8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



To carry on our work we must have income, and the larger 

 our income the greater must be our success on the lines for 

 which we are incorporated ; and, provided we apply it most 

 wisely and conservatively, it will continue to us in increasing 

 quantity. 



It would not, in my opinion, be lessening our benevolent work, 

 but rather increasing it, to charge a reasonable fee to non-mem- 

 bers visiting our exhibitions, subject to a judicious issue of the 

 usual complimentary passes. 



Our Society should be benevolent to the public by allowing the 

 non-members to contribute toward the good that the Society aims 

 to do for the public and horticulture in general. 



If our exhibitions are to increase in horticultural profit to those 

 who view them, and the prizes are to continue in their present 

 or increased liberality to those who win them, the non-member 

 beneficiaries can, and in reason will, be ready to contribute 

 toward the success and perpetuation of our work. 



Our Library is valuable, and appeals to lovers of horticulture 

 to make greater use of the books upon its shelves. Consider- 

 able work is done and money spent, annually, to keep it in an 

 advanced condition, and we hope that all possible good to the 

 State shall come from its being well used. To make its value 

 known is one way to increase its usefulness. 



The lectures given during the past season by the Society were 

 generally of much value, and their usefulness Avas promoted as 

 much as was possible by the help from lantern-slide pictures. 



We were fortunate in having with us, as lecturers during the 

 season of 1897, officers of the Department of Agriculture at 

 Washington, and professors from universities and colleges, as 

 well as men of practical experience, and Ave can congratulate the 

 Committee and ourselves upon the result. 



The small attendance at our adjourned meetings would seem 

 to indicate either a decreasing interest in our work, or that our 

 members believed that our business meetings were too frequent. 

 I have been led to examine our constitution to see by what 

 authority our monthly business meetings are held. I find onh' 

 four stated meetings required by our constitution, i.e., the first 

 Saturdays in January, April, July, and October, with provision 

 for calling other meetings when deemed necessary. 



The Executive Committee are to meet monthly, and to report 



