256 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the others ; but the beginning of that part of the Transactions is 

 now in the printer's hands and it will be completed as speedily as 

 possible. 



In my report as Librarian for 1S95 I remarked that the work of 

 binding the Agricultural Newspapers, which for the previous five 

 years had been preserved as permanent additions to the Library, 

 should not be much longer delayed. I am glad to be able now 

 to report that during the present year sixty-two volumes of this 

 class have been bound. Although this is not a great number, 

 and though the cheapest bindings consistent wnth strength and 

 durability were selected, the books were of so large size that the 

 expense absorbed a considerable part of the library appropriation. 

 The next heavy work in the way of binding is our large collection 

 of Experiment Station Reports ; this will be done as soon as time 

 and funds permit. 



The great interest in mushrooms the last two or three years 

 induced the Library Committee to add to those already in the 

 Library a selection of works on that subject, some of which are 

 illustrated with colored plates. These books have afforded much 

 gratification to members of the Society and others who are study- 

 ing that class of plants. 



Among other additions to the Library is a volume containing the 

 anniversary addresses and other publications of the Society from 

 its beginning in 1829 to 1837 inclusive. Although the Society 

 already possessed copies of all these publications, interest is added 

 to this volume by the fact that the pamphlets containing them 

 were collected by the first President, General Dearborn, and that 

 the volume has a title page, preface, and table of contents in his 

 handwriting, the preface being signed by him and giving an account 

 of the inception of the Society and the establishment by it of 

 Mount Auburn Cemetery. There is also a copy of two circulars 

 sent out to call the meetings which resulted in the formation of 

 the Society, and a copy of the Order of Exercises at the Conse- 

 cration of Mount Auburn. This unique volume was the gift of 

 Edward C. R. Walker, whose lamented death on the 11th of 

 October last has added to its value. 



The work of completing imperfect sets has been steadily pursued. 

 Our set of the Farmer's Magazine in ninety-three volumes, London, 

 1834-1881, has been completed by the fortunate purchase of the 

 first nine volumes. In years past we have printed in connection 



