MAKSHALL PINCKNEY "WILDEE. 



members as were more closely allied to them in taste, they sought to form a separate 

 oro-anization. The subject was discussed, and at the motion of Mr. Wilder, was 

 referred to a joint committee, of which Judge Story was Chairman. Mr, Wilder was 

 also a leadino- member. The committee made many unsuccessful attempts to agree 

 upon the terms on which the society should transfer to the proprietors of the Cemeteiy 

 the exclusive title to its grounds and appurtenances, and to the fund which had been 

 created and would be increased by the sale of lots. 



To Mr. Wilder's foresight is to be accorded the honor of suggesting the resolutions 

 which harmonized these conflicting interests, by providing that one fourth part of the 

 o-ross proceeds from the annual sale of lots, after abating certain expenses, should be 

 paid, year by year, to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. The adoption of this 

 resolution, in 1835, has proved highly beneficial to both organizations. It has brought 

 a large sum into the treasury of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, for the 

 enlargement of its library, for the erection of its Hall in School Street, and for the 

 encouragement of cultivators by premiums. It has enabled the Cemetery Association 

 to prosecute its object with more energy and singleness of purpose, to adorn its gi-ounds, 

 and to erect its beautiful Temple and Observatory. 



Five years from the date of this transaction, Mr. Wilder was elected President of the 

 Massachusetts Hoi-ticultural Society, an office which he held for eight years, and the duties 

 of which he discharged with distinguished ability and success. During his administra- 

 tion, its number of members, its library and funds increased, and it erected its commo- 

 dious Horticultural Hall — at the laying of the corner-stone and the dedication of 

 which he delivered appropriate addresses reported in its transactions and in the journals 

 of that date. Its triennal festivals ranked among the most popular gala-days in tliat 

 metropolis, assembUng from city and country, persons of all professions, and of both 

 sexes in the " Old Cradle of Liberty," and crowding it to its utmost capacity. Taste- 

 fully decorated on these occasions, it seemed like the temples of Flora and Pomona, 

 where these goddesses vied with each other for supreme control over their devotees. 

 These occasions will long be remembered for their luxurious entertainments, and for 

 their soul-stirring addresses from Webster, Everett, and other chief masters of elo- 

 quence. Mr. Wilder's speeches and sentiments at these festivals ennce a perfect self- 

 control, and a dehcate sense of propriety and practical wisdom which characterize him, 

 and admirably qualify him for a presiding officer. When he retired from the Presi- 

 dency of that society, its members expressed their sense of obligation for his long and 

 valuable semces by a vote of thanks, which they accompanied with an elegant silver 

 service. Both before and since that period, he has contributed largely for the advance- 

 ment of pomology, by the annual importation of fruit trees from the chief European 

 cultivators, by the encouragement of nurserymen, by the cultivation of trees and plants 

 in variety in his own grounds, by his extensive correspondence with fruit growers, and 

 by his addresses and communications devoted to this interest. His skill and success in 

 the cultivation of fruits and flowers is well known, particularly of the Pear, of which 

 he has exhibited, at one show, more than three hundred varieties, and also of the 

 Camellia, of which he has raised several superb seedlings. Of these. Camellia Wil- 

 derii and Camellia Mrs. Ahhy Wilder deservedly rank among the finest varieties of 

 ■jueen of flowers, 

 ur readers are already aware of the prominent part which be *^ok in the organi- 



