MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



5 



more talks each month on natural history subjects. A total of eighty- 

 seven meetings have been held and for many of these the lantern in 

 Blake Hall has proved indispensable. Officers of these societies include 

 public school teachers, college instructors, supervisors, the city forester, 

 and park florist; and the intermingling of all of these in various organiza- 

 tions naturally results in the work of each society being planned to 

 accomplish the common object of co-operation with the general educational 

 system of our city. 



Fruit and Flower Shows. 



Nothing undertaken at the museum has attracted more people than 

 have the flower shows conducted by the Springfield Amateur Horti- 

 cultural Society. Four were held during the past season and the Spring- 

 field Republican's gift of $200 in prize money was contested for with 

 enthusiasm by children and adults. The 1913 series surpassed the 1912 

 shows and the new feature of fruit and vegetable displays was added 

 by the Hampden County Improvement League. Results were a decided 

 credit to the societies and to the museum. It is hoped that some pro- 

 vision will be made to assure the permanency of such work. A fund 

 from which an income of even $150 or $200 could be used for prizes 

 would accomplish this, and result in permanently fostering an interest 

 so wholesome and desirable. 



By the consolidation of this and other kindred societies the Hampden 

 County Horticultural Society has recently been formed. It is felt that 

 this combination will produce a stronger organization from which even 

 better results may be expected. 



Attendance. 



All of these activities bring to the museum greater numbers of visitors. 

 The flower shows attracted hundreds of people and although it has 

 been practically impossible to keep exact records, there has surely been 

 a decided increase over the past estimate of 42,000 per year. Sunday 

 continues to be the popular day, bringing an average attendance of one 

 hundred and thirty- three people to enjoy the exhibits. 



The Catharine L. Howard Library. 



At the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Catharine L. Howard 

 school for girls which was held in the Howard Memorial Library early 

 in the year, the abiding influence of a strong personality was impressively 

 felt. For this reunion hundreds of women came together and in the 



