74 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



mittee labored long and assiduously in the accomplishment of their work, 

 believing that no such opportunity would again occur to secure for the So- 

 ciety just the place they thought the only one within the means of the 

 Society to purchase. The unanimous ratification of their acts has shown how 

 much you appreciate their labors. 



It now remains for you to complete the work so well begun, and to open 

 a new era in the history of the Society. Whether it will be for our best 

 interests to erect a building at once, or put off the work until another time, is 

 for you to decide. A matter of so much importance requires careful delibera- 

 tion, and I have no doubt you will give it the attention it deserves. Nothing, 

 however, it appears to me, but actual necessity, should induce us to postpone 

 the erection of a building suitable to our wants, our standing and our means. 

 Second to no other similar association in material wealth, and wielding an 

 influence extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, it is important that the 

 source of this power should be recognized. We owe it to ourselves, and more 

 especially to those who came forward in our hour of need and gave us a 

 helping hand. They had seen our early progress, and believed our resources 

 were equal to our needs. But when with a zeal and earnestness we ven- 

 tured upon the then hazardous task of erecting a hall which would require 

 something more than we possessed, then were those found who remembered 

 us, and endowed us with the means to make the attempt succeed ; and it is 

 due to their memory that we should as speedily as possible put ourselves in 

 the position they helped to place us, in order to carry forward the purposes of 

 its founders. Their object was to endow an institution, not to aid an ob- 

 scure Society. Truly was it said in the eloquent address at the dedica- 

 tion of our old hall, that " its erection was the most fitting testimonial of 

 our liberality, and its purpose afforded the best evidence of a refined and 

 intelligent community." How much more then, at this day, with our en- 

 larged means, will a new hall afford renewed evidence of the great progress 

 which twenty years have accomplished ? Trusting, therefore, that this subject 

 will have your mature consideration, I commit it to your hands. 



Gentlemen: 



The New Year finds us a united, harmonious and prosperous Society. 

 Never since its organization has a kindlier feeling prevailed, or so general a 

 desire been manifested to help on the good work. Let us hope that, under 

 the blessing of Providence, our country may soon be restored to peace, free- 

 dom become universal, and a love of horticulture a leading passion of our 

 people. 



