22 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1868. 



society is uot, however, at present accomplishing the purposes of its founders, 

 appears to him capable of demonstration. That it should at least make an 

 efifort so to do probably few will deny. For himself, he can only say that, while 

 willing to labor in the place to which he has been assigned by your partiality, 

 so long as he can be of use, he wishes it distinctly understood that he cannot 

 continue the figure head of an organization that will not prove true to its mis- 

 sion. He would, however, respectfully suggest that the Trustees be advised to 

 adopt the following resolution : 



Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed with instructions to consider 

 the subject of the present condition of this Society as affecting the objects and 

 pursuits for which it was founded ; that the said committee confer with any 

 committee that may be appointed to meet them by the Trustees of the Worces- 

 ter Agricultural Society, to the end that, after mutual consultation, it may be 

 determined if any restoration of the ancient relations of the two Societies shall 

 be desirable, expedient or practicable ; and that said committee on the part of 

 this Society make report of their action to a special meeting to be called here- 

 after for its consideration. 



The operations of the Society throughout the summer call for no extended 

 remark. The weekly meetings in that season, as during the entire year that 

 has just elapsed, have fluctuated in attraction and attendance. The show of 

 Roses and Strawberries, which has been continued since 1864, was of unusual 

 excellence. But it is only doing justice to the community, for whose instruc- 

 tion and delight these exhibitions were initiated, to state that they appear to 

 awaken the least possible interest. And it will be a question well worth con- 

 sidering in 1869 whether these exhibitions, if continued, may not be advanta- 

 geously held in the library instead of the main hall. 



But two dishes of Currants were shown, by as many contributors, in the whole 

 season. The worm has done its work effectually. Of the two lots exhibited, 

 that of your secretary was secured by a free use of air-slaked lime, which is 

 proved to be a certain, though not particularly ornamental safeguard. The 

 currants of Mr. Joseph E. Phelps, superior as they were in every respect, owed 

 their preservation to the use of white hellebore, which has been tested the past 

 season with signal and unvarying success. Its great cost, however, is an ob- 

 jection to its general use. In Mr. Phelps' method of application it is believed 

 by your secretary that this evil of expense is obviated. He uses it in solution, 

 in the proportion of three tablespoonfuls to a bucket of water, and remarks 

 that the worms "drop as if shot." Should this mode of applying hellebore ap- 

 prove itself, upon further trial, to be as effectual as it was found by Mr. Phelps 

 that gentleman would seem entitled to claim the special premium offered by the 

 Trustees. It is but an act of simple justice, however, to add that, for this purse 

 there may be competition. Your secretary has received a communication from 

 William T. Harris, gardener to George Cromptou, Esq., from which the fol- 

 lowing important extract is taken for your information : 



"Take whale oil soap, dissolved at the rate of 5 lbs. to 15 gallons of water. 

 Let the soap be dissolved first in boiling water, 1 quart to a pound, and when 

 thoroughly dissolved add the cold water, (§oft water is best,) after which, with 



