70 HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



Magnolia, and other plants, which require a constantly humid soil and 

 decayed vegetable matter for their nourishment. 



" On the south eastern and north eastern borders of the tract can be 

 arranged the Nurseries, and portions selected for the culture of fruit trees 

 and esculent vegetables, on an extensive scale ; there may be arranged the 

 Arboretum, the Orchard, the Culinarium, Floral Compartments, Melon 

 Grounds, Strawberry Beds and Green Houses, The remainder of Ihe 

 land may be devoted to the Cemetery. 



" By means of a more extensive correspondence with eminent horticul- 

 turists, it is certain that many rare, valuable and beautiful plants may be 

 obtained, not only from all parts of our own country,, but other regions of 

 the globe, which could be naturalized to the soil and climate of New 

 England. This can be efficiently undertaken so soon as a Garden of 

 Experiment is formed ; but it would be ahuost useless to procure large 

 collections of seeds or plants, until we are enabled to cultivate them^ 

 under the immediate direction of the Society. 



" Accounts of the experiments which may be made should be periodi- 

 cally reported and published ; and seeds, buds, cuttings and uncommon 

 varieties of rooted plants may be distributed among the members of the 

 Society, and be sold for its benefit, in such manner as may be found most 

 expedient, to render the garden the most extensively useful in all its 

 relations with the Avants, comforts and pleasures of life. 



" Such an establishment is required for 'collecting the scattered rays of 

 intelligence, and blending them with the sciences and accumulating experi- 

 ence of the times,' and then diffusing them far and wide, to cheer and 

 enlighten the practical horticulturist in his career of agreeable and profitable 

 industry. It will powerfully contribute to increase the taste for rural 

 pursuits ; stimulate a generous spirit of research and emulation ; suggest 

 numerous objects worthy of inquiry and experiment ; multiply the facilities 

 of information, and the interchange of indigenous and exotic plants ; 

 develop the vast vegetable resources of the Union ; give activity to enter- 

 prise ; increase the enjoyment of all classes of citizens ; advance the 

 prosperity, and improve the general aspect of the whole country. 



" The establishment of a Cemetery in connection with the Garden of 

 Experiment, cannot fail of meeting public approbation. Such rural burial 

 places were common among the ancients, who allowed no grave-yards 

 within their cities. The Potter^s Field was without the walls of Jerusalem ^ 

 and in the Twelve Tables it was prescribed, ' that the dead should neither 

 be buried nor burned in the city' of Rome. Evelyn slates, ' that the 

 custom of burying in churches, and near about them, and especially in 

 great cities, is a novel presumption, indecent, sordid and very prejudicial 

 to health ; it was not done among the Christians in the primitive ages ; 

 was forbidden by the Emperors Grotian, Valentian and Theodosius, and 



