TRANSACTIONS 



OF THE 



^iissacbttsdts potticultutEl f oddg. 



BUSINESS MEETING. 



Saturday, January 6, 1894. 



A duly notified stated meeting of the Society was holden at 

 eleven o'clock, the President, Nathaniel T. Kidder, in the chair. 



This being the commencement of the term of office of the new 

 board of officers and standing committees, the President delivered 

 the usual annual address, as follows : 



Address of President Kidder. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : 



Another year ! 



It is hard to be spontaneous when you know a whole twelve- 

 month ahead on what day and at what hour you are expected to 

 speak. 



It has gradually grown upon me that our Society would be 

 better off, on the whole, if the make-up of the committees changed 

 a little more from year to year. Now, do not misunderstand me : 

 I am not aiming at any particular committee, much less at any 

 individual. In the report of the nomination committee in 1892, it 

 was recommended that the term of office of your presidents be 

 limited to two years. I am now free to confess I think this was 

 beginning at the wrong end of the question. 



Seriously, I think it requires one year for your presiding officer 

 to find out what is wanted, so that practically his influence is not 

 felt before his second year. Then, if you find you wish a change. 



