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UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY

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1870

T R A N S A C T I O

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COMPRISING

THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT: THE REPORTS OF THE

COMMITTEES OF THE SOCIETY; AND THE ANNUAL

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN

FOR THE YEAR 1870.

EDITED BY

DWARD W. LINCOLN.

WORCESTER, MASS.:

PRINTED BY EDWARD R FISKE, CROMPTON'S BLOCK, MECHANIC STREET.

1871.

LmnARY

UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACHUSETTS

^HEnST, MASS.

GENERAL INDEX.

Address of Hon. Francis H. Dewey, President (Sept. 22, 1870,) 5

Report on Apples 9

Report on Grapes, Peaches, etc 11

Report on Plants, Flowers, etc 14

Report on Pears 16

Report on Vegetables 18

Annual Report of Edward W. Lincoln, Secretary and Librarian 20

Officers of the Society for 1871 Last page of Cover.

ADDRESS

OF

HON. FRANCIS H. DEWEY,

PKESIDEKT.

Delivered Thursday, September 22d, 1870.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Worcester County Horticultural Societi/ :

Of the present exhibition as a whole, I need not speak ; it speaks for itself;
its glorious success gladdens our hearts and proclaims that Mechanics Hall is
not too large for the annual display of the choice and superior fruits, the rare
and beautiful plants and flowers, and the no less creditable and valuable col-
lection of vegetables which the horticulturists of Worcester County can
always contribute. Nor need I remind you of the intellectual entertainment
of last evening. What other society can boast of having enjoyed the same
evening, the instructive eloquence of our ex-president (Gov. Bullock), the
inspiring suggestions and experience of the President of the Massachusetts
Horticultural Society (J. F. C. Hyoe, Esq.), and the rich stores of agricul-
tural learning, and well-told stories of the President of the New England
Agricultural Society (Hon. George B. Lorino).

Our Society, formed in the year 1840. this week holds, strictly speaking, its
thirtieth annual exhibition. Only in one year, in 1861, has the annual exhi-
bition been omitted ; then, as the record reads, " in consequence of the light-
ness of the crop of fruits of every species."

In a review of the past and a comparison of our humble beginning, and our

present prosperous position, we find good cause for congratulation upon the

success which has attended the efforts of our predecessors and ourselves. In

1840, with few or no members admitted free, the receipts at the close were only

2

6 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

$140 ; in 1869, with several hundred members admitted free, the receipts for
admission amounted to $500. At the exhibition at the hall of the Society in
Waldo Block, in 1848, all the duties were performed by two committees — one
on flowers and decorations, the other on all fruits and vegetables. In 1851, the
Grst year that the Society held its exhibition in Horticultural Hall, the Society
was so destitute of means, that no premiums were offered, the only reward to
contributors being an honorable mention by the committees. In 1852, the
premiums on apples and pears severally were $18. This year the former are
$133 and the latter $150. This year the premiums on grapes are $92. Plums,
peaches and quinces, $57. Plants and flowers, $240, and on vegetables, $171.
We cannot question that this increase in the pecuniary inducements offered
and the liberality of the Society in premiums will be met in a corresponding
spirit by its members. In many other respects great changes have taken place.
Formerly the number of contributors were few, and a large portion of the
specimens entered came from the grounds of a few individuals largely engaged
in the cultivation and sale ot pear trees ; but the great changes and growth of
our city has, in a remarkable manner, affected our fruit-orchards and gardens.
The trees whose fruit ten years ago so largely contributed to fill our tables,
have fallen beneath the improving axe or have been transplanted to more quiet
quarters. It is difficult to recognize the spot on which the one hundred and
twenty varieties of pears, contributed by John Milton Earle in ISfiO, were
raised, on his then lot between Main and High streets, which, together with
the lot of his neighbor George T. Rice, who yearly exhibited choice fruit, has
now been appropriated to the erection of a large cathedral and blocks of stores.
We find now Merrick street with numerous dwelling houses extending over the
grounds from which in t^e same year D. Waldo Lincoln contributed one hun-
dred and three varieties of pears. The former customer of the Colton nursery
would hardly realize that the ground on the corner of Main and Austin streets,
now occupied by high brick blocks of stores, and boot and shoe manufactories,
was the place where for so many years Samuel H. Colton raised and sold, not
the customers, but all varieties of fruit trees. These three gentlemen, Earle,
Lincoln and Colton, were for many years our largest contributors. But the
reduction in the number of varieties contributed by single individuals has been
more than compensated for by the increased number of competitors. As a
consequence, there is a greater discrimination as to varieties and great im-
provement in the quality of the fruit raised. All must be satisfied that it is
better to cultivate a small number of varieties of choice and approved fruit
than to experiment with a large number of uncertain kinds of fruit. And to
aid in their selection in pursuance of the general purposes of the society, the
Trustees have recommended lists of those which have proved best adapted to
our soil and climate, which lists are by them revised as occasion requires.

It is not one of the privileges of the President to inflict upon you a lengthy
address at this time, but it has been customary for him to state the condition of

1870.]

President's address.

the Society and briefly its operations during the past year, leaving the matter
of detail for the annual report of the Secretary and Librarian.

It is always pleasant to speak of our pecuniary condition, whenever we are
strong in our own resources, and with a reasonable certainty as to the future ;
this is your position to-day.

Our valuable real estate on Front street gives us an annual income of $3500,
after making the necessary reservation of Horticultural Hall and its ante-rooms
when required by ourselves. Our whole indebtedness does not exceed $1200,
which will undoubtedly be paid during the next year, without affecting our
ability to expend increased premiums and make any other desirable improve-
.ments.

The question of the sale by the Society of its real estate has been sometimes
agitated, with a view either to ereci another building upon some other location
or to make a different investment of the funds of the Society. But the opinion
of the committee appointed to consider this matter was that the best interests of
the Society would be promoted by retaining the present property, and it seems
to me very clear that no better investment could be made of the funds of the
Society ; that our own hall and rooms are abundantly sufficient for all ordinary
exhibitions and purposes, that tbe only occasion that we have for a larger hall
is for this one annual autumnal exhibition, for which we can amply provide
by hiring Mechanics Hall, a course I deem far preferable to that of investing
our money in the erecting of a new building, embarrassing our future opera-
tions, and depriving us of the large income that we can now appropriate to the
encouragement of the legitimate objects of the Society.

The weekly exhibitions were commenced as early as the year 1861. I know
of no feature of the Society more worthy of commendation. Their great use-
fulness is beyond question. Attended, as they are, by our experienced horti-
culturists, they afford to the young cultivator of fruits and flowers an oppor-
tunity for information more accessible and correct than can be gained from
books. They afford the only opportunity for the display of early fruits and
flowers, new varieties of fruits are discussed and tested, all specimens brought
in are correctly named, and the conversational discussions in which all are
invited to participate, tend to increase the interest of the members in the sub-
ject of horticulture. These exhibitions have been continued during the past
year, and the display of fruits and flowers, and the attendance of members and
strangers has proved their appreciation of their value. For the success of the
weekly exhibitions the Society is greatly indebted to the faithful services of the
Secretary, who has been constantly in attendance, keeping a full record of all
entries, and has weekly furnished a brief statement thereof for publication.

The value of the large and constantly increasing library of the Society, is not
generally knjwn or appreciated by the members. Most all the valuable
English and American books on Agriculture and Horticulture, with full sets of
journals and magazines on the same subject, are to be found on the shelves in

8 Worcester county aoRTtcuLTtiRAL society. [1870.

the ante-room of its ball, which is open every Thursday afternoon, for the de-
livery of books to members. The increasing number of persons availing them-
selves of the privilege of the library is evidence of a greater appreciation of its
value.

I have before contrasted the former and the present condition of the Society.
During the last thirty years it has diffused a large amount of valuable informa-
tion in this community in relation to the cultivation of fruit, enabling the
beginner to select the most approved varieties without the loss of time and
expense incident to ignorance or experimenting ; but ours is one of the cases
where the work is never completed. There is always room for improvements
and more laborers, and our successors may, thirty years hence, be enabled to
point as triumphantly to their progress as we have done to our own.

The funds of the society are now sufficient to enable us to add a large
amouut to our present liberal premium list, if by this pecuniary inducement it
is thought that we can advance the objects of the society.

The attractions of all the departments might be greatly increased, if a larger
number of the persons who have fine fruits and flowers would take the slight
trouble that is necessary to gather a few specimens and send them to the ex-
hibition ; there are hundreds of gardens gladdening the owners with the profu-
sion of such fruits, who do not seem to realize that to the influence of this
society on some former owner, if not on themselves, they may owe their present
feast of good things, and who certainly ignore the responsibility all are under
to aid in any good cause. Our friends throughout this County should remem-
ber that ours is not an association confined to this city and vicinity. It is the
County Society, — the parent of all, and that they all have here a right, a duty
and a welcome ; in their devotion to their own rural societies they should not
forget the attachment and service that is due to the parent.

As to the details of the present exhibition, if I should speak, it would be
overreaching on the province of the various committees to the hearing of whose
reports this evening in appropriated.

In conclusion, I will simply add, believing that as the soil produces best
under a rotation of crops, so the growth of the Society will be promoted by
rotation in the office of President, that at the end of the present terra I shall
retire from the office which through your kindness I have held for the past
four years.

Report on apples.

REPORTS.

REPORT ON APPLES.
Elijah B. Stoddard, Chairman : S. H.Coltox, 0. B. Hadwen, J. Frank

Allen, J. S. Ballard, S. A. Knox, J. K. L. Pickford, of Worcester, J. A.

Fayerweather, of Wcstborough, Cyrcts White of Millbury, and Isaac B.
Hartwell, of Oxford.

