Address delivered before the Mass. Hort. Society. 187 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. Address delivered before the Massachusetts Horticul- 

 tural Society, at their Eighth Anniversary, Sept. 17, 1836. 

 By Ezra Weston, Jr. Pamphlet, 8vo. pp. 40. Boston: 

 1836; with some observations on the prospects of the Society. 



It must be a source of great pleasure to every patron of hor- 

 ticultural science in this vicinity, and especially to the members 

 of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, to observe the 

 prosperous condition to which that Society has arrived within a 

 few years. Commenced under happy auspices, and aided, 

 supported, and encouraged by men of the first talents and abili- 

 ties, it has gone on increasing in strength and power. By the 

 late report of its President, read in its hall on the fourth of March, 

 1837, it would seem that its funds were in a highly prosperous 

 condition, its respectability abroad such as to give it a high stand 

 for usefulness and honor, while its sympathy and co-operation 

 with distinguished societies, and the private efforts of individuals, 

 have been repeatedly solicited. Deeply interested in its pros- 

 perity and welfare as is the writer, the question has often occurred 

 to him, in what manner could it still be made more useful than 

 now? A few observations on this point. 



The President, in his report before alluded to, has dropped a 

 valuable hint on the appropriation of its funds to the erection of 

 a suitable building for the weekly exhibition of fruits and flowers, 

 and, at the same time, capable of other uses, by which an income 

 by rent should be constantly accruing to the treasury of the So- 

 ciety. With a prospective view of still increased utility, we 

 are glad to perceive that he has also borne in mind the ultimate 

 object, the establishment of an experimental garden. What- 

 ever project may hasten the fulfilment of this scheme must be 

 hailed with pleasure. The advantages which have arisen from 

 the weekly exhibitions, and from the annual festivals, in growing 

 and encouraging a taste for such pursuits, are incalculable. And 

 yet much remains to be done. The Society may be considered 

 as yet in its infancy, — an infancy, indeed, which gives a noble 

 promise of a glorious manhood. We trust, therefore, that this 

 suggestion of the President will be duly considered. A Society 

 of upwards of three hundred immediate members should possess 

 its own hall, suitable for all the pin-poses of scientific research 

 and study. With such a generous provision, and thus only, can 

 it sustain with increasing effect its credit, respectability and use- 

 fulness. 



