166 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Admissions to membership being many less than last year, the 

 receipts from this source fall off correspondingly. By reason of 

 death, and discontinuance of annual members, our numbers have 

 decreased. While we mourn the decease of valuable members, we 

 need not lament the departure of those whose want of interest in 

 our Societ}' is the cause of neglect to pay their dues. 



A large proportion of our members are, very naturally, residents 

 of this city. Of the remainder, their homes may be found in 

 suburban towns and cities, in proportion to the prevalence of a 

 taste for horticulture and rural art. The town of Newton stands 

 prominent in this respect, having more members in proportion to 

 its population than any other place, and supporting, also, the most 

 thoroughly alive and efficient horticultural society in this vicinity. 

 Brookline, Dorchester and others, where abound most beautiful 

 landscapes, are largely represented on our list. Whether viewed 

 in the light of cause or effect, or both, these facts are significant, 

 and should encourage us to renew our zeal in the good work. 



Our Library, constantly increasii% in rare and valuable works, 

 bears the highest estimate in the minds of those who consult it 

 most, and yet its value is comparativel}^ but little known. 



Our Works of Art have received some additions during the 

 year. 



The income from the stores remains the same as last reported, 

 while that from the halls is largely in excess of an}' former year. 

 This, however, is not a net gain, as expenditures for gas and other 

 incidentals are correspondingly increased. 



Although our halls retain their hold upon public favor, we can- 

 not look for as large an income during next year. Circumstances 

 connected with the late disastrous fire have not only caused the 

 cancellation of past engagements, but have prevented others for 

 the future. In view of this, and of several expenditures already 

 planned and entered upon, such as the writing up and publication 

 of our history ; the making of a library' catalogue ; unusual ex- 

 pense of the annual exhibition, etc., it becomes us to exercise 

 great care in making appropriations of money. 



In alluding to Mt. Auburn Cemetery, I last year made the follow- 

 ing remark : " I shall not be presumed to question the correctness 

 or propriety of the dealing of that institution with this, if I say, 

 that while we pa}' one-quarter part of its expenses, and have a 

 similar interest in its welfare, we are, as a body, entirely uurepre- 