The Committee on Apples submit the following report :
For the best collection of not less than six specimens of each variety in

the Ist class, Stephen S. Foster $15 00

For the second best, Sylvanus Sears 12 00

For the third best, 0. B. Hadwen 9 00

For the best twenty varieties, of twelve specimens each, in the 2d class,
Adams Foster and E. M. Banning, 1st prize ; but to receive one-
half of the the 1st and 2d, each 11 00

For the third best, Cyrus White of Millbury 8 00

For the best twelve varieties, of twelve specimens each, in the .Sd class,

Alden H. Sears, 8 00

For the second best, Henry Marble, of Millbury 6 00

For the third best, Newell Wood 4 00

For the best six varieties, of twelve specimens each, in the 4th class,

Joseph Boyden 5 00

For the second best, D. S. Goddard 4 00

For the third best, Mrs. Geo. A. Chamberlain .S 00

For the best three varieties, in the 5th Class, D. B. Corains 3 00

For the second best, W. Y. Holman 2 00

For the best twelve Gravenstein, Joseph Lovell , 2 00

For the best twelve Holden Pippin, S. H. Colton 2 00

For the best twelve Porter, Geo. J. McCracken 2 00

For the best twelve Leicester Sweet, Sylvanus Sears 2 00

For the best twelve Hubbardston Nonesuch, James R. Pierce 2 00

For the best twelve Northern Spy, James Draper 2 00

For the best twelve Baldwin, Eri Saunders 2 00

10 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870

For the best twelve Mother, Sylvanus Sears, 2 00

Fot the best twelve Rhode Island Greening, Joseph Boyden 2 00

For the best twelve Maiden's Blush, Alfred Davis 2 00

For the best twelve of any other sort (Detroit), Mrs. Wm. Greenleaf. 2 00

GRATUITIES.

Class 1, Isaac Mills, gratuity, $3 00

Class 2, Joel Kuapp, gratuity, 3 00

Class 3, J. K. L. Pickford, gratuity, 3 00

Class 3, T. P. Curtis, gratuity 2 00

Class 4, H. Drury, gratuity 2 00

S. H. Colton, specimen of Hawley, gratuity 2 00

S. n. Colton, specimen of Leland's Spice, gratuity, 2 00

Eli Johnson, specimen of Mother, gratuity 1 00

Eri Saunders, gratuity 1 00

E. H. Slocomb, of Grafton, gratuity 1 00

We have been unanimous in the award of premiums and congratulate the
society upon the generous contribution, which has been made this year in this
kind of fruit. There were 55 contributors and 631 plates ; an excess over last
year's contributors of 12, and in the number of plates, of 347.

The unparalleled dry summer has proved more favorable to the apple crop
than could have been anticipated. The selected specimens were very fair in
form, beautiful in color and delicious in flavor. Larger apples have been here-
tofore exhibited, but probably no exhibition has been more satisfactory to visi-
tors than the present one. Perhaps the ample room and arrangement of the
tables have afforded visitors a better opportunity for examination and the com-
mittee have been pleased with the universal satisfaction, which has been ex-
pressed at this display of fruit.

The "wheel of time" has turned again in apple bearing, and cultivators have
reason to hope, that for some future years this fruit may be produced in equal
abundance. Neither the poor or rich will have reason to complain of scarcity
or price. The Apple trees seem to have had a "strike" but only to produce
more instead of less. Cultivators may complain of the market price of 15 to
50 cents per bushel, and it is pretty evident that "apple sauce" will receive
such a shaking, as will diminish materially the receipts of our Shaker friends
for this year.

We advise all producers to turn their attention to raising only trees which
shall bear the fairest and choicest varieties for the table. Such apples will
always find a ready sale and be more profitable than those which produce
"a little more cider too."

E. B. STODDARD, Chairman.

1870] REPORT ON GRAPES AND OTHER FRUITS. 11

REPORT ON GRAPES, PEACHES, &c.

Edwin Conant, Chairman; Geoiige Jaques, S. V. Stoxe, T. M. Lamb,
Horatio Phelps, ot Worcester, Paul Whitin, George Cruickshanks,
of Whitinsville, F. M. Marble, of Grafton, and Joseph C. Lovell, of West
Boylston.

The Committee on Grapes, Peaches, &c., respectfully report :

That we have Teceived no translation of the " &c.," but suppose it means
unlimited jurisdiction, unless where expressly limited and sometimes where
it is. Filled to air-balloon dimensions with the importance of our position, we
neither mean to yield anything that belongs to us nor fail to claim many things
that do not. Whether we make, or follow the example of politicians, we mean
to assert our claims, right or wrong, especially wrong ; to have our own way
in questions of conflicting jurisdiction, notably on subjects we have no busi-
ness with.

Our friend, Mr. George Thrall, of the Bay State Hotel, who is always very
entertaining at home, offered a curious vegetable product, for the declared
purpose of learning its name. We pronounce it a fungus, and wish that many
and larger fungi, sapping the vitality of the Republic, were transmuted into
like humble form and dimensions, and of as respectable a character.

Dr. S. G. Priest offered very curious specimens of nature's freaks or neces-
sities in the form of many fruits and other objects, stated to be of the roots
of low hemlock taken from crevices of rocky acclivities of Mount Wash-
ington.

Strawberry tomatoes, and their preserved fruit, were produced by Mrs. Ann
M. Newell, of Worcester, and preserved or canned pears, peaches, strawberries
and cherries, by Mrs. R. C. Dunlap, of Millbury.

Miss N. T. Durell, of Worcester, exhibited a case of very beautiful wax
fruit and flowers, with imitations of jelly and other articles.

Henry Munger, of Holden, produced pea-nuts, with the growing plant, and
this growth, interesting in itself, is doubly so from its association with the
names of some ruling legislators, and their chief employment.

Approaching the great family of Grapes, we doff our hats, in deference to its
undoubted primeval repute, its limitless variety, its excellence told and sung in
all ages. The fruit culturists in the first garden must have had it, for no
theologian presumes that Adam and Eve could have lived without it, though
another article might have been available in the line of mantua-raaking.

Those who assert that the earliest wine was unfermented, ought to fix their
date, for if we ascend no farther than Noah, the original package inspected by
him in excess, had a mischievous power ; and the gods of the later mythologies
of the Greeks and Rom-ans, sometimes tiring of their immortal nectar, used
espress.'id grape jui<^e with an effect so prejudicial to their moral conduct, as to

12 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

disqualify them for voting for, though they might be candidates on, a prohibi-
tory ticket.

It certainly is true that the ideal of Gonzalo's Commonwealth in Shakespeare's
"Tempest," has not yet been realized ; for he would execute all things by
contraries ; admit no kind of traffic, no name of magistrate, letters should not
be known ; riches, poverty, and use of service none ; contract, inheritance,
boundaries of land, cultivation, vineyards, none ; no use of metal, corn, or
wine, or oil; no occupation; all men idle — -all; and women too; no sover-
eignty, and yet he would be king on't.

The latter end of his Commonwealth forgot its beginning, as often happens
to the " schemes of mice and men.'"

■Grapes are sour to those who cannot get them. This Committee has not
been troubled much in that way. We think that by the fable of the fox and
grapes, it was intended to allegorise the feelings of disappointed aspirants to
offices for which they were not fit.

The grape most afi'ected by Captain Bragg, which, fairly administered, would
cure the case of disloyal demagogues, was of a different character, hard, if not
sour, apt pitifully to waste the claret of an armed enemy, and to cause jovial
triumph on the other side, when its sale and use was not limited to any canis-
ters of original importation.

Of grapes the Committee found twenty-six contributors of one hundred and
seventy five parcels of fruit ; and are happy to say that they found a manifest
improvement upon the exhibition of last year, especially in the increased num-
ber and merit of out-door varieties, and the comparative absence of worthless
and unimproved natives. They award :

For the best collection, grown under glass, fourteen varieties, Philip L.

Moen $12 00

For the second best, eleven varieties, Stephen Salisbury 10 00

For the best two clusters of Black Hamburg, Philip L. Moen 2 00

For the second best, F. M. Marble, of Grafton 1 00

For the best two clusters of any other black grape, Philip L. Moen

(Wilmot's Hamburg) 2 00

B'or the best two clusters of any White Muscat (Muscat of Alexandria)

Philip L. Moen 2 00

For the best two clusters of any other variety of white (White Syrian)

Philip L. Moen 2 00

For the second best (White Frontignan) F. M. Marble, of Grafton 1 00

For the best collection of out-door grapes, not less than six varieties,

thirty varieties, Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston 8 00

For the second best, fourteen varieties, Frank J. Kinney 5 00

For the third best, D. S. Goddard 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Delaware, Fra.nk J. I^inney 3 00

1870.] REPORT ON GRAPES AND OTHER FRUITS. 13

For the best specimens of four bunches of Isabella, Frank J. Kinney, $3 00
For the best specimens of four bunches of Concord, Horatio Phelps, 3 00
For the best specimens of four bunches of Diana, Horatio Phelps, 3 00
For the best specimens of four bunches of lona, Horatio Phelps, 3 00
For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers, No. 3, (Massasoit)

Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers, No. 4, (Wilder)

John C. Whitin, of Whitinsville 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers No. 9, (Lindley)

Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers No. 15 (Agawam)

Frank J. Kinney 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers No. 19 (Merrimac)

Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston 3 00

For the best specimens of four bunches of Rogers No. 43 (Barry)

Joseph C. Lovell, of West Boylston 3 00

Mr. Phillip L. Moen, of Worcester, exhibited some half dozen of beautiful
and vigorous grape vines, growing in pots, and in truit, thus furnishing a new
and delightful feature of our exhibition.

