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Fortunate was the Society in having in the presiding 

 officer one who was so thoroughly imbued with a love of 

 horticulture — whose leisure hours were devoted to its pur- 

 suit — whose means had enabled him to introduce various 

 new fruits, plants and flowers, and whose distinguished ser- 

 A'ices in Pomology continued up to this day, though now 

 lessened by illness, but whose presence we hail to-day with 

 more than ordinary pleasure after an absence of nearly two 

 years. Others, also deeply interested in our pursuit, were 

 called to the responsibihties and duties of President, and 

 the Society enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity, such as few 

 similar associations can claim. 



In the space of ten more years the Society had awarded 

 numerous gold medals, in addition to its regular prizes, to 

 the amount of several hundred dollars, for Seedhng Camel- 

 lias, Strawberries, Roses, Azaleas, Cherries, and for the in- 

 troduction of fruits and flowers, the result of the interest 

 created by the activity and zeal with which it had been 

 conducted by those who had been called to discharge the 

 responsible duties of officers and committees. Just at this 

 time that large and elegant hall, — so long wanted by the 

 increasing musical taste of our citizens, — was erected, and 

 its great size at once commended it as the only suitable 

 place for our annual exhibitions — always hazardous when 

 held in the open air so late in the season, in our change- 

 able climate — though acknowledged to be delightful and 

 agreeable in other respects. The tent was abandoned 

 and the spacious Music Hall has since then afforded 



