1883.] TRANSACTIONS. 7 



tinnes the same ; uo hill starts from its base : — only now, as 

 always, fools and their money are soon parted. 



And so with Stkawberkies ! Of the " growers " catechised 

 by the Country Gentleman^ all knew what would " hest suit the 

 market "/ Evidently they have proved, partially at least, all 

 things. Would that they had likewise held fast to that which is 

 good. The Charles Downing gets a pretty fair word from most; 

 although even such acceptance is qualified by objections to this, 

 that, or the other alleged defect. Besides the Downing, every 

 other variety named is some novel introduction ; — not to be re- 

 jected, of course, for that reason ; but certainly not for novelty 

 alone to be commended for indiscriminate adoption. 



Now delicious Strawberries were grown in the Town of 

 Worcester, when your Secretary was young enough to slide 

 down over the present location of Chestnut, and ^va.y Streets ; or 

 to skate upon ice, in Winter, before rollers were devised by the 

 Arch-Enemy ! Strawberries of superior flavor, and of ample 

 size, have been known and shown at the Exhibition of this 

 Society, in every Summer of its existence. Where are those 

 approved varieties, now? If lost to cultivation, what have you 

 substituted in their place ? Which of the countless sorts that 

 are advertised ; each Spring, or Autumn ; stands the searching 

 test of time and trial as did the Hovey <; the Jenny Lind ; 

 Doiuner, efucunda^ or Triomphe de Gandf If perchance you 

 obtain a good berry, now and then, how much better off are you, 

 as you find the novel acquisition secured by the sacrifice of some- 

 thing precious already in possession ? It has been otherwise 

 put : " For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole 

 world, and lose his own soul ?" 



A Horticultural Society that would be true to itself ; — more 

 especially one, like our own, whose path is directly indicated as 

 a condition of its legal existence ; must guard against every 

 insidious tendency to perversion. The market may be left to its 

 own devices. Those who sell and get gain, can usually perceive 

 what will enure to their personal advantage. But the true Hor- 

 ticulturist requires, and means to have, something better from 

 his garden, or orchard, than the Wilson, Philadelphia, Baldwin, 

 or Bartlett. He has developed latent possibilities ; and rejoices 



