18 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1882. 



constructing a mile track wliich would insure speed from its very 

 nature ; and arranging its sheds around the gravel upland, now 

 drained naturally ; of abundant -area, and of suflBciently easy 

 access. To such grounds all would be irresistibly drawn who 

 would go anywhere. Upon such a track, the owners of Maud S. 

 and St. Julien, might be tempted to trust their winged coursers ; 

 and no one can doubt, were that trust shown, how strong would 

 prove the attraction. The false start and the scrub-race, gather 

 in, even now, a surprising lot of shekels, under the present feeble 

 dispensation. Let all things become new ! and what shall hinder 

 the saints of the latter evangel from raking in the pool ? 



What the Rink has become, with the recent extensive altera- 

 tions of the building, and the radical development of the adjacent 

 grounds, is plainly manifest, as it has been widely noticed and 

 acknowledged. Ample rooin ; features of attraction for the 

 multitude, manifold, and various enough for every taste ; acces- 

 sible from all quarters : and of facile egress for the individual or 

 a crowd ; it leaves little to be desired in the matter of accommo- 

 dation and convenience. An Industrial Exhibit could be devised, 

 of artistic and mechanical models ; such as Worcester could 

 furnish alone ; but in which she should be proud to compete with 

 her thrifty sisters throughout the Commonwealth. The acute 

 genius and cunning hand of Massachusetts might be relied upon 

 to fill up every foot of space. 



But what would become of Flora and Pomona f Our own 

 Hall will welcome them, as is fitting ; and herein shall they find 

 hospitality and congenial rest. There should be no separate 

 charge for admission ; the aim of the Horticulturist being the 

 perfection of species and the instruction of a people. Inferior 

 specimens being excluded, where quality should be established as 

 the test ; room would be in plenty for the displays of average 

 years. And there is no danger of the standard being held too 

 high : rather is the peril ever imminent, from good-natured 

 officials, of tolerating the entry of that which is obviously and 

 essentially defective, in the easy-going assurance that the judges 

 will discern its imperfections. 



Were such a Society founded, I think that I do not risk much 

 in pledging your cordial and earnest co operation, whether indi- 



