1878.] REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 35 



they are but a mere waste of time, that there must be a decided change 

 in their character. There can bo no such thing as fiat Terrae-culture. 

 It required the sweat of the brow, and plenty of it, at that, to grow 

 Strawberries upon Sunnyside, throughout the heat of last June. Not 

 even " Sovereigns of Industry " can proclaim — Let there be berries / 

 with absolute assurance of a crop. An order to cease their ravages 

 will scarcely be heeded by the insects on Olean Street, upon whose 

 myriads incessant war has made but slight impression. The future 

 apostle must sit at the feet of Gamaliel, that he may be qualified to 

 teach. A Society like this should be able to place in requisition the 

 most ample learning : should not be satisfied with inferior service. 

 Its Members will do all that is within their power : but they 

 can admit, without affectation of humility, that there are acclivities 

 and summits of knowledge which they have had neither leisure nor 

 opportunit}'^ to surmount. Why then, longer, impose a tax upon good 

 nature, which has already >ufficiently responded ; or, without necessity, 

 subject ourselves to wearisomeness under vain repetitions. If we will 

 thresh the same old bundle of straw, we must content ourselves with 

 chaff. Yet why not meet the conceded demand with a suitable supply? 

 Are we so anxious to talk, ourselves, — that we cannot, or will not 

 listen ? Amherst rejoices in Goessman and Stockbridge : Cambridge' 

 felicitates herself upon the world-wide renown of Goodale, Sargent, and 

 Gray. Would not a course of lectures from any one of those eminent 

 savans, — Scientice doctores, — be of vastly more worth, than the spas- 

 modic utterances that must otherwise constitute our sole poor reliance 

 for the future ? A partial test of the attractiveness of Botanical in- 

 struction has been had during the past summer, in this c\ty. Might 

 not the measure of success be greater, were the experiment tried upon 

 a more generous scale, and with larger appliances ? It is doubtless a 

 good thing to exhibit flowers. Would it not be better to show the 

 inexperienced in what simplest manner they may be grown ? This 

 Society was incorporated by the General Court, some thirty-six j^ears 

 since, for the purpose, as explicitly stated in the Charter, of " advancing 

 " the science and encouraging and improving the practice of Horticul- 

 " ture." Somewhat of its actual achievements may be estimated, by 

 those who behold the abundance with which fruit and vegetables are 

 supplied to our markets ; or that rarer charm and fragrance, wherewith 

 garden and lawn are made to attract -and delight the senses. And yet, 

 within how limited a sphere is its usefulness confined ? To how few 



