188 Massachusetts Horiiculiural Societi/. 



sum to be charged for the use of the tent, is not yet decided on; but ■vvonid 

 not, probably, for the time the society would wish it, exceed $125. The 

 Messrs. Hovey have the charge of the public garden, tl;ie only place adapted 

 to an exhibition of the character refen-ed to ; it has been, heretofore, let by 

 them, on an occasion somewhat similar, for one-fourth of the net receipts of 

 the exhibition, and could be obtained for the society, if they desire it, on 

 terms not less favorable. 



As this subject is one about which entire unanimity of opinion does not, at 

 present, exist, and as no exigency requires an immediate decision Avith re- 

 spect to it, your committee are of opinion, that, with their recommendation 

 of its favorable consideration, it had better be referred to the conmiittee of 

 aiTangements, with authority to take such measures, in relation to it, as they 

 may deem expedient. Several months must elapse, before the occasion con- 

 templated will an-ive ; and during that time, that committee will be able to 

 form some opmion, as to the space tliat will be required to be provided for 

 the exhibition ; will be able to inform themselves, in many particulars, as to 

 the expense attending the having it under a tent, of which your committee 

 are now uninformed ; will probably have an opportunity to see the tent when 

 erected, and thus be qualified to form a more correct judgment than can now 

 be arrived at, Avith respect to the expediency of the proposed measure. 



One other matter, that, though foreign to the objects of their original ap- 

 pointment, has been referred to them by a vote of the society, remains to be 

 considered by your committee ; and that is, the frequency and manner of 

 holding the regular exhibitions of the society for the ensuing season. Here- 

 tofore, it has been usual to have an exliibition, by the society, on every Sat- 

 urday tlirough the year ; tliese exliibitions being held, during the summer, 

 in the hall of tlie society, and at otlier seasons, in tlie library room. To 

 tliese Aveekly exhibitions, the public were originally admitted without charge ; 

 but as some inconvenience Avas supposed to have resulted from this course, 

 recently, a small admission fee was demanded. For a very considerable 

 period, the Aveekly exhibitions of the society were numerously attended; but 

 more recently, eitlier because a fee has been charged for admission, or for 

 some other cause, tliey seem to have lost their attractions for the public. 

 This is much to be regretted by the society, and should be by tliose interest- 

 ed in horticultural pursuits, y/ho may not be enrolled among its members. 

 The principal stimulus to contributions to these exhibitions, is tlie very natu- 

 ral desire, on the part of individuals, to bring to the notice of the public, the 

 results of tlioir successful cultivation or active enterprise, as exhibited in 

 the production of superior specimens, or the introduction of ncAv varieties. 

 If these exhibitions, tlien, cease to be attractive to visitors, the main incite- 

 ments to contributions Avill be AvitlidraAvn, and they foil longer to be objects 

 of interest Avitli tlie members of tlie society, Avhile the public will no longer 

 be offered an opportunity, should it be desired, to form, by personal inspec- 

 tion, an opinion of the novelties or rarities tliat may be produced. Under 

 these circumstances, the adoption of one of tAvo measures has been suggest- 

 ed to your committee, as expedient for the society ; that is, to attempt the 

 rendering of tliese exhibitions more attractive, by having them less frequently, 



