20 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1868, 



as it did so much of labor and outlay, are adduced as ample vindication of the 

 wisdom of those who projected and achieved the enlargement of its grounds and 

 operations. 



Your secretary never wavered in his faith that similar good fortune wt)uld 

 attend us, in the change of location and the construction of a more eligible 

 hall, as recommended in his later reports. You are all aware that the capacity 

 of our hall is limited, and that its proportions could scarcely be enlarged, save 

 by upright erection. The recent acquisition of land in the rear of the build- 

 ing, although eminently wise in itself, cannot, for an obvious reason, be profit- 

 ably employed for the purposes of construction. Possessing, then, just so 

 much space, receiving annually precisely so much patronage, if, indeed, it does 

 not diminish, will you consent longer simply to vegetate ? The policy, formerly 

 suggested by your secretary, did not meet your approbation. He has consoled 

 himself since by reflecting that the measure of acceptation that may be ac- 

 corded to an idea is sometimes in inverse ratio to its merit. 



If consolidation is beneficial to other corporations, why, it is argued, should 

 it not prove advantageous to societies engaged, as are the Agricultural and our 

 own, in kindred pursuits ? A reunion, it is suggested, would constitute us a 

 vital portion of one large and powerful organization, unequalled in numbers, 

 and only surpassed in pecuniary resources by the Horticultural Society of Mas- 

 sachusetts. Such an organization could, as it ought, aflPord inducements for 

 experiments and improvements. It could, as it should, encourage the introduc- 

 tion and domestication of new vegetables, fruits and flowers, aye, even of ani- 

 mals. It would be able, and being able might be disposed, to compensate, 

 however inadequately, much service upon committees and elsewhere, that is 

 now grudgingly repaid in thanks. Its membership would be sought, as confer- 

 ring dignity upon its possessor, and might therefore be appreciated at its proper 

 value. Its offices could be filled without the actual coercion that is now re- 

 quired, or the direct appeals to public spirit or local pride that have hitherto 

 proved indispensible. The two societies, in their separate existence, have done 

 much to develope throughout the county a love for the beautiful and useful in 

 nature. The town clubs, which have so multiplied of late, have deepened and 

 widened this influence in their several localities. But what limit can be as- 

 signed to the power and capacity for usefulness of a society which should con- 

 centrate within itself all that wealth and zeal and energy, and direct them with 

 a single aim and a deliberate purpose ? 



A re-union would not necessitate a removal of the Library to Agricultural 

 Hall. Were such to be the result, this society should not entertain the propo- 

 sition for a moment. If the present room could not be retained, future exemp- 

 tion from taxation would supply the means for the hire of another in possibly a 

 more eligible location. The Public Library of the city of Worcester will soon 

 outgrow its accommodations. Upon the construction of a new and more suit- 

 able edifice, space might be spared for us. The weekly exhibitions could con- 

 tinue uninterrupted. 



