160 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



cultural Society it is not clear whether the proprietors could as u 

 matter of right require the Society to join in these enterprises. 

 The committee was informed, however, by Mr. Cummings that the 

 proprietors have no disposition to insist on any such rights, assuming 

 that they exist, and that they were willing to make such a modifica- 

 tion of the contract as would place the matter beyond doubt. 



The committee recommended that they be authorized to cause 

 such a modification of the contract to be prepared and executed 

 as will relieve the Society from any possible obligation to participate 

 in the enterprises referred to, in consideration of its abandoning 

 any claim to share in the profits thereof, and that since the matter 

 is one of importance they may be authorized to employ counsel for 

 that purpose. 



On motion of Mr. Dorr it was voted to accept the report of the 

 committee and to authorize them to carry out the recommendations 

 therein stated. 



A communication from A. D. Hill, Esq., was presented contain- 

 ing his resignation as a member of the Board on account of the 

 pressure of other duties. It was voted, on motion of Mr. Farquhar, 

 that in consideration of Mr. Hill's valuable services as a member of 

 the Board, and that his term of office would expire at the close of the 

 current year, the resignation be not accepted. 



President Weld made an informal report in the matter of the 

 proposed settlement of the Hayes' estate. 



A communication was presented from the Committee on Plants 

 and Flowers recommending that a Special Diploma be awarded by 

 the Society to James F, M. Farquhar, in recognition of the artistic 

 and horticultural skill shown in the construction and development 

 of a Japanese Garden at Horticultural Hall, Boston, March 24, 

 1909. The recommendation was heartily adopted. 



A notice from the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture 

 was read suggesting that Societies receiving state funds contribute 

 S25.00 each on account of prizes to be offered at the New England 

 Fruit Show in October next. It was voted to refer the matter to a 

 special committee consisting of Messrs. Farquhar and Craig with 

 full authority to act in the matter. 



On motion of Mr. Farquhar it was voted to invite the New Eng- 

 land Dahlia Societv to hold its annual exhibition in Horticultural 