Other contributors of Grapes, in differing numbers of varieties, are, Geo. H.
Estabrook, Edward Earle, S. H. Colton, F. H. Dewey, James S. Robinson,
Joseph E. Phelps, E. L. Brigham, D. C. Tourtellotte, Wm. Y. Holman, Wm.
P. Kinney, Perry Thayer, Mrs. 0. K. Earle, George Montgomery, Charles
Nash, John B. Pratt, S. P. Hicks, John P. Kettell, all of Worcester, Devens
Newton, of Millbury, and James Houghton, of Oakdale.

For the perfect specimen of Israella grape, offered by James Houghton, of
Oakdale, the Committee would gladly have offered a premium, had any been
offered by the society.

A beautiful new variety of White Grape, called Fedora, reputed haidy and
valuabl ', from J. P. Langworthy, was exhibited by our friend Mr. James
Cruickshanks, of Chelsea.

PLUMS.

Very few Plums were offered. We award.

For the best single plate Green Gage, Anthony Chase Si 00

For the second best, nameless plum, S. S. Foster 1 00

PEACHES.

We found nine plates of Peaches, and award
For the best one variety of 12 specimens (Golden Yancey), William

Matheson, of Whitinsville $3 00

For the second best (Early Crawford), S. S. Foster 2 00

For the third best (Early Crawford), Christopher Gunderson 1 00

3

14 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

A new seedling, called the Hunter Peach, of superior merit, was exhibited
by Mr. James Cruickshanks, of Chelsea.

The other exhibitors were John 6. Hey wood, Mrs. 0. K. Earle, Mrs. Simeon
Clapp, and Mrs. James S. Robinson, all of Worcester.

0. B. Had wen, exhibited nectarines.

QUINCES.

Three plates of Quinces were offered. We award :
For the best twelve Orange Quinces, Newell Wood, of Millbury $3 00

And recommend payment of a gratuity of one dollar to William Howe, of
Millbury, and the same amount to Adams Foster, for their single plates of the
Orange variety.

Mr. F. I. Kinney exhibited a-seedling red raspberry in fruit, and a seedling
strawberry.

Respectfully submitted,

EDWIN CONANT, Chairman.

REPORT ON PLANTS, FLOWERS, &c.

George E. Francis, Chairman; Johx Mii/roN Earle, Clarendon Har-
ris, Charles Richardson, D. S. Messinger, Henry Woodward, C. Willard
Hamilton, and Henry A. Marsh, Worcester.

The Committee congratulate the Society that the contributors ot Plants and
Flowers, having triumphed in the contest with the drought, have filled every
available stand and table and nook and corner of this great hall. If there is a
little falling off in the quality of the cut flowers, the loss is more than made
up by the increased number, variety, size and beauty of the Plants, and by a
large and very fine contribution of flowers, plants and bouquets from the 01m
Brothers, of Springfield. Oar Society will always welcome such choice pro-
ductions.

In awarding the premiums for collections of exotic plants, the committee
found the same difficulty that has been in the way of their predecessors, namely,
that the different sets of plants had very unequal advantages of position ; the
most desirable space in the body of the hall having been given to the largest
contribution, while other plants, well worth the seeing had to be crowded into
the background.

In the belief that one chief object of this Society is to offer the fairest possi.
ble field for competition, the committee recommend that in future the rule
which governs in all other departments, be applied also to plants : that all en-
tries in the same class, which comply with the regulations of the Society, shall
be placed, as far as possible, side by side, with equal advantages of position, so
that the public can examine and compare, as well us the judges.

1870.] REPORT ON PLANTS, FLOWERS, ETC. 15

The committee respectfully recommend the following Premiums and Gratui-
ties :
For the best twelve specimens of ^iariegated-leaved Plants, W. T. Mer-

rifield $20 00

For the second best, S. Salisbury 10 00

For the third best, P. L. Moen 5 00

For the best twenty specimens of Greenhouse Plants, W. T. Merrifield 15 00

For the second best, S. Salisbury 10 00

For the third best, P. L. Moen 6 00

For the best specimen plant, not having previously received a premium,

J. C. Whitin, of Whitlnsville 5 00

For the second best, S. Salisbury 3 00

For the best floral design, L. H. Bigelow 6 00

For the second best. Mrs. C. L. Hartshorn 4 00

For the best collection ornamental and bedding plants, Mrs. D. Tainter 5 00

For the second best (not awarded),

For the best collection rare and new plants, S. Salisbury 8 00

For the second best (not awarded),

For the best collection Zonale Geraniums (not awarded),

For the second best, S. Salisbury 3 00

For the best collection of parlor plants, by amateurs, Mrs. Wm. Y.

Holman '. 5 Ou

For the second best, Miss Susan E. Chamberlain 3 00

For the third best, G. E. Francis 2 00

For the best single plant, E. B. Hamilton 1 00

For the best collection cut flowers, Mrs. D. Tainter 6 00

For the second best, Miss Annie Fox 4 00

For the third best, S. Salisbury 2 00

B^or the best stand (not awarded), ,

For the second best, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the third best (not awarded)

For the best arranged basket or dish, L. H. Bigelow 3 00

For the second best, Mrs. D. Tainter 2 00

For the best hanging basket, grown by amateurs, G. E. Francis 3 00

For the second best (not awarded)

For the best hanging basket, plants to have been growing therein at

least one month, S.Salisbury 3 00

For the second best, W. T. Merrifield 2 00

For the best pair parlor bouquets, S. Salisbury 4 00

For the second best, Mrs. A. D. Foster 2 00

For the third best, Miss L. G. Allen 100

For the best pair hand bouquets, L. H. Bigelow 3 00

For the second best, Miss Maria Fox 1 00

1(] WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [18?0.

For the best collection Gladiolus, named or unnamed varieties, from

any source, J. M. Earle $5 00

For the best twelve named varieties, 1st class, J. M. Earle 5 00

For the best specimen spike, J. M. Earle 1 00

For the best display of Asters, Mrs. George H. Estabrook 4 00

For the second best, P. L. Moea 2 00

For the third best, S. Salisbury 1 00

For the best display of Verbenas, Mrs. C. W. Hamilton 3 00

For the second best, Mrs. D. Tainter 2 00

For the best display of Pansies, J. C. Whitin, of Whitinsville 3 00

For the second best, L. H. Bigelow 2 00

For the second best collection double Zinnias, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best collection Immortelles, P. L. Moen 3 00

For the second best, L. H. Bigelow 2 00

For the best display of Ferns and Lycopods, E. B. Hamilton 3 00

For the second best, W. T. Merrifield 2 00

GRATUITIES.

01m Brothers, of Springfield, for their general display spl5 00

S. Salisbury, for his specimens of Zinnias 1 00

Mrs. S. D. Ward, of Shrewsbury, for floral design 2 00

J. C. Whitin, of Whitinsville, for his collection of variegated plants, 2 00

P. L. Moen, for his pyramids of Lycopods, etc 1 00

Mrs. C. W. Hamilton, for her variegated Hollies 1 00

Mrs. D. Tainter, for her dish of flowers 1 00

Mrs. D. Tainter, for her plants for Wardian cases and hanging baskets, 1 00

Mrs. E. Jennison, of Auburn, for her specimens of Asters 1 00

S. Salisbury, for his collection of Ferns 1 00

G. E. FRANCIS, Chairman.

REPORT ON PEARS.

.Iames Greek, Jr., Chairman: J. Henmiy Him-, Hkxiiy Phelps, Edward
Earle, .John C Newton, S. S. Foster, James D;iaper, Francis B. Rice,
S. Harrison Knox, of Wjrces^er; Newell Wood, of Millbunj ; and John
F. Johnson, oi Northborough.

The Committee on Pears submit the following report :

The exhibition of Pears this year is excellent ; and if a fair allowance is
made for the great dryness of the whole season, which has checked the growth
of fruit and ripened it too early, the Committee would report the exhibition
unusually fine. Judging absolutely, however, and making no allowances, they

1870.] REPORT ON I'EAR^. l7

have to say that the size of the Pears is perhaps not quite equal to that in
exceptionally more favored years. The entries are numerous as usual, and in
many cases the premiums were not awarded without some doubt, after weigh-
ing and comparing in the most pains-taking way. But each award was
finally agreed to, by a large majority of the committee, and the report as a
whole is unanimously submitted.

The following preminms are awarded :
For the best twenty varieties of twelve specimens each, 1st class, V.

P. Townsend $1(5 00

For the second best, Alexander H. Bullock I'i 00

For the third best, Joseph Lovell 10 00

For the best fifteen varieties of twelve specimens each, 2d class, Ste-
phen S. Foster 12 00

For the second best, F. M. Marble, of Grafton 9 00

For the third best, James Draper 0 00

For the the best ten varieties of twelve specimens each, 3d class, Alfred

Davis 8 00

For the second best, James F. Allen 0 00

For the third best, Stephen Salisbury 4 00

For the best five varieties ot twelve specimens each, 4th class, Mrs. Geo.

A. Chamberlin 6 00

For the second best, William Howe of Millbury 3 00

For the best three varieties of twelve specimens each, 5th class, Mrs. F.

