manifested, in conferring upon me tlie distinguished 

 position whicli I heave held during the past year, as 

 your presiding officer. And I find myself, by your suf- 

 frage, presented with the renewed , assurance of your 

 partiality and regard, in requiring me to resume the 

 same duties for the ensuing year. Please accept my 

 most grateful feelings for this renewed instance of your 

 confidence and respect ; and it will be my constant 

 study and care to discharge the duties that devolve 

 upon me, with the utmost fidelity and impartiality. 



With these assurances, I enter upon the duties for 

 the approaching year, and feel fully sensible of my 

 want of talent and ability, to enable me to perform 

 them to your satisfaction. Therefore, I must claim 

 your friendly aid and assistance, as well as indulgence, 

 in carrying out the important object for which we are 

 united, and in which we all feel such absorbing interest. 

 It is some years since a Horticultural Society was 

 organized in this city, and we have reason to regret 

 that its existence was not of long duration — the cir- 

 cumstances which led to its dissolution we are not 

 familiar with. But we rejoice that the impulses it had 

 awakened for the love of the science, did not expire 

 with it. The energy it has inspired has been constant 

 in beautifying the abodes of the living, and covering 

 with flowers the resting place of the dead. Impelled by 

 the desire to create and extend a more general diffu- 

 sion of horticultural beauty, a few gentlemen assem- 

 bled together on the evening of the 27th of January 



