1894.] TRANSACTIONS. 17 



upon this vexed subject of Terraeculture, and the proper display 

 of its results, I have now for well-nigh a generation closely 

 watched the achievements of that astonishing organization which 

 annually folds its tents and silently steals away, leaving the 

 sparse after-math to its local partner. But not even the New 

 England Agricultural Society, with its unique segregation of 

 Horticulture, Floriculture, and Vegetables, can emerge from its 

 chronic chaos and, by mere adV^ertisement or clamor, evoke new 

 form and order in garden or orchard. We show nothing in this 

 Hall, as all-around, steady going fruits, that will take the place 

 of Baldwin or Bartlett ! Are they more fortunate over by 

 Agricultural Street, re-inforced as they are by the surprising 

 co-operation of our most prominent Members ? 



The liberty of an individual to exhibit the product of his 

 labor, or skill, when, where, and as he pleases, can only be 

 curtailed by himself. Except by his own volition his action is 

 free as air. Yet does he not himself impose a degree of 

 restraint upon that natural freedom by the very fact of his 

 aflfiliation with a Society ! Is Horticulture exalted, by reason 

 of Exhibitions elsewhere in Worcester ! Then, by just so much 

 are our ow^n Exhibitions depreciated. Is Horticulture degraded, 

 as it careers up and down our streets in electric cars proclaiming, 

 through ophicleide and trombone, the speedy occurrence of 

 "Five Great Races!" If aye, — how can we escape responsi- 

 bility who participate in the downward steps, becoming parcel 

 and part of the procession that tags after ! Do we leave this 

 Hall, — going elsewhere in search of reputation and cultural 

 credit? Where else than here, outside of Suffolk County, could 

 such solid horticultural renown be attained at any time within 

 the last Half-Century ! Do we reach out to get individual gain? 

 It is to l)e hoped that our reward will not become Apples of 

 Sodom ; although, if purses are to be scaled down, the loss in 

 such event would not be so hardly borne. Our abstinents and 

 ascetics are invited to a board wherefrom whatsoever can cheer 

 the heart of man is sedulously excluded ; and those laborers in 

 a vineyard without grapes, who are tireless in denunciation 

 of wine or beer, face with neither flinching nor protest the 



