TWENTY-SIXTH SESSION. 
63 
charge, and which is beyond comparison the best horticultural library in 
this country, and there are few finer ones in Europe. So, you see, I was born 
into the Horticultural Society. That Society has held its exhibitions, and its 
rooms have been opened, on every Saturday, excepting holidays, for, I think, 
seventy years— not fifty, as Mr*. Hale had it yesterday, but seventy years. 
The act of incorporation was dated June 12, 1829; which was a little before 
the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was incorporated, although that 
Society was organized a little earlier. In addition to the weekly exhibitions, 
our large exhibitions of plants, flowers, fruits and chrysanthemums, lasting 
from two to four das^s, have been attended by visitors from all over the 
country and have been influential in the promotion of horticulture. The 
influence of our Society has gradually extended, and its invitations have been 
accepted upon at least four, possibly five, occasions by the American Pomo- 
logieal Society, whose sessions have been held in Boston. Various other 
national societies, like the Forestry Association and others, have also availed 
themselves of our invitations. 
I have spoken of the library of our Society, and I want to say to you that it 
contains many works on pomology that would be of interest to you, especially 
those containing colored plates of fruits. It includes French, English, German 
and Italian books on pomology. Everyone perhaps cannot read those but the 
colored plates may be readily understood. When you come to Boston you 
must be sure to come to Pomological Hall. I now give an invitation to every- 
one here. You can come on any day of the week, and you will always find 
the latch-string out. (Applause.) 
A REGISTER OF MEMBERS. 
Mr. W. C. Strong, chairman of the Committee on Credentials here made a 
supplemental report perfecting the list presented on the previous day. 
Mr. Hartshorne said that he understood that the Committee’s record showed 
only names of delegates who had been regularly accredited by the different 
State Societies and did not include the names of other members in attend- 
ance who were neither regular delegates nor life members. He apprehended 
that, for this reason, the actual size of the present convention would be 
underrated by the public unless the secretary was careful to give out informa- 
tion to counteract any erroneous statements in the public prints. 
Prof. Al wood asked whether a record of the members present was being 
kept. 
President Waifous replied that he understood the Treasurer had Taken 
the names of the life members present and that these would be incorporated 
with those of the biennial members in a full list of the membership. 
Treasurer Taft replied that his record contained only the names of those 
from whom he had received membership fees and he had no means of ascer- 
taining as to life members at the present meeting except as they paid their 
fees at this time. 
The Secretary explained that as members reported to him they were 
recorded, and that was the only method he had of determining who were 
present. He suggested that it would be well for the new Secretary, in his 
circular, preliminary to the official publication of the Proceedings, to ascer- 
tain from members whether they had been present, as in that way only he 
could perfect the list. He added that if a registry book could be made use 
of the list might be made up at the present time. 
