16 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1893. 



live stock. Much was accomplished for the development of 

 Pomology, although the term itself was scarcely known ; and in 

 a day when the stage-coach supplied the swiftest means of inter- 

 course, knowledge and dissemination of newer and choicer varie- 

 ties of Apple, Pear, Peach, and Plum, increased with a rapidity 

 that appears now almost incredible. They enjoyed the Baldwin 

 and Rhode Island Greening, — so were sure of their pies ; the 

 Bartlett and Seckel answering for dessert. In the variety and 

 high quality of home-grown Peaches, their children have never 

 equalled them. Not content, however, so long as there were 

 better things in prospect ; and thoroughly convinced, from indi- 

 vidual experience that the cultivation of Garden and Orchard 

 exacted and would justify exclusive attention ; tlie more saga- 

 cious of these men founded this Worcester County Horticultu- 

 ral Society, designed and declared to be for " advancement of 

 the Science and encouragement and improvement of the Practice 

 of Horticulture." Pursuing that aim, and adhering closely to 

 that uniform line of policy, Horticulture has advanced with giant 

 strides in this its congenial home. Town and city alike have felt 

 the power of our organization, the eye and palate being equally 

 gratified by its beneficent influence. We have followed our own 

 beaten paths, interfering with none, antagonizing none ; possibly 

 provoking attempts at feeble rivalry, but never of set purpose 

 challenging it. 



Yet, of late, we have been cajoled to abate somewhat of our 

 energy, and, out of superfluous good nature, surrender a portion 

 of our chosen field to the spasmodic guidance of the Agricultural 

 Society. Is it not time for us to pause and reflect if we are war- 

 ranted in so doing ! If we fully carry out the objects for which 

 we were incorporated when we abnegate the exercise of our 

 functions in favor of others who profess readiness and ability to 

 conduct them, one week in the year ! Whether, in short, we 

 are prepared to admit the existence of another Society, in this 

 County, which is capable of doing our especial work so much 

 better than ourselves that we are ready and willing to quit the 

 field, even but for a brief period ? There can be no escape from 

 this conclusion : either others do our duty more satisfactorily, 

 which we freely acknowledge by our inaction ; or we stand one 



