MR. hoyey's address. 73 



ably held. This resolve, firmly maintained, has enabled us to formally dedi- 

 cate this Temple to Horticultural Science. This surely should make this 

 opening meeting of the year one of more than ordinary interest, and one de- 

 serving our hearty congratulations. 



The year just brought to a close has therefore been, at least to us, one of 

 great satisfaction, — for the peaceful reunion of our country, and the return of 

 our Society to the plrce it so long cccupitd. The completion of the building 

 so late in the year, gave us but little opportunity to enjoy its advantages, but 

 all who M'ere present at the Annual Exhibition — the first one held in this edi- 

 fice — will attest to the size and beauty of the halls, and their complete adapt- 

 ation to the wants of the Society. A year of occupation aviU enable us to 

 appreciate more fully all its conveniences. 



The past season was certainly not a very propitious one to the cultivator. 

 Unprecedented drought told severely upon the garden and the orchard. 

 Flowers and plants suffered from the absence of the much-needed rain. Had 

 the building been completed in the spring, and had our exhibitions, been 

 made here, we might have regretted that our exhibitors did not show more 

 enthusiasm with so many inducements to make a display. But in the prem- 

 ises we occupied this was not materially noticed, and the weekly exhibitions 

 of the summer were really very good. The Annual Show, as you have al- 

 ready been informed by the chairmen of your respective committees, in their 

 excellent reports, was a grand success. Every foot of available space was 

 filled, and still more room was needed. The pears were never equalled at 

 any previous exhibition. The Committee of Arrangements labored diligently 

 to accommodate every contributor ; but as they could not or did not antici- 

 pate so much in so unfavorable a year, and with halls of which they could 

 not have any experience as to the arrangement of tables, there were some in- 

 conveniences which will not probably occur again. 



For the first time for many years, I am glad to announce, if you are not 

 already aware of the fact, that the Annual Exhibition was a financial success, 

 giving a reasonable surplus into the Treasury, in the present needs of the 

 Society. I have myself no doubt that you have witnessed the last of these ex- 

 hibitions, — got up with so mucli labor and great expense, — which will not pay. 

 It is unnecessary to refer to some of the causes which have combined to make 

 them expensive to the Society. Hereafter I think there need not be any 

 fear of a proper appreciation of the magnificent products of our gardens, 

 which are so bountifully placed before the public. The Society does not 

 now expect or look to gain alone, as an object of their annual display. They 

 are to bring out all the rich treasures of the garden, the greenhouse, and the 

 orchard — to show what are the most beautiful flowers and the best fruits — to 

 elevate the standard of cultivation, — and to encourage and reward the gardener 

 and amateur for the best specimens of their skill. But just in proportion as 

 these exhibitions are successful in aiding the Society in its means to accom- 

 plish these objects, they will faitiifully be devoted to that purpose. The pub- 



