MR. hovey's address. 71 



Prosperity has attended all our efforts during the past year. Since January 

 last 142 new members have joined the Society ; these, with 52 the previous 

 year, make a total of 195 members in two years ; nearly one-half have become 

 life members. Deducting withdrawals, which have been few, and deceased 

 -members, the present total number is 704. 



Numbers alone often add but little to the real usefulness of a Society, 

 though in an association like ours, it is gratifying to have the sympathy and 

 countenance of all ; and it is pleasant to be able to state that a large part of 

 the increase of last year, embraces real lovers of Rural art, and many of them 

 amateurs or professional cultivators, who will take pleasure in being contribu- 

 tors to our exhibitions, and have a laudable pride in excellmg in the products 

 of their skill. 



The finances of the Society exhibit a condition which will be cheering and 

 satisfactory to every member. Our total wealth on the 1st of January, 1864, 

 was $198,160.35, with $102,500 available for the erection of a new building. 

 Of this, $53,100 have been already expended in the construction of the edi- 

 fice ; and adding our present resources, the Treasurer informs me that the 

 total means of the Society, for the erection of the building on the 1st of Jan- 

 uary, 1865, were $104,604.54, showing a gain, notwithstanding large taxes, 

 insurance, &c., of $2,100. 



Mount Auburn gives us, for the last year, the handsome sum of $7,500, the 

 largest amount we have ever received from this source. As the committee 

 upon the purchase of the Montgomery House estate did not estimate the av- 

 erage above $5,000, this is a gain upon their estimate. 



The erection of the new Hall has progressed most favorably. The corner- 

 stone was laid on the 18th of August, and the building is already roofed-in 

 and ready for interior finishing. The summer has been dry and favorable for 

 building, and it is believed a more substantial structure has not been erected 

 in our city. The exterior design needs no comment from me, and the interior 

 accommodations are already apparent to every member who may choose to 

 examine them. It is the general impression that the two halls will be ample 

 to afford all the space the Society now needs, or will ever require, and the 

 proportions are such as to greatly enhance the effect of our exhibitions. 



As regards the financial bearing of our enterprise, it is the confident belief 

 that it will enable the Society to obtain all its own accommodations free of 

 expense. The corner store on Bromfield street has been leased, and there are 

 several applications for the corner store on Montgomery place, as well as for 

 those on Bromfield street, and from the present increased value of rents I 

 think I may safely say the gain will considerably exceed what was considered 

 at one time the rather enthusiastic ideas of some of your Committee. 



We are informed by Mr. Bryant, the architect, that we can without doubt 

 have the building completed by July 1st next, perhaps before that period, but 

 not in time to be available for our spring or opening exhibition. We enter- 

 tain the hope it will be ready in June, when its dedication can take place in 



