568 MEMORIAL OF 



ture, laid the horticulturists of all nations under heavy obligations." He 

 has shown a notable zeal in advancing the interests of agricultural study 

 among others as well as in his own researches and labors in its pursuits, one 

 of his most important undertakings in this direction being his part in the 

 founding of the United States Agricultural Society in 1852, of which he was 

 president for six years. He imported fruit trees from England, France, 

 Belgium and Germany, and more than three hundred varieties of the pear 

 have been brought from his grounds to a single exhibition, and for several 

 years he took the first premium of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 

 for the best collection. He exhibited at the Bay State cattle show one hun- 

 dred varieties of pears and twenty of grapes. 



Mr. Wilder was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society, and was its president from 1840 to 1848. He also initiated the 

 organization of the State board of agriculture, and assisted in the establish- 

 ment of the State Agricultural College and of the United States Agricul- 

 tural Society. His long services in connection with the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society were duly recognized by that body, which, upon his retire- 

 ment from the presidency, presented him with an elegant silver pitcher and 

 caused his portrait to be placed in its hall. As president of this association, 

 he headed the circular for a convention of fruit growers, held in New York, 

 Oct. 10, 1848, when the American Pomological Society was formed. He 

 was chosen its first president, which office he held until his death. In Feb- 

 ruary, 1849, the Norfolk Agricultural Society was formed, Mr. Wilder being 

 chosen its first president, and it was before this society that his first address 

 on agricultural education was delivered. He retained the presidency of this 

 society for twenty years, and on his retirement was made honorary presi- 

 dent. After the establishment of the Massachusetts central board of agri- 

 culture he was elected president, and held that office until it became ;i 

 department of the State. In 1853 the Massachusetts School of Agriculture 

 was incorporated, and he was chosen president; but before the school was 

 opened Congress granted land to the several States for agricultural colleges, 

 and in 1865 the legislature incorporated the Massachusetts Agricultural Col- 

 lege. He was named the first trustee In 1871 the first class was gradu- 

 ated, and in 1878 he had the honor of conferring the degree of bachelor of 

 science on twenty young gentlemen graduates. He delivered addresses on 

 both occasions. In 1852 he issued a circular in behalf of several States for a 

 national meeting at Washington, which was fully attended, and where the 

 United States Agricultural Society was organized. Daniel Webster and a 

 host of distinguished men assisted in its formation. This society, of which 

 he was the president for the first six years, exercised a beneficial influence 



