WORCESTER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 11 



Board, the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, has from this platform 

 declared to be the second horticultural society in the world in 

 point of wealth and influence. 



Elaborate and instructive reports emanating from the 

 accomplished pen of the secretary of the society have appeared 

 in the annual Transactions for the past fifteen years, portraying 

 the best means for improving the condition of the society and 

 stimulating the cultivation of fruits and flowers most desirable, 

 and discarding those that have proved worthless. 



With the liberal bequests and contributions of many gentle- 

 men who have been favorably disposed toward the society, 

 this hall was erected in 1851, and since that time has been 

 twice remodelled to accommodate the growing wants and 

 interests of the institution, and now stands a fitting monument 

 in remembrance of those whose bequests and exertions have 

 successfully placed in the ownership of the society a building 

 so substantial, valuable, and convenient. 



The library, in an adjoining room, is one of the most exten- 

 sive and valuable of its kind in the country, and will commend 

 itself to gentlemen who may take the trouble to give it an 

 examination. Every new work of known value is added to 

 it yearly, by an annual appropriation for the purpose. 



Mechanical science, theoretical and practical, is so closely 

 allied to agriculture, that no power can separate them. He who 

 cultivates the soil must have implements, -working-tools, and 

 very many of the products of mechanical skill and indus- 

 try. He who works in iron or wood, or follows other pursuits, 

 must have the wherewithal to feed and clothe the body, the 

 productions of the farm. 



So, allied in interest to our agricultural and horticultural 

 societies, we have a mechanics' association, in which all the 

 trades and industries of the city and county find representa- 

 tion. 



The association owns the largest building and hall in this 

 city, has its annual course of lectures and its occasional exhi- 

 bitions which rival any local exhibitions in the land, and one 

 of the most extensive libraries in this city of libraries. 



Then there is the lyceum and library associations, with a 

 natural history department and museum of natural curiosities, 

 in which may be found much to instruct the inquiring farmer in 



