90 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The portraits of those living-, speak for themselves, and do great credit to the 

 artists employed. Those who were acquainted with Gen. Dearborn are unan- 

 imous in their expressions of satisfaction as to the perfect correctness of hia 

 likeness. It was copied from a painting belonging to the family. It is very 

 gratifying to the members of the Society to be able to look upon the face of 

 one who did more than any other individual in laying the foundation of the 

 Society, and in giving it its first great impulse. 



The artist who executed the portrait of our beloved Walker was equally 

 successful. When it is considered that he had nothing for a guide but a 

 coarse photograph, it is a marvel that he should have produced such a life-like 

 picture, that almost appears ready to speak as we gaze upon it. The portrait 

 of Mr. Cook does not give so good satisfaction to the few who knew him, 

 although it is a correct copy of a family picture. The painting of Mr. Vose 

 may be considered pretty good. It was copied from a small miniature on 

 ivory, and to some who were well acquainted with him is not judged to be a 

 very striking likeness. 



The amount appropriated for the various committees, to be expended in their 

 several departments for the present year, is very liberal, amounting to the sum 

 of $'3200. The Executive committee in recommending, and the Society in 

 voting this amount, have confidence that the committees will make a judicious 

 disposition of the several sums placed to their credit, and not feel it to be their 

 duty to expend the whole amount, unless in their judgment the interest of the 

 Society demands it. We are spending a little too freely, notwithstanding the 

 large income we receive, and possibly, instead of increasing our capital, we 

 may find it to be diminishing. I hope the report of the Finance committee 

 will not show this to be a fact. The income from Mount Auburn ought to be 

 sufficient to meet our current expenses, while the income from other sources 

 should be added to the capital, that we may be fully prepared for the erection 

 of a new hall when the proper time arrives. 



The accumulation of our funds has been checked the present year by the 

 amount appropriated for the improvements at Mount Auburn, consisting of a 

 number of beautiful fountains, supplied from a reservoir on the hill, to which 

 the water is forced from one of the ponds by a steam engine. A large space 

 of land formerly unavailable for lots has been filled with gravel ; a circular 

 reservoir has been made, surrounded by a beautiful lawn, and from this reser- 

 voir springs the principal fountain. These improvements add much to the 

 interest and value of this part of the Cemetery. The amount voted by our 

 Society was $1500, which will all be returned to us again, with interest, at 

 some future time; for the increased value of the lots contiguous will much 

 more than balance the outlay. 



In addition to the water works, appendages, and their improvements, the 

 Trustees of Mount Auburn have in progress the construction of ranges of cat- 

 acombs, which will involve considerable expense before they are completed. 

 Five hundred dollars has already been paid out by our treasurer toward this 