H. Kinnicutt 3 00

For the second best, Henry Chapin 2 00

For the best twenty-four Seckel Pears, on one dish. Clarendon Harris... 2 00

For the best twelve Bartlett, John C. Whitin, of Whitinsville 2 00

For the best twelve Duchesse d'Angouleme, Willard Ward 3 00

For the best twelve Louise Bonne de Jersey, Henry Woodward 2 00

For the best twelve Lawrence, Samuel H. Colton 3 00

For the best twelve Sheldon, Theodore H. Bartlett 2 00

For the best twelve Beurre Bosc, Edward W. Lincoln 3 00

For the best twelve Flemis i Beauty, William E. Desper 2 00

For the best twelve Beurre d'Anjou, John C. Whitin, of Whitinsville.... 2 00

For the best twelve Winter Nelis, James Draper 3 00

For the best twelve Beurre Hardy, Julius E. Tucker 2 00

For the best twelve Beurre Clairgeau, F. M. Marble of Grafton 2 00

For the best twelve Howell, James Draper 2 00

For the best twelve Urbaniste, Joseph Boyden 2 00

For the best twelve Doyenne Boussock, John G. Whitin, of Whitinsville 2 00

For the best twelve Beurre Superfin, Samuel H. Colton 2 00

For the best twelve Paradise d'Automne, J. Henry Hill 2 00

For the best twelve Durandeau, F. M. Marble, of Grafton 2 00

is WORdE^TER COtj^ITY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [l870.

For the best twelve Beurre Langelier, Geo. Jaques §2 00

For the best twelve Belle Lucrative, Edward W. Lincoln 2 00

For the best twelve of any other variety (Dix) George E. Francis 1 00

GRATUITIES.

D. Waldo Lincoln, for his specimens entered in the 1st class $5 00

Samuel H. Colton, for his forty specimens entered in the 1st class 5 00

Mrs. David Fitts, of Oxford, for nine monstrous Duchesse pears, (too

few to compete for any premium) 1 00

D. Waldo Lincoln, for his Washington pear, — there being no premium offered
and no money left in the committee's control, the committee paid him the high-
est compliment in their power, by eating his specimens.

For the Committee,

JAMES GREEN, Jr., Chairman.

REPORT ON VEGETABLES.

Hexky L. Parker, Chairman : George A. Adams, Thomas R. Norcross,
J. D. LovEi.L, C. K. Hubbard, Rufus Garter, Daniel Bemis, and George
G. BuRBAXK, of Worcester.

In this department the entries, though less in number than at the last annual
exhibition, are greatly above the average of preceding years ; and, taking into
consideration the extreme dryness of the season, the display is highly credit-
able.

The display of tomatoes, by Sylvauus Sears and P. L. Moen, are especially
worthy of notice.

The committee make the following awards and premiums :

For the best dis[)lay, Sylvanus Sears $15 00

For the second best, Stephen Salisbury 12 00

For the third best, P. L. Moen 8 00

For the best three Canada Crook-Neck squashes, Charles Nash 2 00

For the best three Marrow squashes, Alden H. Sears 2 00

For the best three large Crook-Neck squashes, Simon E. Fisher 2 00

For the best three Hubbard squashes, Horace Thayer 2 00

For the best three Mammoth, do., Franklin Baldwin 2 00

For the best three Turban, do., Simon E. Fisher 2 00

For the best six roots of Celery, John C. Whitin, of Whitinsville 3 00

For the best three Drumhead Savoy cabbages, Joel Hapgood, of Shrews-
bury ?> 00

For the best single specimen, John C. Whitin, of Whitinsville 2 00

For the best three Drumhead cabbages, A. H. Drury 3 00

1870.] REPORT ON VEGETABLES. 19

For the best three Early Sweiuturth cabbages, F. J. Kinney $3 00

For the best single specimen, F. J. Kinney 2 00

For the best three large flat Brunswick cabbages, Simon E. Fisher 3 00

For the best three Red cabbages, A. H. Drury 2 00

For the best three Cauliflowers, F. J. Kinney 3 00

For the best single specimen, John G. Heywood 1 00

For the best collection of not less than five varieties of Sweet Corn, Syl-

vanus Sears 5 00

For the best twelve ears Sweet Corn, Joab Hapgood 2 00

For the best twelve Guernsey or long Parsneps, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best twelve early short or half long scarlet Carrots, P. L..Moen, 2 00

For the best twelve long Orange Carrots, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best twelve Long Blood Beets, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best twelve Turnip Beets, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best twelve Ruta Baga or Swedish Turnips, Simon E. Fisher... 2 00

For the best twelve Early Bassano, A. H. Drury 2 00

For the best twelve Flat or English Turnips, Simon E. Fisher 2 00

For the best twelve White Silver Skin Onions, William Y. Holman 2 00

For the best twelve Mangold Wurtzel, John C. Whitin 2 00

For the best collection of Potatoes, of not less than a half peck of each

variety, F. J. Kinney lO 00

For the second best, James Draper 7 00

For the best collection of Tomatoes, of not less than six varieties, and

not less than twelve of each variety, Sylvanus Sears 5 00

For the best dish of twelve of Gen. Grant variety, P. L. Moen 2 00

For the best dish of twelve specimens other than the above, P. L. Moen,

(Wilcott) 2 00

For two best specimens of Watermelons, A. H. Drury 2 00

For the second best, F. J. Kinney i 00

Of the other premiums offered for competition the Committee make no

award.

GRATUITIES.

Newell Wedge, for melons $2 00

Herbert R. Kinney 1 ^0

Louis F. Kinney 1 00

H. L. PARKER, Chairman.

ANNUAL REPORT

EDWARD W. LINCOLN,
Secretary and Librarian of Worcester County Horticultural Society.

To the Meinhtrs of the IVorcester Cuiuiti/ Horticultural Society :

In submitting his final report, at the close of his tenth (lOth) consecutive
year of official service, your Secretary may be pardoned for indulging in a
brief retrospect and comparison. At the commencement of the past decade, the
entire number of names, borne upon detached and imperfect memoranda, was
six hundred and eighty-two (082). Of this aggregate, two hundred and four-
teen (214) were, long since, gathered to their fathers. During his individual
tenure of office, your Secretary has issued certificates of membership to four
hundred and fifteen (4:15) applicants, of whom seven (7) are known to have
deceased subsequently. The total number of names now registered upon the
revised and manuscript roll, including alike the living and dead, amounts to one
thousand and ninety-seven (1,097). So that, after making the proper deduction
for cases of mortality, it would appear that there are eight hundred and seventy-
two (872) accredited and living members of the Society. This aggregate is,
however, doubtless excessive, since the only means of ascertaining the death
of a member has been, as it is still, from the obituary columns of the public
press, or from common notoriety.

The magnitude of the Annual Autumnal Exhibition, and the contribution
thereto of articles by the members, have advanced in equal progression. In
18G2, (there having been no exhibition in 1861,) the whole number of articles
upon the tables was twenty-one hundred and seventy-two (2172). In 18G9 and
1870, the aggregate was, as follows:

I860.

1870.

Contri-
butors

Articles.

284
410

1054
902

1734

4384

Contri-
butors.

Articles.

Apples

43
38
41
26
25

173

55

46
77
32
33

242

632
392

1346

Plants, Flowers, ic

1235
836

4441

1870.] secretary's report. 21

The number of volumes constituting the Library of the Society, at the date of
its removal to Horticultural hall, in February, A. D. 1862, was four hundred
and forty-one (441). The number upon our extended shelves, on the 3Ist of
October ult., was one thousand and sixty two (1,062). This was exclusive of
pamphlets and unbound serials in both cases ; and, in the latter, of volumes
circulating among the members. And it is believed that the relative value of
the collection has suffered no deterioration, with its increased size.

Such then was — such now is our condition. What it shall be. at the expira-
tion of the next ten (10) years, must depend largely upon the wisdom and
energy of our successors. Much can be accomplished by unselfish devotion;
and of that, the Society has never yet felt any lack. More still may be
achieved by a liberal appropriation of the means accumulated during past
years of corporate thrift and private munificence. And all that has been gained
hitherto, may be worse than lost, under the influence of a mean and penurious
policy.

For several years past, upon more occasions than he recalls with pleasure
has your Secretary animadverted upon the inadequacy of the Hall of the Society
for the purposes of its erection ; upon the unsuitableness of its location, owing
to the tendency of heavy wholesale traffic to engross and incumber Front Street
and to its inevitable, prospective ineligibility as an investment, from its want of
conformity to modern requirements and taste. And, in justice to himself, he
takes this opportunity to state, (what some seem determined to misapprehend,)
that the general drift of his objections was rather to the Hall, in its
restricted and technical sense, than to the entire edifice A'hich bears
that appellation. He is not about to consume your time, or weary your
patience, by a repetition of arguments which are as convincing to himself as
they are unpalatable to you. Having accomplished so much by persistent
agitation, — the creation of a Committee with power and the will to sit ! — he
reposes on his laurels and assigns to others any individual concern in the
incubation. It is due to frankness, however, to confess that the opinions of
the Secretary have been confirmed by reflection and the lapse of time. Other-
wise, he must impugn the discretion of those who built the existing edifice, the
want of which, at the time of its construction, was no more urgent than is our
present necessity. Or else he must concede the soundness of a policy which
has no other uor higher aspiration than that of becoming tenant upon suffer-
ance or at will of the Mechanics Association, without a lease in perpetuity, and
with no plausible assurance that one can be had upon any terms whatever.
Unless an arrangement can be effected, (assuming it to be the purpose of this
society to occupy Mechanics Hall, in the future, for its Annual Autumnal Exhi-
bition,) whereby a satisfactory lease for a term of years can be obtained, their
responsibility is not to be envied who, proposing nothing of their own motion,
are content to place obstacles in the path of those who march in harmony with
the age in which they live.
4

22 ^VORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, [1870.

