1888.] TRANSACTIONS. 2'^ 



im'nable Piiccrssioii to follow, each inore popiilai' and prosperous 

 in their orfler ; and the Disinherited, or Black Knight, are alike 

 welcome within the lists. Onr local Agricultural Society I)roods 

 beneath the wing of the pretentions New England organization ; 

 and for years past literally 



Stetit nominis umbra. 



Why should we hesitate, or what shall we apprehend ? 



Your latest Exhihition^ on the 25th nit., became tiie happy 

 culmination of a successful season. The Hall of Pomona was 

 tilled with a collection of fruit and vegetables that burdened the 

 tables ; and the space, not thus appropriated, was thronged by 

 ail ever-changing, continually-renewing audience. Fruit was in 

 its season, and at its prime ; Beuri e d'Anjou, Glout Morceau, and 

 Winter Nelis, not being invited in September, as formerly : wliile 

 the Hubbardston Nonesuch, and Roxbury Russet, had 'attained 

 their full autumnal development, — whereof the latest month is 

 the most essential to complete maturation. If Flowers tailed, — 

 or were inferior ; it need not be forgotten that their glory was 

 in the milder days of Summer ; nor that, from May to Septem- 

 ber, there was not a week that was without its attraction, — or 

 surpassing charm. Be thankful that, years ago, you had the 

 prescience to anticipate, and provide for, a possible future ! Ex- 

 ult ! not as the Bharisee, but with an eaynest pride, that you did 

 not listen to the timid caution which siirinks from the tlrst step ; 

 cowardly awaiting the initiative by others ; but that, instead, you 

 became pioneers of an advanced Horticulture, — blazing, clear 

 and wide, a new and straight path through the wilderness of in- 

 decision and untried experiment. Would you know how other 

 Societies, of approved repute, yet linger in the desert, groping 

 blindly for the way that is so bright to us ! The lesson might be 

 learned in Boston : but 1 prefer to take you across the Atlantic : 



"Royal Horticultl-eai. Society: — It must not be overlooked, that 

 the great disasters which have befallen the Society have arisen mainly 

 from the attempts that have been made to attract the non-horticultural 

 public. The further the Society has departed from its original pro- 

 gramme, the worse it has fared. The large exhibitions, even, what 

 ever may once have been the case, are now, as a rule, not only not 



