ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT SPOONER, 7 



difficulties of our changeable climate. We hear that experiments 

 have been made in New York by crossings with JRosa rugosa, 

 which is undoubtedly a true basis to work from. Judging from 

 experience, it would seem wise to promote interest in this depart- 

 ment by offering liberal prizes. 



As another measure conducive to interest in our work, I would 

 suggest that members should be furnished by mail with copies of 

 the programmes for the discussions of the season, and with the 

 Schedule of Prizes, and should be informed that the published 

 Transactions of the Society can be obtained by application to the 

 Secretary. Members should also be notified of the quarterly meet- 

 ings. The Treasurer should give due notice to annual members 

 of their assessment dues, and new members should be furnished 

 with a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws. With the modern 

 facilities for supplying wrappers and superscriptions, the extra 

 expense would not be very large, and the labor need not fall 

 upon the Secretar}-, to add to his duties. It seems to me that 

 this might prove helpful as a reminder to members of what is going 

 on here. 



I regret that the special Committee on Window Gardening has 

 not 3'et reported, but from the preliminary statement of its 

 Secretary, we can judge that the work has made rapid progress 

 during the past year, and would seem to be worthy of continued 

 support. 



During the past year the Society has lost by death several 

 prominent members, one of whom, Aaron D. Weld, of West Rox- 

 bury, joined this organization in 1829, the year of its formation. 

 Other valuable members were Henry Weld Fuller, of Roxbury, 

 so long identified with our affairs as Vice President, and at the 

 time of his death a member of the Executive Committee ; Charles 

 L. Flint, of Boston, for many years Secretary of the State Board 

 of Agriculture ; Henry Shaw of St. Louis, a Corresponding Mem- 

 ber, well known as the distinguished philanthropist who gave so 

 large a sum to further the cause of botanical education in St. 

 Louis; and William C. Harding, of Stamford, Conn., formerly a 

 large contributor to our exhibitions, for each of whom suitable 

 memorials have been offered. Two other valuable members have 

 passed from us, James Cartwright of Wellesley, for several years 

 a very efficient member of the Committee on Plants and Flowers, 

 an honest man of most reliable judgment ; and James O'Brien of 



