402 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT ON THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR 1886. 



By James P. Ltnde of Athhi. 



The report of the Hon. J. S. Grinnell upon the FTorticul- 

 tural Society last year was so comprehensive and exhaustive, 

 — covering its history, methods, work and financial stand- 

 ing, — that it is only left for me to review the past year's 

 transactions and consider their influence upon progressive 

 agriculture. 



The sum appropriated for premiums was over $6,000, dis- 

 tributed through four exhibitions, held in March, June, Sep- 

 tember and November, covering a i)eriod of three or four 

 clays each, to which an admission fee was charged, and 

 through eleven weekly exhibitions, from July 3, which were 

 free to the public. 



Thirteen meetings for essays and discussions, free to the 

 public, were held during the winter and spring, at which the 

 following topics were considered : — 



Jan. 16. — A Trip to the Tropics, by Joseph H. Woodford of 



Newton. 

 Fruits that Promise well, by E. W. Wood of Newton. 

 Jan. 23. — The Forest Interests of Massachusetts, by William C. 



Strong of Newton Highlands. 

 The Most Desu-able Varieties of Fruit, by Marshall P. 



Wilder of Dorchester. 

 Jan. 30. — Forestry, by Rev. J. B. Harrison of Franklin Falls, 



N. H. 

 Feb. 6. — The Gladiolus, by William E. Eudicott of Canton. 

 Feb. 13. — Bulbs and Tubers for Out-door Culture, by Mrs. T. L. 



Nelson of Worcester. 

 Feb. 20. — The Food Question, by Edward Atkinson of Boston. 



