Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-11-07
Report Of the Secretary of the Horticul-
tural Society.

To The Members Of the Worcester County Ho,-
tjcUltlro} Society;
By singular felicity, during the huty-t,go
| years of its existence, the Worcester C0l,ntV
| horticultural Society has been called to mourn
the loss OF but two ~ of the ten 10) Presidents,
to whose disinterested labor and bright example
50 much of its past prosperity NAV be iusTly
attributed. In the recent death of GEORGE
JAQUEs very great misfortune has befallen u.s.
Associated with our aims and pursuits from the
first, alike from natural inclination and the bent
OF his cultivated taste, he never swerved from
his pomoloSical devotion. By precept and prac-
tce-through the columns of the newspaper
press, as in the pages of the concise but valua-
bic treatise Of which he was the authorize
IaDOred asslduouSly to inspire others with por-
ton, however minute, of his own zeal, instruct
ing them. at the same time, as to the most prob
able methods OF success. With almost uneX-
ampled patience, he ransacked the files of an
cent journals to extract therelrOm the obsolete
Reports of our Committees, the sole record of
our development from the feeblest inception,
c0Iating and editing the whole with rare en-.
thusiasm, and thereafter publishing, at his own
expense, the ripe fruit of his unSelfsh toll.
How he served you for years in the office of
Secretary, and subsequently as President for
term rendered all too short by his own nervous
ditiidencc, it needs not here to detail. Always
ready at your behest, his time and face pen
were constantly put in requisitiOn for the in
cessant and seasonable discharge Of the Onerous
and responsible work of Chairman of Commit
tees. Nor was this duty, when once assumed
ever Sll@hted by him, as the volume of your
published transactions amply attests. He inva-
riably found time TO make personal inspection
oil all articles within his especial jurisdiction
eSteeming it just, if inadequate, return for the
efforts of the contributors, that they should at
least receive honorable mention. His interest
was especially manifested in the original prep
aration of Our "Select List of Fruits" Con-
slant III attendance upon all OF those earlier dis
cuSslonS that did so much TO revive the dorm
ant interest Of the community, his mature ex-
penence was OF essential benefit i'll helping to-
ward the formation of definite conclusions upon
a multitude Of disputed questions You ali re-
call the active part taken by him in the spring
OF this. very year, while that "Select List of
FRUITS was in process of revision. He never
failed to express to your Secretary, whenever
they CHANGED to meet, his qualification at the re-
newal of those discussions, emphasizing his
purpose TO do all within his power to render
them popular and useful.
Cut short in the meridian of his days, with
faculties unmpaired and energies fairly directed
10 the beneiaction OF his fellow creatures, may
1t not be his decisive as it is his just epitaph-
'tFiHis Coronat 0pusp
The city Of his nativity, through its const-
tuted authorities, attended his obsequies; the
officers Of your Society aided in bearing his
mortal remains to the grave.
after LIES fitful fever, ne sleeps we'll"
The library is in its usual good condition,
and has continued, throughout the past year
TO supply entertainment combined with exact
instruction to such of the members as wished to
consult its volumes But few elaborate works
exclusively devoted to horticultural science re-
remain to be acquired; nor is it likely that
many will be published hereafter of value as
containing the mature results of original and
exhaustive research. The worth of libraries
devoted to special branch of human specula-
non or knowledge is not to be measured by the
greater or less array upon their shelves.
single sentence of "What | Know About Farm
ing" if in point of fact | do know it, may be of
vastly more benefit to humanity than whole
pages of "All Toll Irksome" or GLOW to Live
Without Labor" In the judgment of the Ii
brarian, the richest fruits of conemporaneous
inquiry and culture, will be gathered from the
serial publications of our own and foreign
countries. Thus persuaded, he has not hesitated
in affiXing your subscription TO the list of
patrons OF several of the choicer English Maya
zines. OF these, The GARDEN" established
aud edited by the accomplished author of the
PABKs, GARDENS, and PRoMEEADEs OF PARIS,
is especially noteworthy, whether from the eX-
cellence of its letter press or the charm of its il
llstrations. The VILLA GARDENER" the
"FLoRAL WORLD" and the Gardener" are
also recent aud desirable acquisitions. But
surprising them all in intrinsic value, and con-
shutting perhaps, all things considered, the
most precious series in our entire collection
must be named the eighteen I1Sl volumes of the
FLoRE DIES SERIES, alike the envy and despair
Of its rivals. To aid you in its proper apprecia-
ton, listen TO the words Of our learned associ-
cate, Thomas Neehdn,
M Van H0UHe'S FLOBE DIES SERIES is one
OF the most beautiful works on new flowers
published in the world. Many who care moth
ing about cutiyating flowers themselves sub
scribe for the magazine for the mere beauty of
aaraff m 1r,.
tables" Such publications., once ont of print,
arc never reisSued. 1t should furnish cause for
sincere congratuation that we were able TO pro-
cure the Set complete from its commencement.
Each successive volume will be obtained as
soon as may be after publication.
The use Of the library, by circulation, through.
oat the past year, has been somewhat less than
usual. But an explanation OF this fact, other
wise discouraging, is found in the opportunity
of perusal and consultation afforded by the more
constant attendance of the librarian through.
out the season. The interest that centred so
strongly in the weekly exhibitions was however
the CHIEF reason for this apparent diminution of
interest, Having before them the perfected
specimen OF flower or fruit in its prime there
was less need for beginners to seek for the why
or wherefore Of what was not as plainly visible
in the printed page. Whenever such authority
was desired for consultation it was easily acces-
sible.
The customary Catalogue of Additions TO the
Library, during the official year 1912, is here.
with submitted, for your more precise inlorma-
ton:
Department of Agriculture, report of 1906 1vol
$40. Hon G. T. Hoar
n. Il. Farmer 1870, VOL, 8vo Society.
Alpine Plants: London.
Every Woman Her Own Gardeners Pamphlet. j
vol, quartO. Society
Eighth Report Board of State Charities: VOL
svo. Hon Edward Earle
Fourteenth Report Comm N. Y Central Park:
Pamphlet $40. Hon A. H. Greene
Small Fruit Recorder: 1871. Vol. g. Society.
Fruit Gorden Barry. Revised and Enlarged Edi.
tiOu 1872 vol. eyo. Society
First Annual Report Department of Public Parks,
N. ". 1871; Pamphlet. syo Hon. A. II. Greene
villa Gardener: l vol. Syo. London cloth.
Society.
vol 2
journal OF Horticulture; Vol, 90 9yo London,
1871. Society
Journal of Horticulture, VOL q, $40. London,
ISL. Society.
Hogg's Gardeners Year Book, 1875 | vol limo.
Society,