The Annual Autumnal Exhibition is of such recent date ; its magnitude must
be so vividly impressed upon your minds ; that there can be but slight need for
enlarging upon the subject here. The superb hall happily set forth as, in its
turn, it was exquisitely relieved by the luxuriant profusion and brilliant color-
ing of flower and fruit. There was, even there, however, no superfluity of
space. The utmost that can be said is, that an exhibition, unusually extensive,
was so arranged as to aff'ord ample verge for the easy circulation of visitors.
Had the various lots of apples and pears been properly disposed, and less
crowded or even jumbled together as they unfortunately were, the need of
additional tables would have required a relinquishment of yet more of the
unoccupied floor. In this connection, and as pertinent to a proper display of
the articles contributed, the Secretary feels it his imperative duty to again invite
your attention to a most pressing want which is sure to obtrude itself unpleas-
antly upon such occasions. Our table-furniture is utterly insufficient for the
uses of the Society. Under the vigilant custody of their chairman, the Com-
mittee of Arrangements have found an effectual cure for that mysterious
"shrinkage" which was wont to curtail so materially the cloth provided for
covering the naked boards. But the woful deficiency in our supply of plates
can be remedied by no amount of watchful supervision. It is absolutely indis-
pensable, if our Exhibitions are to maintain the proportions that they have
lately assumed, that this deficiency should be supplied at an early day. A
pattern of the style adopted by the Massachusetts Society, has been kindly
furnished and now lies upon the table of the Secretary. Assurances have been
given that a suitable quantity of such ware, equally substantial and of similar
convenient shape, can be procured, if deemed advisable, at a very reasonable
cost.

By the third rule of the Committee of Arrangements, adopted in the very
infancy of the Society, it is strictly required that all specimens ofiered for
premiums shall have been grown, by the competitors, within the County of
Worcester.

There is no similar restriction upon membership, and the Secretary has never
hesitated, upon application, to place upon the roll the name of a postulant
from another County. It is suggested whether it may not better comport with
the cosmopolitan tendencies of the times and the present standing of the Society
to relax or rescind the restriction of the third article. Our exhibition offers
the only practicable field for display and competition, by reason of proximity to
cultivators in the Western Counties. Our own Society is the only one exclu-
sively devoted to Horticulture, west of Suflbik. We could well spare an oc-
casional premium for the sake of superior variety and a wider interest.

The fifth (5th) rule of the same Committee has caused so much dissension
and given rise to so many different interpretations, that an authoritative and
final decision, in the premises, is demanded in the interest. of the Society.

5. No person shall be entitled to receive more than one premium for the same

1870.] SEdRETARY*S KEPOR*. 2S

specimen of fruit or vegetable. If any specimen has obtained a premium in a collec-
tion, it shall not be credited to the same person in a smaller collection, nor as a single
specimen ,• nor shall any premium be awarded to a single variety, unless the specimens
are equal to those of the same variety which may be included in any of the collections.

A substitution of the word "variety" for "specimen," wherever it occurs in
the first clause, and in the first sentence of the second, will enable you to com
prebend the construction of the rule most widely upheld and which was
practically enforced at the recent Exhibition.

The Library is in its customary good condition. As will be observed from
the usual tabular statement, the volumes have continued to circulate widely,
and have been employed (in a way not so susceptible of demonstration) more
frequently than in past years, for purposes of reference. It is not probable
that many occasions will arise requiring large expenditure. The terrible ca-
lamities that have befallen the fair land of France may even prevent the further
publication of those elegant serial works which constitute so much of the value
of our collection. At the same time, the Society is happily able, and should
be disposed readily, to place upon its shelves any new volumes, or later and
better editions of the old ones, of which the possession may be desirable but
whose cost may be too onerous for private resources.

The usual comparative table is appended, to indicate the annual circulation :

Vols.

In 1862 114

In 1863 133

In 1864 179

In 1865 318

In 1866 387

In 1867 470

In 1868 , 580

In 1869 510

In 1870 544

The whole number of separate volumes acquired during the past official j-ear,
whether by purchase or donation, amounts to forty. A list of them with their
titles is herewith presented :

Transactions of the Illinois Horticultural Society, 1868 ; 1 vol. octavo.
From W. C. Flagg.

Transactions of the Worcester Agricultural Society, 1868 ; pamphlet. From
C. M. Miles.

Transactions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 1869 ; pamphlet.
From E. W. Buswell.

Transactions of the American Pomological Society, 12th Session; pamphlet.
From Hon. Marshall P. Wilder.

24 U'ORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

Diclionnaire de Poraologie, Les Poires, par M. Andre Leroy ; 2 vols, oc-
tavo ; Paris ; society.

Parks, Promenades, and Gardens of Paris ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Say's Entomology ; new edition ; by Le Conte ; 2 vols, octavo, society.

American Agricultural Annual, 1870; 1 vol. tv?elvemo, society.

American Horticultural Society, 1870 ; 2 vol. twelvemo, society.

Treatise on the Culture of Fruit Trees ; By Wm. Forsyth ; Notes by Wm.
Cobbett, From S. H. Colton.

American Fruit Book; By S. H. Cole ; 18-19; 1 vjl. twelvemo. From S.
H. Colton.

The Management of Fruit Trees ; By Geo. .Jaques, 1849 ; 1 vol. twelvemo.
From S. H. Colton.

Book of Fruits ; By Robert Manning, 1838 ; 1 vol. twelvemo. From S. H.
Colton.

New England Farmer, 1869 ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Tilton's Journal of Horticulture, Vol. 5, 18G9 ; society.

Tilton's Joui-nal of Horticulture, Vol. 6, 1870; society.

Guide to the Study of Insects ; By A. S. Packard, Jr. ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Horticulturist, vol. 25, 1869 ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Gardener's Monthly, Vol. 11, 18C9 ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Country Gentleman, Vol. 33, 1869; 1 vol. quarto, society.

Country Gentleman, Vol. 34. 1869 ; 1 vol. quarto, society.

American Agriculturist, Vol. 28, 1869 ; 1 vol. quarto, society.

Journal of Horticulture, Vol. 16, 1869 ; London , 1 vol. quarto, society.

Journal of Horticulture, Vol. 17, 1869 ; London ; 1 vol. quarto, society.

Florist and Pomologist, 1869; London; 1 vol. octavo, society.

New and Rare Foliaged Plants ; London ; 1 vol. octavo, society:

Agricultural and Horticultural Implements, 1870 ; pamphlet. From R. H.
Allen.

The Strawberry ; Its Culture ; By J. M. Merrick ; 1 vol. twelvemo, society.

The American Naturalist, Vol. 3, 1869-70; society.

Seventy-Five Flowers; By E. S. Rand, Jr. ; 1 vol. twelvemo, society.

The Abridgement of the Gardener's Dictionary ; By Philip Miller, F. R. S.,
Sixth Edition ; London; 1771. From Louis Lewisson.

Department of Agriculture, Report of, 1868 ; 1 vol. octavo ; Commissioner of
Agriculture.

Revue Horticole, 1869; Paris ; 1 vol. octavo, society.

Atlas of Flowers ; Vilmorin ; Paris ; 1 vol. twelvemo, society.

List of Agricultural, Horticultural, and Pomological Societies ; pamphlet ;
Commissioner of Agriculture.

California : Report of the Surveyor General, 1867, 1868 and 1869; pamphlet.

Central Park, New York ; Thirteenth Annual Report of Commissioners.
From Hon. Andrew H. Greene.

1870.] secretary's report. 25

The Cottage Gardener's Dictionary; Third Edition ; London, 18G1 ; 1vol.
octavo, society.

In the report of the Committee, upon whose recommendation the Library of
the Society was finally located in Horticultural Hall, occurs the following pas-
sage :

" The value of this Hall as a place of public assemblage, and patronage depends, in
some measure, upon the manner in which and the purposes for which it is used. The
valuable Library of the Society, deposited here, if bringing with it weekly or even
casual meetings of the members, could not fail to influence, in some degree, the general
estimation of this property by the public."

Had the Committee been endowed with the gift of prophecy, they could not
have predicted the effect of the measure then advised upon the prosperity of the
Society, with keener perspicacity. From the 27th day of February, A. D. 18G2,
when the removal of the Library was consummated, such weekly meetings of
the members have been continued, down to the present hour, without the inter-
mission of a single day in that entire period of almost nine years. There
have been seasons of prosperity or discouragement, as there have been also
alternations in which profusion contrasted with paucity of display. But,
throughout every vicissitude, thanks to a zealous co-operation which was never
appealed to in vain, a triumphant issue of the experiment was at no time
doubtful. There are probably few, if any, members of the Society who have
formed an exact, scarcely even an imperfect estimate of the aggregate attained
by these apparently insignificant weekly contributions. And yet, within the
nine (9) years, the sum of the articles exhibited upon our tables, exclusive of
the display at the annual autumnal exhibition, has amounted to fourteen
thousand two hundred and two (14,202). In addition, a convenient and ap-
propriate place of resort has been afforded, in which new acquaintances have
been formed and enlarged, and useful information gathered from diverse
sources to be again widely disseminated. Here the committee on nomenclature
have found and improved an extensive field of labor. No pains nor expense
should be grudged which may promise to develop yet further the beneficent uses
inevitable upon even the slightest increase of the time within which our halls
are open to the public. In a future, not remote it is to be hoped, the Library
may be kept open throughout the week, thereby copying the wise and profitable
example of the Massachusetts Society.

The customary com; arative statement of entries at the exhibitions, other
than the annual autumnal, is herewith furnished for your more precise infor-
mation :

26

WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

[1870.

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

«<«

=§

•c «

..

•i,

-„-^-g

a

Anno Doi'iini.

