24 BANQUET TO THE 



for he has done more to promote and dignify their 

 occupation than any other man in America. In 

 horticulture, the belles-lettres of farming, he has 

 wrought miracles, and made it possible for every 

 home to have its Eden. He has shown that man 

 may still walk with God in the garden in the cool of 

 the day. Time would fail me to recount his great 

 and honorable services to society and the State. It 

 must suffice to say that no name of this century 

 is written more imperishably in the affection and 

 esteem of Boston and Massachusetts than the name 

 of him, our honored guest, whose birthday we greet 

 and bless to-night. With upright form, with clear 

 vision and unclouded intellect, he still stands before 

 us and walks among us, as wise as ever, as eloquent 

 as ever, and so good that there is no need of his 

 ever growing better ; and our prayer is that he may 

 return late to the heavens, but that when he must 

 ascend, his mantle may fall upon us. 



