284 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



The Committee compared these apples with the Northern Spy, and 

 thought it not equal to the last-named variety. They, however, reserve 

 the expression of their opinion concerning it until further opportunities of 

 testing it have heen afforded. 



Maij 5th. — Exhibited. Flowers : From J. A. Lowell, fine specimens of 

 Bilbergia viridiflora, Brassia maculata, Oncidium flexuosum, and other 

 plants. From T. Needham, Azalea variegata, and cut flowers. From J. 

 A. Kenrick, flowers of Magnoha conspicua. 



Vegetables. — From T. Needham, brace of Barnes's Man of Kent; 

 brace of Weedon cucumbers. From John Quant, brace of Allen's A'^ic- 

 tory cucumbers. 



May \2th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day, — the 

 President in the chair. 



On motion of Mr. Wilder, it was voted, that the Treasurer, with the ad- 

 vice and consent of the Finance Committee, be authorized to make a sale of 

 stocks, and to borrow a sum of money, not exceeding S 1000, to meet a 

 mortgage due 16th of May. 



A mortgage deed of $ 10,000 was made by Jos. Bradlee, Esq., and the 

 President was authorized to execute it. 



A piece of plate was presented to M. P. Wilder, late President of the 

 Society, and the following corespondence submitted by the Committee : — 



Boston, May 1, 1849. Hon. Blarshall P. Wilder: Dear Sir,— At a meeting of 

 the Massachusetts Horticuhural Society, held in their library room, January 6lh, 1849, 

 the following resolutions were passed: — 



[Here follow the resolutions that we published at the time.] 



And now sir, in compliance with the above resolutions, we present, for your accept- 

 ance, a silver pitcher, which we request you to receive as a token of esteem for the zeal 

 and success with which you have served in the cause of horticulture and floriculture 

 while a member of the Society, and more particularly while acting as President during 

 the term of eight years. With sincere wishes for your continued uspfuhiess, heallli, and 

 prosperity, we are, sir, n.ost respectfully, your friends, Bknj. V. French, Cheever 

 Newhall, Joseph S. Cabot. 



To the Hon. Benj. V. French, Cheever Newhall, Esq., and Hon. Joseph S. Cabot, 

 Committee. 



Boston, May lOiii, 1849. Gentlemen : The splendid testimonial which accompanied 

 your esteemed favor of the lOih instant, has been received, — also a copy of the Resolu- 

 tions passed hy the Massachusetts Horticultural Society on the occasion of my retiring 

 from its Presidency. 



I accept of this rich and beautiful gift with lively emotions of gratitude; not for its in- 

 trinsic value, but as an enduring memorial of the confidence and respect so uniformly 

 extended to me during the many years of my administration. 



I gratefully acknowledge the kind manner with which you have performed the duty 

 assigned to the committee. Permit me also to tender through you, to the members of 

 the society, my sincere thanks for this substantial manifestation of their ajiprobation, 

 and to assure them, that I shall ever regard it as a lasting record of relations, which to 

 me, have been both pleasant and honoiable. 



'i"he high appreciation of my humble services, which you have caused to be inscribed 

 on the brigiit tablet of this elegant present, will excite renewed interest for the welfare 

 and fame of our noble institution ; and I doubt not, that long alter we have passed from 

 this earthly scene, it will be preserved by my descendants, as a valuable memento of a 