Si

berries
eberrie
ints, C
es, Pea

0^

I

S-8 fc§-

tS O 3 t-

E

%

is
o

&

m

98

160

512

632

Eh

1862

29

1431

1863

44

S3

366

374

616

1483

1864

36

79

140

184

1008

1447

1865

48
23
43
37
95
90

104
151
112
132
207
152

41

38

51

HI

78
123

161
292
264
120
190
246

1643

811

1716

807

1027

928

1997

1866

1315

1867

2186

1868

1207

1869

1697

1870

1539

In the figures for 1870, may be found slight but significant indications of the
remarkable character of the past year. It is true that their number is but
small, who remember seasons characterized by heat as fervid and continuous.
But after listening to the self-complacent reminiscences of an experience that
draws for its facts indiscriminately upon a first or second childhood, we, Grad-
grinds that we are^ accept the indisputable present and grow skeptical over the
past. And, at any rate, this at least we do know for a verity ; that if, some
twenty (20) or forty (40) years ago, the land was cursed with a similar drought,
there was not at that time one-quarter or one-half the need of water. In 1870,
the small fruits, distinctively so called, were literally burned up. The kindness
of Mr. Charles Nash has enabled your Secretary to prepare a tabular statement,
the details of which, although gathered for another purpose, amply and clearly
illustrate the blighting effects of a lack of rain. This statement comprises a
list of persons who grew strawberries for the market in 1869 and 1870, with
the ascertained yield per rod, and is as follows :

1870.]

SECRETARY S REPORT.

27

STATEMENT No. II.

Cultivators.

F. J. Kinney

Moore

0. B. Hadwen

Ward

Perry Thayer

Jonathan Lyon

William Y. Holman.

Alden Sears

D. W. Knowlton

Isaac Mills

GriflSn

Stowell

John B.Pratt

James Draper

George Adams

Charles Nash

A. D. 1869.

Rods. Quarts.

80
160

10

50

25
120

40

12

15

22

30

15
120
120

50
5i

1,700

3,100

300

1200
300

1500
300
350
150
300
275
250

1600

3000
600
220

A. D. 1870.

Rods. Quarts

80

40

»120

nonef

tl6

none

h
240

d

1,300

860

2,500

say 175

350
50

1,000

c 2,880

* Shaded by grape vines in 1870.

f Ploughed up.

J New bed : i less for drought.

^ New bed ; i to J less for drought.

ij Old bed; grass, weeds and grape vines.

n Old bed ; clover and sorrel.

h Bed old and new ; A less for drought,

c See Note.

d Old bed, but clean ; less than h of

crop

of last year, although not entirely q^jj,
to the drought.

Note. — Mr. James Draper has furnished the subjoined interesting statement :
" Quantity of land under cultivation, li acres. Yield, about 90 bushels. Land
cultivated in 1869, three-quarters of an acre. Yield from the same, 94 bushels. Yield
of 1870 as compared with 1869, less than one-half. Mode of cultivation — hills and
beds. Hill cultivation most satisfactory and iifty per cent, more profitable. Varieties
cultivated : Wilson, Nicanor, C. Downing, Lady of the Lake, and Jucunda. The most
productive varieties, the Nicanor and Wilson : the largest size fruit, C. Downing and
Jucunda.

" The effect of the drought is most severely felt in the growth of vines for another
year, which are only about one-third grown. Consequently the crop of 1871 does not
at this time look very promising."

And this table, be it noted, includes only the Strawberry crop, which was
mostly gathered before the full intensity of the drought was experienced.

28

WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

[1870.

From that drought there was, for Raspberries, no escape. In the very height
of the season, when neither rain nor dew descended upon shrivelling berry and
parching leaf, there fell upon the growers of this fruit a ukase, from the City
Hall, more withering in its effects than the fabled simoom of the Sahara. Cul-
tivators, whose water supply was cut off, had, however, the consolation of per-
ceiving that this municipal discrimination against themselves enured to the
benefit of the jockey and ostler, — " lewd fellows of the baser sort,'' intent
solely upon bespattering other felloes, less wooden and dirty than themselves.

It was with feelings akin to those of the cartman, whose vocabulary was too
inadequate for suitable expression, as he surveyed his load bestrewn upon the
long and difficult acclivity so painfully surmounted, that your Secretary watched
some seedling plants of his own successively dry up and perish. In his annual
report for 18(J9, he gave a detailed statement of the yield of the different varie-
ties cultivated by himself. As that statement, republished and circulated in
the Transactions of the Society, has attracted some attention, it is repeated here
in order that it may be contrasted with the widely differing results of the cur-
rent year :

Amount of Land.

Variety.

Quarts 1869.

Quarts 1870.

2bU ft.

Kncvett,

'

12

405 "

Philadelphia,

.SO

Eradicated.

.399 "

Franconia,

34

10

I573ift-

Brinckle,

174A

82

216 "

Northumberlanil.

New plantation.

8

The new plantation of Northumberland Fillbasket and the greater development
of the stools of Knevett's Giant, scarcely compensate for the elimination from
the table of the Philadelphia. The Franconia, which comes latest into bearing,
was hardly worth picking, and certainly did not repay the labor and manure
expended upon its cultivation. And yet it is unquestionably one of the very
best varieties that can be grown, upon a very heavy soil, in a season at all
propitious. Brinckle's Orange, although affording a diminished product,
nevertheless maintained in every respect its usual relative pre-eminence. Our
distinguished associate, Charles Downing, in a note to your Secretary, unduly
eulogistic of these reports, states that hi.s "experience with Brinckle's Orange
raspberry is the same as yours (the Secretary's). It is the most productive and
highest flavored of any, but too soft for market purposes." And in the past
unpropitious season, despite the drought, this variety continued in bearing
from July 9th to August 1 1th, a term of five fruitful weeks.

1870.] secretary's report. 29

Your Secretary Las had no personal experience, recently, with the Black-
berry. A tew stools, planted many years ago, of the New Rochelle, have
furnished abundant employment ever since in the attempt at their thorough
extirpation. But, if the present season is a sample of those which are to fol-
low, it is more than probable that the owners of large plats, now bristling with
a chevaux de frise of blackberry spines, will wish themselves in the position of
Othello, with their "occupation gone.'"

The culture of the Grape, during the past year, has been rewarded with un-
exampled success. It has appeared to matter little in what position were the
vines, nor under what conditions of soil or treatment. Delaware and Concord,
the exquisite lona and the fine numbers of Rogers, each and all vindicated their
character, and demonstrated the adaptation of a dry season to their constitu-
tion and needs. With the growing tendency toward the extension system of
treatment as opposed to immoderate pruning; with a better understanding of
the requisites for profitable culture, as combined in natural motion, adhesion
and ascension of the shoots from a good, but not over stimulated soil ; we deduce
from the experience of the past favorable auguries for the future of viticulture,
under propitious skies, even in our own County and Commonwealth. Years of
hope deferred may well be spent in the assurance of such a return at last. This
Society can, with a clear conscience, assume all the responsibility involved in
the advice to its members to plant the vine.

Of the Apple and Pear what can be said that is not familiar to you all ? Trees
that have been barren, literally for a generation, have bowed their limbs to the
earth under their burden of fruit. But it may be well to make a record of the
fact, for future reference, that scarcely a drop of rain fell during their entire
period of inflorescence. Nor should the premature and unseasonable ripening
and decay of pears (the autumnal varieties more especially), escape notice.
The la£t Beurre Bosc of your Secretary rotted at the core and disappeared on
the eighth of October. The Beurre Langelier is reported ripe at that time,
while the Beurre d'Anjou is accredited by the Doyen* of our Society with ma-
turing, in fit condition to eat, upon the tree. The Winter Nelis, whether gath-
ered or fallen, even now tempts the palate. Bow different from the crop of '
1869, superior specimens of which were exhibited, in perfection, by our excel-
lent Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, as recently as May 5th of
the current year. And yet, while this is true of the later varieties, the Bartlett
never was in better or more prolonged keeping.

It is to be hoped that the crop of apples has not been so sadly demoralized.
Should, however, the Greening and Baldwin require immediate consumption
after gathering, there may indeed be found some trifling advantage in that
infelicitous and untimely appointment of Thanksgiving, by Federal authority,

Hon. J. M. Earle.

30 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

which, ill its eagerness to anticipate State assignment, ignores centuries of
precedent and almost encroaches upon the summer.

There is one subject involved in the proper consideration of the future suc-
cessful culture of the apple, in regard to which your Secretary would esteem
himself false to duty did he not invite your most earnest attention. The
Canker Worm, whose permanent departure had been fondly anticipated, has
signalized his reappearance upon '' pastures new " by unwonted ravages.
The defoliation of orchards upon our hill-sides impressed upon the eye of
the beholder a scene of desolation that could not have been aggravated by the
passage of a devouring flame. Under any circumstances this would be bad
enough ; but when we reflect that these evil consequences are aggravated by
human carelessness, what adequate expression shall be found for our indigna-
tion ? When a malignant disease breaks out in a private residence, the public
claim and exercise authority to prevent the spread 6f infection. Should not
the strong arm of power be as well interposed, where individual selfishness or
indolence endanger the vitality of our orchards ? The sharp-nosed blood-
hounds of the law will scent out and pursue a pint of whiskey throughout the
entire length of the Commonwealth. May it not be well to hamper the surplus
energies of a superviceable constabulary by requiring of them the summary
destruction of all trees which are reserved solely for the nourishment of the
canker-worm and tent-caterpillar ? The occupation might not be as lucrative to
the force, but it would be of undeniable benefit to ihe community. It is re-
spectfully suggested, whether you should not address a memorial to the Great
and General Court, soliciting the encouragement of some other agency than
wings and beaks for the destruction of insects injurious to foliage and fruit. It
is disgraceful to the scientific acquirements and practical experience of the
State that the canker-worm should thus be suffered to pursue its career of
devastation, without check or hindrance. Should the St ite Constabulary be
unable to cope with the foe, for want of adequate inducements, the energies of
that lobby which besieged the State House so assiduously, in the interest of
the Hartford and Erie, would doubtless prove equal to the emergency. It
would be decidedly refreshing to behold either of those corrupt bodies illustrate
the doctrine of salvation by works.

