34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



necessary for our purpose, and besides, will not the reverse appear all the bright- 

 er for the contrast ? That we may not be charged with finding it easier to 

 discover faults with the existing state of things, than to invent a remedy, we 

 shall hazard a few suggestions. First. Shall we or shall we not increase the 

 amounts of our premiums ? And this inquiry leads to another ; will any increase 

 within our means secure the offering in competition of those things so often 

 withheld ? We believe it is not necessary to do so, to attain the desired 

 result, and moreover we fee] that the prizes offered are fair and generous in 

 view of our present condition and future prospects. If the object in co:r;peting, 

 were simply to obtain the prizes, we would advise a discontinuance by the 

 Society of all awards. But such is not, cannot be the case. Horticulture 

 teaches a better lesson, and those who spread our tables often so richly, are 

 apt learners. Then let each grower make it a personal matter, feeling his 

 own share of responsibility, and our shows will at once assume a character of 

 usefulness and credit to the Society. That done, we come to a second considera- 

 tion. That our exhibitions may be useful to the public, two things are necessary, 

 viz, : — They should be held at an hour when people can attend them without a 

 great sacrifice of private interest: and then the community should be properly 

 notified of the fact. Regarding the time ; it is believed that a more^ unfavorable 

 and inconvenient hour, for business men, heads of families, or school children, 

 could not be selected in any part of any day in the week than from 12 to 2 on 

 Saturday. As to any information the public may have of our free weekly 

 shows, we believe that not one in a hundred of our citizens are aware of them, 

 and many who do know of them, do ni^t know that they are free, or for the 

 public at all, but look upon us as a " mutual admiration society, where growers 

 bring in their products, divide their prizes, and go home." As a remedy for this, 

 we would suggest a fair amount of judicious advertising as a good investment 



Meetings for discussion have been spoken of as efficient and desirable 

 auxiliaries to our work, but as this is not exactly in our province, and may be 

 treated by another committee, we leave it with this allusion. 



Other points of interest might be mentioned as having an influence on our 

 future prosperity, but as many of them will suggest themselves to your minds 

 we forbear, and close with a tender of our heartfelt thanks, to all contributors 

 over whose offerings our labors have extended, for their generous cooperation 

 with us, and their uniform kindness and cheerful acquiescence in our decisions. 

 We dare express the hope that these feelings are reciprocal. 



To the Society, so confidingly trusting important interests in our hands, we 



return our sincere acknowledgments. 



E. AUGUSTUS STORY, 



F Approved, Chairman, 



E. W. BUSWELL, "^ 



J. C. Hovty, 



C. H. B, Breck, ! Commiltee on Fbwers 



S. H. GiBBKNs, f for 18ti5. 



James McTear, j 



Geo. Craft, J 



