PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Members of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society : 



In assuming the duties of presiding officer of the Society for 

 another term, I return you ray sincere thanks for the honor of the 

 position you have assigned to me. To preside over the delibera- 

 tions of gentlemen, devoted with such singleness of purpose to 

 the cause of Horticulture, is, indeed, a pleasant dut}-. To open 

 new fields for effort, and to sustain and quicken j'our zeal, is a 

 responsibility for which I could wish myself more competent. 

 Gladly would I give both time and euerg}^ could I hope to render 

 more efficient service to the Society and the cause which we all 

 have so much at heart. 



The past year has witnessed uniform prosperit}' in all our inter- 

 ests. Few deaths have occurred in our large membership, and 

 ■with the exception of Mr. Wm. Kenrick, one of the earliest mem- 

 bers, (whose death was properly noticed at a former meeting,) we 

 have lost none of those more actively engaged in our work. 



The finances of the Society continue in a prosperous condition, 

 as will appear by the report of your Treasurer. With the im- 

 provements which have been made in our Halls, they are now of 

 such rare and acknowledged beauty as to make them most desir- 

 able for public entertainments, and, under the unremitting atten- 

 tion of our Superintendent, we are deriving a regular and generous 

 revenue from the rent of the Halls. Our Library' is receiving 

 valuable and expensive additions from year to year, and is becom- 

 ing a most important and attractive feature. 



During the 3'ear past there has been an entirely harmonious 

 cooperation of the members in promoting the interests of the 

 Society. Our exhibitions have been sustained with spirit and 

 success, as is apparent from the reports of the various standing 

 Committees, lieyond question the main power of the Society is 

 in its exhibitions. We are judged by our fruits. The proof of 

 success is in the results. With each succeeding season we have 

 to demonstrate by unanswerable facts whatever is truly excellent. 



