which we have 

 to contend, so that all can attain the same success. Wiio can esti- 

 mate the elevating influence and the stability which would be given 

 to the laboring-classes by thus beautifying their homes and strength- 

 ening their local attachments? As before stated, our liberal system 

 of distributing prize-money has had, and continues to have, a wide 

 influence, not merely upon our memljcrship, but also upon the com- 

 munity by reason of their example, and also by their positive 

 influence in establishing local societies, and otherwise encouraging 

 our ait. It is to be hoped that this influence of our Society may 

 never be diminished, but rather that the amount of prize-money 

 may steadily increase, as we are enabled this year, as in former 

 years, to increase it by the generosity of a few of our members. 



But the time has fully come when our Society should take a step 

 in advance. Not content with a silent influence, we should give an 

 open utterance. With our ample means, our large and most intel- 

 ligent membership, our attractive and central home, and our exten- 

 sive library, we have the opportunity to collect facts and compare 

 experiences, to examine theories and detect fallacies and frauds, to 

 stimulate inquiry and thought, and give a wide and permanent pub- 

 licity to discoveries and improvements, such as we must not neglect. 

 Not only have we such great facilities for collecting and diffusing 

 knowledge, but, still further, the community is in imperative need 

 of assistance. I have spoken of the general extent of horticulture 

 and floriculture in this vicinity. While this is true, and the com- 

 parison with other localities in the extent of planting of homesteads 

 may be favorable to us, yet it may be doubted whether this increase 

 exceeds the increase in our population. On the other hand, it is 

 true, that, with the exception of our most skilled and energetic cul- 

 tivators, there is a marked decline in the ratio of productiveness, 

 extending to nearly every kind of fruit. The difticulty is so serious, 

 that plums are almost abandoned. Peaches and cherries are in 

 marked contrast with the abundance of a former generation. The 

 Isabella, and even the Chasselas grape, used to ripen regidarly in 

 our latitude. The fact stated by the Chairman of our Fruit Com- 

 mittee, that many thrifty apple-orchards are being cut down as un- 

 pi'ofitable, however unthritty and unwise it may j)rove the owners 

 of the orchards to be, yet indicates how many increasing ditllculties 

 we must contend against, even in the case of the sturdy native 

 npi^le. 



