It ought to be clear that the success of all societies of this character depends on the informat on and instruction to be derived by the members and others who sustain it; and the failures to maintain an existence, come generally from a failure to interest the public.

We have before shown that the failure to draw exhibitors, comes as much from the failure of the society to do them justice, as from any other cause. An exhibitor in these days knows that there is very little honor in "premiums" as things go. In a large number of cases premiums are given because the fruits or plants are the best in the room. Frequently - too often - one can see better in the markets or street corners. Descriptive awards should therefore be made; and the society should not think its duty done when the premium is paid, but should take special pains to do public honor to its successful exhibitor. First-class exhibitors do not take the trouble to compete, when the "premium" is the "be all and end all" of their effort.

But there is another view that we have not before presented, why descriptive awards should be made; and that is, the instruction of the members and visitors. Nine out of ten do not know why an award is made. They take no interest in the awards, unless some personal friend is among the lucky ones. It is a duty to those desiring instruction, that these descriptive awards should be made.

There should be in every society a "Committee on Instruction," whose duty should include all these matters. We are led to these remarks by a passage in the address of the retiring President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mr. John B. Moore. That society is one that is highly prosperous, and the past year one of its especially prosperous ones:

"Among the causes of this prosperity are the lectures, essays and discussions conducted by the society, which have been of a high order and have given new ideas to the members and others; have informed them of new methods of culture, awakened an interest which is shown in the exhibitions, and given the society a high standing in other places. Much credit is due to the committee on publication and discussion for their efficiency in this work".

This is the experience of other societies that have tried to make their exhibitions instructive. The Germantown Horticultural Society, a local society near Philadelphia, started some years ago under excellent auspices. Its founder and President, John Jay Smith, brought to it the patronage of the best people in the community. On his withdrawal under the pressure of advancing years, with only the premium plan to rely on, everything went back, the society got heavily in debt, and it was on the point of dissolution. Then a "Committee on Botany " was formed, the duty of which was to give instruction to the members on whatever might be exhibited. This talk the chairman of the committee always gives. The rooms are always crowded to overflowing, and the Society is out of debt and with a handsome surplus in the treasury.