In reviewing events since our last meeting, I feel that we should most gratefully recognize that Divine Goodness which has preserved the lives of so many of our members to the present time. Some few - only a few - from our large membership have passed away, and only one, so far as we know, of the more than one hundred connected with us by official relations, has departed since our last session, two years ago.

But he whom we could least spare has been taken from us. Charles Downing, our beloved friend, the upright man, and the great pomologist of America, is no more ! The loss to our country and cause seems now to be irreparable. But Infinite Wisdom cannot err, and we should be thankful that he has been so long spared to us.

Mr. Downing was born at Newburg, N. Y., July 9th, 1802, and died at his home in that city January 18th, 1885. His death is to me a most afflictive event. We were associated together for nearly half a century in efforts to advance the pomology of our country. Succeeding, as he did, his brother, A. J. Downing, whose eulogy it was my sad duty to pronounce thirty.two years ago, he became the editor of the Fruits and Fruit Trees \ of America, all the editions of which have been dedicated to my name from the first. These circumstances have drawn us more and more closely together by the ties of affection and friendly regard.

As a pomologist, he was world-renowned for his knowledge, accuracy, and good judgment, and as such had a longer experience than any other man of whom I have any record in this or any other country. His books will ever be precious memorials of good fruits and good men; of a life whose great object was to make others happy in the enjoyment of the beauties and bounties of creation-and which has been a blessing to our world.

For more than a generation, he edited the Fruits and Fruit Trees of America, first written by his brother forty years ago. With the progress and expansion of pomology, this work grew under his hand to such an extent that he might well have claimed to be the author; yet, with characteristic modesty, he preferred to lay his laurels upon his brother's grave. This encyclopaedic work, in its many successive editions, is now the authority in regard to the multitude of fruits described in it.

Charles Downing is dead, but his spirit is still with us, and will continue to inspire our souls, and the souls of those who shall succeed us, as long as a love of the beautiful in nature, of rural pleasures and of domestic comfort shall have a place in the heart of mankind. His star has now set. but it has left a golden record which shall illumine the annals of pomology, while the earth shall bring forth the fruits which he so much loved. His works are a rich legacy to the American people, and an enduring monument to his memory.

Although it has not been our custom to refer to the decease of members who had not been officially connected with us, I cannot refrain from expressing the deep regret which has been generally felt on account of the deaths of two of our members who held the highest positions in the Horticultural Societies of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, whose hospitalities we have several times enjoyed.

Hon. W. L. Schaffer had for seventeen years held the office of President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and had been still longer in other official positions. He was much devoted to the interests of that Society, and the advancement of our cause.

Hon. Francis B. Hayes was in the fifth year of his Presidency of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. He was much interested in Horticultuie, especially in the introduction of new shrubs and plants for the adornment of his country residence, expending large sums of money for this object, and was one of the largest and most constant contributors to the exhibitions of the Society over which he so ably presided.

Both of these gentlemen were taken from us last year; they will long be remembered for their love of Horticulture, and their labors in promoting it, and will long be mourned, not only by their respective Societies, but by those of this Society who remember them as presiding with dignity and grace at the banquets given to us on our last visits to Boston and Philadelphia.