b MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



of plants. Such opportunities as this furnish a good test of our 

 capabilities, and show what we have acquired ; each member is 

 ready to do his best, and those who visited Music Hall during the 

 August exhibition will need no reminder of the beautiful result. 



In a financial point of view, the Chrysanthemum Show in 

 November was by far the best of its kind ever held by the 

 Society, and fully emphasized the fact that the public appreciate a 

 good exhibition if it presents something out of the regular course, 

 and is not a mere repetition of its predecessors. 



A gratifying improvement has been apparent also in the weekly 

 shows of the season, man}' of them being of remarkable excel- 

 lence and giving the best incentive to our exhibitors to keep up the 

 standard, each one striving still further to excel. 



One of our members has suggested the value of membership in 

 our Society, and how much he has enjoyed its privileges ; instead 

 of a membership of eight hundred, we ought to have on our list 

 twice that number. Can we not each endeavor to bring in one or 

 more new names to the list? 



I am glad to notice by the report of the Library Committee, a 

 more general use of the books. Our privileges in this respect are 

 extensive ; we have one of the finest libraries of its kind in the 

 world ; the rooms are pleasant and convenient, and it would be 

 advantageous to promote social interchange and increase mutual 

 interest in this beautiful science. These privileges not being 

 restricted to members, and the competition for prizes being open, 

 to all, the liberality of the city and of the Commonwealth towards 

 our Society is repaid in kind. 



And this leads me to emphasize the importance of the meetings 

 for discussion, as a branch of our work which deserves more 

 attention from memliers, and which ought to attract public interest 

 also. The papers read here are from practical and scientific men, 

 upon subjects relating to practical Horticulture and Agriculture, 

 and they deserve fuller notice by the press, which I hope our 

 Committee may make arrangements to insure. The Chairman of 

 the Committee says the Tkansactions will in time become an 

 eucycloptvdia of practical Horticulture. The delays which have 

 occurred in preparing these transactions have been unavoidable, 

 owing to repairs being made in the halls and library, during 1889, 

 necessitating frequent interruptions to our Secretary's labors. 



