WORCESTER COUNTY 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A. D. 1885. 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



To the Members of the 



Worcester County Horticultural Society. 



The property of the Society, thanks mainly to the assiduous 

 care of the Janitor, has been maintained in excellent condition. 

 His Report, as Librarian, will state the increase of volumes and 

 the use of new or old, — which is not what it should be or could 

 be wished. Were it likely to produce the least good eifect, just 

 complaint might be made of that indifference, or neglect, which 

 deprives us of the numerous publications, by the Federal Gov- 

 ernment, descriptive of the vegetation and botany of the far 

 Western plains and trans-montane States. But we have man- 

 aged to exist, hitherto, without pap or protection ; and can con- 

 tinue to pay taxes for the support of other institutions or socie- 

 ties, whose deserts appear to be measured by their importunity 

 or uselessness. Our Library has far outgrown its limited space, 

 and new cases with shelving will be imperatively required in the 

 immediate future. 



The front doors and main approach to our Hall had become 

 worn out, and were so shabby in appearance that it was made a 

 constant theme for reproach by Members from out of town. 

 The door-step and threshold encroached upon the Street, and it 

 was only a question of time when their removal would be 

 required by the City. Under these circumstances, it was deter- 

 mined by the Finance Committee that a complete renovation was 



