118 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



for the table or vineyard. Our country abounds with the wild grape in 

 varieties innumerable, of varied size, flavor and color ; but all possessing, 

 more or less, that strong, foxy taste, so disagreeable to those who are 

 familiar with the delicious foreign varieties grown in such perfection under 

 glass. There can be but little doubt that in process of time we shall obtain 

 from our wild species, or varieties, all we desire in the grape for hardiness, 

 freedom from disease, early ripening, improvement in flavor and pulp, but 

 it must be a work of time, patience, and perseverance. There is no reason 

 why there should not be the same improvement made in the grape as there 

 has been in the wild plum, apple, or pear ; or in the rose and dahlia, or in 

 any other wild fruit or flower. God has given us the raw material, if I 

 may so express it, and leaves it for our amusement and gratification to 

 bring out of the simple wild flower, beautiful and gorgeous varieties with- 

 out end ; and from harsh, unpalatable wildings, luscious fruits of every 

 conceivable variety of flavor and beauty. The improvements that have 

 been made in the second remove from the wild grape, as is witnessed in the 

 Concord, should give us greater confidence of final success. The Society 

 should give the most liberal encouragement for every improvement made 

 in this direction. 



Horticultural tastes have a very great tendency to improve the mind, 

 refine the manners, and increase the happiness of man. Every new plant, 

 and every new fruit or flower, add an additional charm to the life of those 

 whose inclination or taste has led them to this pursuit. Kind feelings, as 

 a general rule, characterize those who find amusement in the cultivation 

 and improvement of the trees, plants, fruits, and flowers which the God of 

 nature has given us. Those of us who can look back upon many years 

 of pleasurable intercourse in this Society, and call to mind the amount of 

 happiness we have derived from horticultural pursuits, and believing as we 

 do that this happiness rarely diminishes with age, most earnestly recom- 

 mend to the young members of the Society to give themselves to the study, 

 as well as the practice, of horticulture, so that they may not only secure to 

 themselves a never-failing source of happiness, but also, by their united 

 efforts, prove benefactors to their country, by their influence and example, 

 and by the diffusion of knowledge. 



If we would realize the anticipations of those who organized this So- 

 ciety, and with so much energy and zeal put it in motion, and if we would 

 not disappoint the hopes of those who have joined our ranks from year to 

 year, and carried on its operations with no less energy and zeal, we must 

 all put our hands to the work with the same unity of purpose, intelligence, 

 and devotion that have characterized those who have preceded us. We 

 must not be satisfied with any progress or improvement that has been made, 

 or can be made, until every fruit or flower, " good for food or pleasant to 

 the sight," that can be cultivated in our climate, has been brought to its 

 highest state of perfection. 



