1869.] 



secretary's report. 25 



American Journal of Horticulture, 1868, Vol. 4; octavo ; srcMy. 

 Farmer's Implements and Machines; John J. Thoma^ ; new edition, 18G9; 

 2 vols, tvvelvemo ; society. 



Practical Poultry Keeper ; L. Wright ; London ; 1 vol. twelvemo, society. 

 Propagation, Culture, and History of the Rose ; by S. B. Parsons ; 1 vol. 

 twelvemo. 



American Naturalist, 18o8-'69 ; 1 vol. octavo, Vol. 2, society. 

 N. E. Farmer, 18G8-'69 ; 1 vol. octavo ; society. 

 Country Gentleman; 1 vol. folio ; Vols. 31 and 32 ; society. 

 American Agriculturist ; Vol.27; society. 



The volumes have been in constant use. Although a slight diminution is ap- 

 parent in the number circulated during the past year, yet the demand for pur- 

 poses of consultation and study, within the library-room itself, has been of more 

 than usual magnitude. Within no similar period has its value for such applica- 

 tion of its contents, so rapidly and materially enhanced. The usual compara- 

 tive table is appended to illustrate the extent to which members have availed 

 themselves of the privilege of circulation. 



In 1862, 114 volumes. 



In 1863, 133 volumes. 



In 1864, 179 volumes. 



In 1865, 318 volumes. 



In 1866, 387 volumes. 



In 1867, 470 volumes. 



In 1868, 580 volumes. 



In 1869, 510 volumes. 



It will doubtless be within the recollection of most of those present that at the 

 annual meeting of the society in 1868, a resolution submitted by the Secretary 

 was referred to the Trustees. That resolution was in the words following, 

 to wit : 



" Resolved, That a committee of five (5) be appointed with instructions to 

 consider the present condition of the society as affecting the objects and pur- 

 suits for which it was founded. That the said committee confer with any com- 

 mittee that may be appointed to meet them by the Trustees of the Worcester 

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

 mined 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 hereafter 

 for its consideration." 



As the committee designated by the Trustees under the reference decided that 

 it was inexpedient to convene a special meeting to consider and act upon a 

 report which would have for its sole burden that no action was regarded as 

 either " desirable, expedient, or practicable,"' it may not be improper for the 

 Secretary, in his own vindication, to state that some arguments in his annual 

 report appeared to him then, as they appear still, to have confused the miuds of 



