74 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



lie will Foon learn what we are doing^; and there is too much intelligence, loo 

 much taste, and too much liberality in the community to allow the labors of 

 such an institution as ours to go unrewarded. The responsibilities we have 

 incurred will be met in the sprit in which they have been made. 



It is just two years ago today since a committee was chosen to consider the 

 expediency of erecting a building. The doubts and fears of that day have 

 been dispelled, and the building is now complete, with the exception of the 

 beautiful statues — the gifts of generous men— which will undoubtedly be 

 ready for their appropriate places by the 1st of May next. The stores have 

 all been leased to responsible tenants, and the two halls have been constantly 

 occupied since they have been dedicated. The upper or large hall has been 

 furnished with neat, appropriate and substantial seats, making it a desirable 

 place for concerts or lectures. It is now occupied on Sundays for religious 

 worship, by the society of Mr. Gaylord. So far as we have heard, it has giv- 

 en entire satisfaction, and for fairs, of which three have already been held, the 

 two halls afFor(^ greater conveniences than any building in the city. 



The library has been furnished agreeably to a vote of the Society, under 

 the direction of the library committee, and you have ample evidence of .the 

 good taste and excellent manner in which they have discharged the duties 

 committed to them. The library is in a flourishing condition. The chairman 

 has stated in his annual report that the number of books taken out is constantly 

 • increasing, and under his careful supervision no doubt it will become a power- 

 ful auxiliary in the diffusion of a more correct taste, and sound principles of 

 cultivation. It is the object of the committee, as it is the desire of the Soci- 

 ety, to have the library open at all times, and become, as it should, an attrac- 

 tive place of resort to every member. 



I am happy to inform you that we have received from Mount Auburn Ceme- 

 tery, for 1865, the very large sum of upwards of $10,000, which is more than 

 was ever paid to the Society. This great increase, without any additional ex- 

 penses, will afford increased means of reducing the floating debt incurred in 

 the erection of the building, and enable the Society to begin at an early peri- 

 od the fund necessary for the payment of the mortgages upon the property. 

 If the receipts shall continue to increase, or even remain as large for a few 

 years, with the aid of rents received from the two halls, the entire debt of the 

 Society will soon be cancelled. 



The Report of the Finance Committee will give you all the Transactions 

 of the year, and I have no doubt you will find them highly satisfactory. 

 There has been paid on construction account, one hundred and twenty thous- 

 and one hundred and seventy-three dollars eighty-five cents (120,173 85). 

 Notes have been given to the amount of sixteen thousand three hundred and 

 fifty-five dollars and fifty-five cents, ($16,355 55) making the cost of the build- 

 ing $136,529 40. For furniture, chandeliers, &c., there has been paid five 

 thousand two hundred and twenty-seven dollars eighty-six cents, ($5,227,86); 

 being a total for the building, and furnishing the same, of $141,757 26. 



