174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULIURAL SOCIETY 



and the Rhododendrons did not come into full bloom until near the 

 end of the show. 



In addition to the open-air show ten other exhibitions were held 

 in the Society's building all of which were satisfactory and the 

 public interest in them showed no abatement. 



The Spring Flower Show in March was a notable success both 

 horticulturally and financially. 



The July Sweet Pea Exhibition was held in conjunction with the 

 annual meeting of the American Sweet Pea Society and resulted in 

 a display of this popular flower of more than the usual interest. 



The Special Fruit Show of October 31 to November 4 was held 

 in conjunction with the Thirty-fifth Biennial Session of the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society and the Fifth Exhibition, of the New 

 England Fruit Show. All the halls were filled on this occasion 

 with an immense display of fruit representing the products of a 

 wide range of territory from Canada to Florida. 



The course of lectures held during January, February, and March 

 proved satisfactory, an average attendance of 150 people being 

 recorded. 



Through the influence of several members of the Board of 

 Trustees 57 new life members and 26 new annual members were 

 added during the year, making the total membership of the Society 

 December 31, 1917, 979. 



On the whole the year has been a noteworthy one in advancing 

 the objects for which the Society was established, that of increasing 

 the interest in all branches of horticulture. 



The publications of the Society during the year and dates of 

 issue are as follow: 



January 12. Schedule of Prizes and Exhibitions, 46 pp. 



May 1. Transactions, 1916, Part II, pp. 146-267, and Plates 

 1 and 2. 



July 13. Transactions, 1917, Part I, pp. 1-107. 



September 28. Preliminary Schedule for the exhibitions of 

 January, March, and May, 1918, 12 pp. This schedule was later 

 withdrawn as far as the money prizes were concerned. 



