64 MASSACHUaETXg HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY, 



For the Year 1863. 

 BY F. PAEKMAN, CHAIRMAN. 



On entering upon their functions, the Committee found that the labors of 

 previous committees had furnished the Library with a well chosen and most 

 valuable collection of works, relating to horticulture and its kindred subjects. 

 It was evident, however, that to continue the importation of foreign books at 

 existing rates of exchange would involve, when compared with results obtained, 

 an outlay far greater than before. It was, therefore, resolved to suspend im- 

 portation until a more favorable time, excepting that of periodicals necessary 

 for keeping up with the movement of the day, and also of a very few other 

 works thought especially desirable. 



In order to offset, in some degree, the great increase of price on these 

 necessary importations, means were taken to give the Society the benefit of 

 the provision of law which enables such corporations to import books free of 

 duty. In importing through the ordinary channels, this could be done only at 

 the cost of excessive trouble and annoyance. A different course was, there- 

 fore, adopted. Mr. Henry T. Parker, of London, was employed as an agent 

 for supplying English books and periodicals, and Mr. F. W. Christern, of New 

 York, for the continental. They have accomplished this charge with great 

 fidelity, and at a moderate commission. In both instances they were directed 

 to send the publications in a separate parcel, enclosed in the same case with 

 the periodicals of the Boston Athenaeum, for which, also, these gentlemen act 

 as agents. By this means, the expenses of freight are reduced to a trifle, and 

 twenty per cent, saved by the exemption from duties. Though this does not 

 counterbalance the increased rates of exchange, it greatly reduces the addi- 

 tional expense arising from that source. 



The list of American publications taken by the Society has been reduced 

 by striking off a number of agricultural newspapers, of little or no value, ex- 

 cept to farmers of their own locality, as they contain nothing which cannot be 

 found elsewhere, in better form. 



From the causes above indicated, the expenditure of the year has fallen far 

 short of the amount appropriated, the total to the present time being $170.79, 

 a part of which was on account of books ordered last year. To this, is to be 

 added the cost of the English periodicals of the last half year — of which the bill 

 has not yet been sent — together with a few smaller items. The whole will 

 not exceed half the ordinary expenditure. 



The Committee regret the causes which have checked, for a time, the 

 growth of a department, the value of which is inestimable. Its most vital 

 portion, namely, that which may make us sharers in the horticultural progress 