Every member of the Society, conjointly with other visitors, must have
observed the extreme degree in which we are indebted, for much of the interest
which attaches to our Annual Autumual Exhibitions, to the unremitting
industry and thorough skill of professional gardeners. It may be well for us to
consider whether it does not lie within our especial province to make timely and
apt recognition of such superior evidences of horticultural attainment. The
objection may be urged, it is true, that the gardener by profession is already
remunerated for his labor and time by his employer; and that, without the
consent of the employer, he could exhibit none of the fruits of his toil. But
it would seem that this Society might well and profitably look beyond the dull

1870.] secretary's report. 31

horizon of dollars and cents, and those not drawn from its treasury, to that
brighter vision so sure to dawn upon an enlarged and liberal policy. The ex-
pediency of offering generous premiums for pre-eminent skill, as illustrated in
collections of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, to be open solely to the competi-
tion of professional gardeners, is presented for your careful consideration, in
the assured conviction that no otherwise can a more judicious expenditure be
sanctioned.

The price of admission to our future exhibitions should also be wisely con-
sidered and adjusted. It may be true that a higher tariff", imposed upon fewer
objects, will produce equal or more revenue, although experience in determin-
ing proper rates of postage or the amount of fare upon public conveyances, is
eloquent and emphatic to the contrary. But our treasury does not require to
be filled by an exaction of the last cent, nor do we " encourage the practice
and promote the science of horticulture" by rendering our exhibitions more
difficult of access. A shilling is a large sum in the eyes of a Paisley weaver ;
and yet that humble class of workmen, who would find themselves virtually
excluded from our rates of admission, have attained a world-wide reputation
by a specialty in floriculture. Scarcely can the temples of the living God be
opened save with a golden key, their doors upon golden hinges turning. Let
not the votaries of Pomona and Flora be debarred from the indulgence of an
innocent pleasure, in the exercise of their simple ministry, because of an "
unchecked greed.

Since the commencement of this report, a pear has been exhibited at one
of the weekly re-unions of the Society, that may well exact a word of notice.
A seedling originated by Hon. John Milton Earle, to whom this Society has
been so long indebted for many and various services, and with whose parent-
age it is but vaguely indentified under the name of Earle's Russett ; its
apparently confirmed excellence should render it alike a source of pride to him
and of interest to ourselves. Additions to the list of fruits, of approved good
quality, are too rare to justify the unhesitating acceptance of every new can-
didate. It may be said of Earle's Russett, that it has been nursed with care
and developed to an almost perfect assurance of decided superiority. Not
entirely dissimilar to the Beurre Easter, in flavor, though with more sprightli-
ness than that coy variety, the proof of this pudding also is evolved from the
eating. The shrinking modesty of him to whom we owe the origin of this
seedling, will, it is hoped, suffice to excuse the loudness of the blare which thus
unblushingly trumpets his achievment.

There is one field of usefulness, almost entirely neglected in this community,
which it would seem the especial duty of this society, with its ample means, to
possess and cultivate. A plague of lecturers, it is true, already infests our
public halls, countless and pertinacious as the flies in Egypt. But lectures
that are other than inane and drivelling platitudes ; that are instructive to an
audience because the speaker is master of his theme ; may be told off" upon

S2 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTlCULTtlRAL SOCIETy. [1870.

both hands without exhausting the tally of fingers. What true horticulturist
would not esteem his eveaings well spent in listening to Asa Gray, could that
profound student of Nature be induced to unfold her botanical secrets in his
own consummate style of simple lucidity ? The learned professor ot the Pea-
body Institute might occupy some hours, to mutual advantage, in imparting a
portion of that minute acquaintance with insects injurious to vegetation of
which the printed page could contain but a tithe. Would not the relation of
their experience by Breck, and Rand, and Strong, be of as much worth to the
florists and pomologists of Worcester, as to their fellows in West Newton?
Your favorable judgment of the policy, thus faintly outlined, is earnestly invoked.
Simultaneous with our own Autumnal Exhibition, another was held, as
inferior in character as it deserved to be from the ignoble purpose by which it
was prompted. The W^orcester Agricultural Society appears to have delib-
erately concluded to resume those displays of flowers and fruits which, upon
the organization of the Horticultural Society, were tacitly if somewhat reluc-
tantly i-elinquished. Yet, in this fact, can be found no reason why we should
be startled from our equanimity. We might, it is true, if equally oblivious of
comity, propose premiums for the game-cock or velocipede, and so contribute
our share towaid the further demoralization of the community. It is even
possible that, with good trotting, a crowd of pleasure-seekers would be attracted
as eager to fill an exhausted treasury as those gaping throngs which now flock
to witness the restricted, or stipulated speed ! of sluggish racers from the classic
purlieus of Pine Meadow or the ova-rian plaius of Tasseltop. Happily, we are
reduceJ to no such humiliating expedients. Public sentiment discriminates
surely, if slowly. Even did it not, we could but pursue the even tenor of our
way, seeking and attaining excellence in our exclusive pursuits. Let others
avoid our exhibitions, suspecting the impartiality of our committees and the
fairness of their awards, thereby betraying their own lurking bias to injustice.
Let others refrain from honorable competition, because specimens, fit only for
a third rate display, maybe eligible to agricultural premiums derived from the
bounty of the Commonwealth. Let him who prefers such investment, gain the
whole world at the expense of his own soul ! At this synchronal and rival
exhibition, there was also displayed, according to the contemporary press, "a
very superior collection of vegetables — the produce of the Worcester Poor
Farm." Possibly the disposition of such produce rests wholly in the discretion
of the steward, who has doubtless sound reasons for shunning competition with
those not having, like himself, the benefit of unpaid labor. Or, more likely,
the cause of this discrimination against our own exhibition, by the City of Wor-
cester, may be found in the fact that, whereas the Agricultural Society is
exempt from taxation upon its large and valuable tract of land, the Worcester
County Horticultural Society is mulcted in an annual tribute of six hundred
dollars, to replenish the exhausted treasury of the busy municipality in which
its Hall is located.

1870.] secretary's report. 33

In his Annual Report for 18(57, the Secretary made use of the following
language :

" The members of the Society who reside in the City of Worcester, are to be felici-
tated upon the inexhaustibility of the Municipal resources. So rich is the soil that it
rejects manure. In this ' heart of the Commonwealth,' we behold no weary or over-
burdened traveller tempted by the Japanese invitation to pause by the wayside
for relief! On the contrary, society is so cold — its formalities so polished — its exi-
gences so rigidly observed — that the very demands of nature would be subjected to
State ' search,' or Federal ' license,' unless endorsed by the original gardener. Hence
it happens that all Blth is so readily discerned. For this reason it is that the least speck
of dirt is at once avoided as an obstacle by our heavily imposed and evilly disposed
guardians of the peace. Therefore, and for that reason solely is it, that the sewerage of
one half of the municipality is to be concentrated into a single channel, and thenceforth
ejected to fertilize the valley of the Upper Blackstone. The tax-payers can perhaps
determine, by reference to their assessments, the actual cost to them in money, of this
system of terrene devastation. But the Agriculturist to a partial extent, and the Hor-
ticulturist in every branch of his profession, can but realize in all stages of their prac-
tice, the reckless and wasteful deprivation to which they are subjected. The ajsthetio
man is well enough in his way : but the pomologist is aesthetic naturally and by ac-
quirement : and he confesses to an honest need of plant-food, by whatever euphuism it
may be characterized. May it not be found that, with the ordure of Worcester will
disappear its verdure ? How long can a bank endure the simultaneous withdrawal of
its capital and discharge of its liabilities ? Can you burn a candle at both ends to
advantage ? "

Since that report was penned, the undertaking therein referred to has been
steadily pushed forward to its conclusion. The earth has been robbed of its
moisture without the compensation consequent upon that alleviation of the
soil inevitable upon a judicious system of under-drainage. The writer is prob-
ably alone in his objection to the theory of subterranean sewers, upon sanitary
considerations. As large laboratories for the decomposition of human excreta,
or as capacious storehouses for the retention and ultimate dissemination of
noxious gases, their poteutial agency must be conceded. Nevertheless he be-
lieves in purification by rain, in disinfection by the direct rays of the sun. To
the advocates of the popular system and practice he would recommend a hearty
snuff at that concentrated fragrance, effluent from those manifold and horrent
vents to the civic fundament, whose " offense is rank and smells to heaven,''
even amidst the frosts and snows of winter. But it is to the reckless, and
therefore wicked, waste of fertilizing material that the attention of all cultiva-
tors of the soil should be particularly directed. As a single element in the
cjmputation of this loss, so possible to avoid, and for that reason the more
inexcusable, consider the fact that a barrel of flour is estimated in the annual
subsistence of each and every 'udividual in the community. All then that
enters into the formation of two hundred thousand (200,000) bushels of wheat
saving the two (2) per cent, that remains in the human body, the sole and ex-
hausting product of twenty thousand (20,000) acres, is yearly extracted from

34 WORCESTER COUNTt HORTICtJLTtTRAL SOCIETY. [1870.

the prairies of the West, by the population of this single City, to swell the
clam banks of Narragansett Bay. Devastation of the essential constituents of
the difiFerent varieties of fruits, advance with similar unthrift. Do we need to
inquire why our long-established orchards refuse to yield their increase, except-
ing only seasons like the present, in which the fierce stimulus of a torrid heat
compelled a growth that threatens final and utter exhaustion ?

