AN 



ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS, 



IN RELATION TO THE 



EXPERIMENTAL GARDEN AND THE CEMETERY 



OF 



MOUNT AUBURN. 



On the establishment of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, an 

 Experimental Garden was considered indispensible for the full deve- 

 lopement of all the great purposes of that institution. It was often the 

 subject of anxious inquiry and interesting discussion, and the only 

 cause of delay, in commencing the important work, on an extensive 

 plan, was the deficiency of adequate means. 



A Rural Cemetery had claimed the attention of several distin.ffuished 

 gentlemen, some ten years since, but no definite measures were taken 

 for accomplishing an object of such deep interest and genera! solicitude 

 among all classes of society. Among the originators of that laudable 

 yeffraitless attempt, Ur. Jacob Bigelow was conspicuous for his zealous 

 efforts to insure success ; and, although disappointed in his expectations 

 at that time, he never abandoned the hope of an ultimate triumph over 

 the numerous obstacles, which were to be encountered, in tiie achieve- 

 ment of such a momentous project. Soon after the organization of the 

 Horticultural Society, with characteristic promptness and energy, he 

 suo-gested to the President the expediency and propriety of combining 

 a Cemetery with an Experimental Garden. The proposition was cor- 

 dially approved, and, having been communicated to the Society, it be- 

 came a favorite theme of conversation among the members ; but no 

 feasible plan was digested which promised a favorable result. The 

 measure was commended to the serious attention of the public by 

 Z. Cook Jr., Esq., in the Address wliich he delivered before the Horti- 

 cultural Society, on the celebration of its second anniversary ; and the 

 great advantages of a Garden of Experiment was repeatedly urged in 

 the horticultuial communications pubUshcd in "The New England 

 Farmer." There was no discrepancy of opinion as to tlie urgent 

 necessity of founding both establishments ; all considered them, not 

 only desirable, hut highly important objects of attainment. Still there 

 were wantin--- the re(iuisite funds ; and how to procure them was a 

 problem of difficult solution, when George W. Brimmer, Esq. proposed 



