19 



The twenty year.s of this era were years of prosper- 

 ity to the society ; and, though they include several of 

 the most inauspicious seasons known since its founda- 

 tion, the number of contributors to the show^ was so 

 large, that a contribution of a comparatively small por- 

 tion of the products of each garden and green-house 

 afforded, even in the most unfavorable years, an inter- 

 esting and instructive exhibition. iVnd if, in such a 

 year, there was the appearance of retrogression, it was 

 but temporary ; and the return of a more genial season 

 restored all that had been lost, and added much more. 



And now we come to what I have termed the third 

 or present era in our history. 



The growth of the society, and its influence both at 

 home and abroad, had been constantly increasing, so 

 that the want of a larger and more commodious build- 

 ing was year by year more strongly felt. Ihis need 

 resulted in the purchase of the present site, and the 

 erection of this beautiful structure, the corner-stone of 

 which was laid on the 18th of August, 1864, the build- 

 ing being dedicated on the 16th of September, 1865. 

 Appropriate addresses were delivered on both these 

 occasions by President Charles M. Hovey, who, through 

 all the stages of the project, had been its firm and con- 

 stant friend. The erection of this building seemed to 

 be the crowning glory in the history of the society ; but 

 few are aware of the difficulties encountered in bring- 

 ing the plan to a successful issue. The incurring of a 

 large debt was, in the minds of some of our best 

 friends, of doubtful expediency; but, thanks to an in- 

 domitable and immutable friend, Charles O. Whitmore, 

 this objection was overcome, and to him more than 

 to any other man are we indebted for this temple of hor- 

 ticulture.- Not only did he adhere with firmness and 

 perseverance to the plan of the committee, until all its 

 members signed the report in favor of erecting the new 



