30 



witnessed the exhibitions of the Society, weekly, monthly, 

 annually, year after year, and are undoubtedly familiar with 

 our fruits and flowers, and have yourselves added, by your 

 own skill, to the long catalogue, many varieties, whose ac- 

 knowledged beauty and superior qualities have enriched 

 every garden and given value to every orchard. 



If, through a period of more than thirty years, you have, 

 by your devotion to the great purposes of the Society, fol- 

 lowed it from place to place — cheered and encouraged by 

 its onward progress — until it has reached the elevated posi- 

 tion it now holds, how great must be your delight, and 

 what deep emotions of gratitude spring up in your hearts, 

 that you have found a permanent home ! In the contem- 

 plation of the past, as well as in the anticipations of the 

 future, how much there is to awaken in us renewed feel- 

 ings of joy, exultation and pride, not in a vain or arrogant 

 spirit, but humbly thankful that, through the course of so 

 many years, unvarying success should have attended your 

 labors, harmonious action governed your deliberations, and 

 a judicious administration of your aflfairs enabled you to 

 erect this costly and beautiful edifice. 



But let not this prosperity decrease your ardor or lessen 

 your labors in your favorite pursuit. Rather let it rekindle 

 and fire your zeal for new conquests. Your duties and 

 responsibilities have increased with your growth. If you 

 have pulled down that you might build greater — if you 

 have grasped the prize of a life-long ambition — let not this 

 result satisfy you. If you are the possessor of a garden 



