PROCEEDINGS, 141 



the gains of a liberal enterprise and intelligent skill, in many new varieties of choice fruits, 

 and rare and beautiful flowers ; and by its premiums, offered and awarded for superiority 

 in each, it has excited a laudable spirit of emulation, and has done somewhat towards 

 promoting- an improved mode of cultivation in both. But although much may have been 

 done, — perhaps all, that, in the infancy of the Society, should have been attempted, — very 

 mucii more remains to do, before the ends for which the Society was instituted can, if they 

 ever can, be approximated. Years have brought to the Society an increase in the number 

 of its members • and this, assisted by the liberal bequests and donations of its friends, an 

 addition to its funds ; and this increase in its means of usefulness, authorizes, if it does not 

 demand, an attempt in advance, towards attaining the ends for which it was organized. 



An opinion has long been entertained, by some, at least, of the members of the Society, 

 that some effort should be made, for their mutual instruction in a more economical and 

 scientific cultivation of Trees and Plants, than at present generally prevails. Different 

 modes have been suggested, in reference to this result, and one of the recommendations of 

 the President seems to have had this end, with others, in view. If a Committee of the 

 Society shall occasionally, through the season, visit the gardens of such of the members as 

 may desire it, in order to ascertain those which are the neatest kept, best cultivated, and 

 most economically managed, — and, at the same time, inform themselves minutely of the 

 mode of cultivation pursued in each, the nature of the different soils, and the kinds of 

 manure applied, and shall, in tlieir report, detail the extent of their observations and 

 inquiries in these particulars, — something may, perhaps, be done towards attaining the 

 object last alluded to, and carry out, at the same time, the suggestions contained in the 

 address. But whether this may be so, or not, your Committee heartily concur with the 

 President, in his recommendation of offering a premium for the neatest kept, most 

 economically managed, and best cultivated garden ; and also, for grounds specially 

 appropriated to Vegetables, Fruits, or Flowers, distinguished by like characteristics; and 

 they further advise, that a premium should be offered for similar superiority, displayed in 

 the cultivation of Grapes or Plants, under glass, in Greenhouses or Graperies. The award 

 of premiums, as at present offered by the Society, though attended with beneficial results, 

 and fairly made, is not always a criterion of merit. Exclusive attention may have been 

 bestowed, by the successful competitor for the prize, upon one production, or upon a limited 

 number of trees or plants, to the exclusion of all others, and thereby bear away the prize 

 of superiority, — and justly, too, under the rules of the Society, — from him, vphose garden, 

 for scientific cultivation, neatness, and economy in management, may be a pattern. 



A regular, scientific course of lectures, upon subjects connected with Horficulture, — as 

 upon the nature of the different varieties of soil, the fertilizers and stimulants adapted to 

 each, the cultivation best suited to them, the vegetation for which they are best fitted, or 

 giving an account of destructive insects, their habits and history, with the modes for their 

 destruction, — would, doubtless, be both instructive and entertaining; and the delivery of a 

 course of this description, if those qualified for the duty would place their services at the 

 disposition of the Society, be desirable and beneficial. But, as the members of the Society 

 are scattered abroad over the State, and could improve the opportunity but to a limited 

 extent, if such was afforded, and as the information alluded to can readily be obtained from 

 books, where it is wished, — the small number of members to enjoy this advantage, if 

 provided for them, and the pecuniary circumstances of the Society, do not, in the opinion 

 of your Committee, justify an appropriation of money for this purpose. 



The cultivation of a taste for, and instrucUon in, the art of Landscape Gardening, seems 

 one of the legitimate objects of our association, and, for its own sake, is highly worthy of 

 encouragement. Nothing contributes so much to the beauty and ornament of a country 

 residence, as grounds neatly kept, laid out with taste, upon correct principles of art, 

 founded on the teachings of nature ; and any measure that can be adopted, for the 



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