12 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



prizes at the Exhibitions by still further reducing the number of 

 Large Exhibitions which last year were twelve in number, and 

 which I submit might well be reduced to eight. 



This matter of exhibitions has received much attention of the 

 Trustees, and we are adopting a new policy for next year and for 

 several years thereafter. You will remember that at the last 

 annual meeting, the By Laws were so amended as to allow the 

 awards and prizes to be fixed in advance for a longer period than 

 one year; i. e., for not exceeding three years in advance. 



The Trustees believe it advisable to have two annual exhibi- 

 tions — one in the Spring and one in the Fall — on a larger scale 

 than the other exhibits during the year; to do this, it will be neces- 

 sary to offer larger prizes calling for exhibits which it may take the 

 growers a longer period than a year to prepare for. It is expected 

 that this can be done without increasing the expense to the Society 

 by securing contributions from members and friends of the Society 

 for the Special Prizes and from the larger returns which should be 

 derived from such a Show. 



The first large Show is to be held May 10-14, 1916, and I ask 

 you all to bear this Show in mind, encourage exhibitors to send in 

 their plants and encourage a large attendance. I am glad to be 

 able to tell you that the $1525.00 required for the Special Prizes 

 has all been paid in or subscribed for by members of our Society. 



The interest of amateurs as well as that of professional or com- 

 mercial gardeners must be considered constantly. It is largely 

 due to the zeal and interest of our amateur members that our 

 permanent funds have been increased from time to time by hand- 

 some bequests and donations. 



It will add much interest to our Shows if we can encourage a 

 wider field of exhibitors and will certainly add to the attractiveness 

 of the Shows. The Trustees are proposing that every two weeks 

 there shall be smaller shows at which no money prizes be awarded, 

 but gratuities and certificates, and these shows should certainly 

 appeal to the amateur growers. For many years during the early 

 history of this Society, the weekly exhibits were most successful and 

 apparently money prizes were not awarded. It is along these 

 lines that we are proposing the fortnightly shows. 



I earnestly hope that our Committee on Fruits will do all it can 



