248 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



Society to choose its Treasurer and Secretary in such manner as its 

 By-laws may from time to time provide. 



In the early years of the Society these two offices were elective, 

 but from the year 1876 until 1903, by a doubtful interpretation of 

 the Charter, they were filled by appointment by the executive 

 management. This latter method having been declared by emi- 

 nent counsel as contrary to the requirement of the Charter it was 

 necessary in framing the new By-laws of 1904 to return to the 

 former usage until the Charter could be so amended as to allow 

 of the appointment of the Treasurer and Secretary by the Board of 

 Trustees. 



This change in the Charter necessitated several amendments 

 to the By-laws which were approved by the Society at the last 

 annual meeting, together with an amendment authorizing the Board 

 of Trustees to appropriate an amount sufficient to cover the annual 

 appropriations for prizes and gratuities. 



The publications for the year and the dates of issue are as follows : 

 February 3. Schedule of Prizes and Exhibitions, 56 pages. 

 October IS. Transactions, 1905, Part I, pages 1-105. 

 November 3. Transaction, 1904, Part II, pages 203-374 and 

 plates 15-23. 



By the John C. Chaffin bequest, received the present year, the 

 income of $1000.00 will be annually devoted to the furtherance of 

 his special interest in roses. 



The many miscellaneous inquiries for information on horti- 

 cultural subjects have received the interested attention of the 

 Secretary and have been answered to the best of his ability. In 

 this connection the Secretary is pleased to acknowledge the assist- 

 ance received from the chairmen and members of the various 

 committees of the Society as well as from its valuable library. 



The Library. 



At the suggestion of the Library Committee especial attention 

 has been given during the present year to the arrangement of further 

 exchanges of publications with horticultural societies and scienti- 