This whole subject, compared with which wars and rumors of wars are
dwarled into insignificance; this subject which involves in its ultimate relations
no less consequences than the future subsistence of entire nations, whereas
other matters but affect their prosperity or independence, has latterly forced
itself upon the attention of the People and Parliament of Great Britain. Tt is
felt that, without a speedy change, the land must continue to deteriorate ; its
produce to lessen with its impoverishment. Accordingly commissions are
formed, investigations set on foot, experiments prosecuted. Note the basis on
which they proceed !

" It is unquestionable that so well fed an animal as man ought to be good farm stock.
Compared with the sheep, he is little better fed, and he takes less out of his food. Take
any given human population ; its average weight is a pretty constant quantity and it
increases not more than two per cent, annually. The total weight of the population of
England increases not more than two per cent: that is all that man saves out of his
year's food in this country. On the other hand, the total weight of a flock of sheep
will increase in weight from forty to sixty per cent, in the same time. There is a
smaller waste of poorer food in the case of sheep than in the case of man ; and yet the
former is the best farm stock we have for maintaining the fertility of land, and the latter
is, in this respect, virtually good for nothing. What can be the explanation of this
anomaly ? The whole excrement of the sheep-fold is deposited on the land which it is
to benefit, while the whole waste from our houses finds its way into the river." Et sic
pasaivi.

Observe now the actual result of an attempt to utilize sewerage by irrigation,
thus saving what would otherwise be lost and restoring to the earth much of
which it had been robbed. The town, or borough of Romford, England, having
made purchase of a farm for the purpose of experiment, a party of gentlemen

" visited the premises on the ninth day of August last, and had their attention
drawn to a piece of Italian rye grass, sown on March nineteenth, since which
time four crops have been cut, averaging seven and one-half tons per acre, and
selling for £1 per ton on the ground. Close by was a piece of Dalmahoy po-
tatoes, planted on April second, which were producing upwards of one and one-
half hundred weight per rod, and worth about £25 per acre. Some beans and
peas sown on April second, produced — the former £d and the latter <£15, without
the straw. Another piece of rye grass, sown April ninth, will be ready to cut
for the fourth time in a few days. Adjoining were about four acres of trans-
planted mangel wurzel looking rank and strong. Another crop of the same
kind exhibited some very fine roots, many of the ylohes being two feet in cir-
cumference, and some of the ' long ' two feet in length."

" Close by was a crop of intermediate carrots, about four acres in extent,

WASS^.

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1870.] secretary's report. ^iS^Or ^^

sown on April fourth, a month later than they ought to have Gl^*i|ifcgjDme%)f
them have already been cleared off and sent to market, where they
at the rate of £41 per acre."

The statement is full of similar details, a complete citation of which would
occupy too much space and time. The conclusion was reached that, " as each
crop is labeled, showing the time of planting and the results that have been
achieved, the beholder cannot but be astonished at the rapidity with which the
various crops have sprung up and reached their present state of growth."

For two centuries have the inhabitants of this Commonwealth been commit-
ting waste ; dissipating, without thought for the morrow, all that affluent pro-
vision which a beneficent Providence had garnered up for human use through-
out the ages. Within the last five years have the dwellers in this Heart of the
Commonwealth lavished their energies and substance to facilitate the process
of devastation, and to counteract, so far as lies within their power, the recuper-
ative agences of nature. The cry of alarm, first sounded in behalf of this
Society, from this place, has been echoed by a few watchful observers. Yet
the denizens of the valley are but too prone to scout the warning when the
peril is even imminent to the watchman upon the heights.

Pursuant to the instructions of the Trustees, a petition, duly attested by the
signature of the Secretary and the seal of the Society, was presented to the
Great and General Court, at its latest and most lingering session, praying for
permission to citizens to destroy birds, predaceous of fruit, vegetables, etc.,
upon their own premises. This petition, with an independent memorial in aid
thereof from the Secretary, in which facts were stated and the names of wit-
nesses furnished, was referred to its Committee on Agriculture by the House ot
Representatives. Days and weeks elapsed, in which the current newspapers
of this County were carefully watched for an order of notice designating some
day for an audience of the petitioners. By chance, such order was at length
detected in the columns of the "Boston Advertiser — a pretty practical hint
that the community must take cognizance, at their peril otherwise, of more
things than the public statutes. This " hearing," however, like all which suc-
ceeded it, was appointed for Thursday — an insuperable obstacle, therefore, to
the attendance of the Secretary, who was not authorized to close the Library
for any such purpose. To his written application for the assignment of a dif-
ferent day, was returned the courtesy of unbroken silence. Finally, instead of
the permission solicited, the Committee reported back a bill allowing the
species of birds complained of to be killed upon private premises during the
months of September, October and November ! That is, after a majority of
the fruits which it was sought to protect should have been long out of season.
The license to destroy the Jia-dus migratorius , or pseudo-robin, in November —
how considerate and gracious ! In the contemporaneous accounts of the action

upon this bill, it is narrated that " the absurdity of the house, with its very
small experience in sporting, and its slight knowledge of tjie habits of birds,

36 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1870.

passing upon the details of the bill, was pointed out, and accordingly the
amendments adopted were only such as seemed to be clearly called for. The
chief of them were those which strike out two sections on the subject of duck,
teal and brant, and which strike out, the permission to kill robbins in the act of
destroying fruit, etc, etc. The bill was ordered to a third reading, but the
House was very thin and hardly more than a quorum was present."

Another reporter remarks that "several attempts to be funny, on the part of
members, excited some laughter." Such levity is not inexplicable. The peti-
tion was merely from some fruit-growers, desirous of protection in the enjoy-
ment of the results of their arduous toil : while the bill under discussion, to
use an expressive if somewhat slang phrase, had no moncji in it ! For it is
to be noted that a silence as of the grave hushed the risibilities of this same
House, when the fate of a measure, in behalf of which no petition had been
offered, but which was designed solely to enhance the value of stock and bonds
accruing to the members by purchase or otherwise, trembled in the balance.

. It is respectfully recommended that a similar petition be presented at the
next session of the General Court, and thai one or more members of the So-
ciety be designated to appear before the proper Committee to enforce its prayer.
The experience of another season strengthens the position uniformly main-
tained in these reports. The advocates of immunity have pointed to the angle-
worm as the habitual food of the birds (the turdus migraiorius in especial),
that are sought to be outlawed. But, as the angle worm, innocuous at worst,
has descended to the antipodes in search of moisture during the late tropical
summer, it would be curious to learn upon what else than fruit these fledgeling
sciolists and clod heads suppose their untamed aviary to have gorged ! A con-
cession of the prayer of your petition would occasion but trifling destruction of
the obnoxious birds. The whole frugivorous tribe are naturally timid. Their
bills protested upon presentation, they would offer their notes to those who pro-
fess to desire them for an accompaniment to their morning nap. Possibly our
honored ex -president,* might welcome large flocks, and hesitate yet more be-
tween the sensible delights of the palate and those tuneful memories A'hich he
evokes from the resources of an exhaustless fancy, or tha depths of his inner
consciousness. To him — the music — heaven save the mark ! harsh, disonant.
incessant; without strawberries, or pears, or grapes. To our friends upon
Sunnyside, the Seckel in unmarred perfection, as it was not exhibited, in this
Hall, on the thirteenth of October ult. To the rest of us peace at the last, as
we find ourselves left, unmolested, to reap the reward of our toil in the fruits
which we love.

The establishment of a decent compensatiou for the Chairman of the Com-
mittee of Arrangements, and a suitable addition to the salaries of the Treasurer
and the Secretary and Librarian, are commended to your serious notice and
favorable action. In the infancy of the Society, and even later while it was

Ex-Governor Bullock.

1870.] secretary's report. 37

struggling to maintain and extend its usefulness beneath an onerous load of
debt, economy even to the verge of penuriousness, was, perhaps, justifiable.
But, with increase of means, and consequent freedom from financial embarrass-
ment, should come that generosity which succeeds justice. Few are aware
of the labor and i-esponsibility imposed upon one or more of these officers.
Their time taken up is immeasurably less than that broken up, in your service.
Gratuitous labor is ever poorly appreciated, and what is that but gratuitous of
which the compensation is simply nominal ? " Thou shalt not muzzle the ox
that treadeth out the corn ! " is an injunction as applicable in Horticulture as
to the custodians of the bovine genus.

These remarks are made the more freely as they cannot be suspected of being
urged with a view to the individual benefit of the wriier. His intention of de-
clining a re-election to the office which, by your partiality, he has held for the
last ten years, was long since announced. But, with reference to an augmen-
tation of the salary of the Secretary and Librarian, he would advise further,
that the Library should be constituted the office of the Secretary, to form a sort
-of head-quarters or place of resort for members, in which that official should
be expected to spend so much of his time as might in equity be exacted. A
long and decided step will thus be taken toward that consummation, when, with
the Library open daily, as in Boston, every member of the .Society will realize that
there is at least one place accessible, to which he may resort in pursuit of in-
formation, for the statement of facts within his personal observation, and possi-
bly for barter or traffic. Until something like this is achieved ; until the con-
sumers and producers among our number are brought face to face and made
more intimately acquainted ; the best and most fruitful purposes in the owner-
ship of a Hall will fail to be subserved. The advantages to be derived from the
adoption of some such step, as is thus partially indicated, can be imperfectly
estimated by those who are familiar with the benefits that have ensued, from
the opening of the Library on Thursdays only of each week.

All which is respectfully submitted.

EDWARD W. LINCOLN,

Secretary mid Librarian.
HORTICOLTI'RAL HalL,

WoKCESTER, Mass., Nov. 2, A. D. 1870.

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