54 INTRODUCTION. 



tries, and the emigrants from the older to the newer States, brought 

 with them a love of horticulture, and, as early as practicable, 

 planted gardens, orchards, and nurseries. During the greater part 

 of this long period, the advancement of horticulture was compara- 

 tively slow, and the enjo} r ment of its choicer productions most 

 even of these being much inferior to those of our own time was 

 confined to the wealthier portion of the inhabitants, the great 

 majority knowing few except seedling fruits ; for the art of grafting 

 was understood by few. But from the beginning of the present 

 century, or earlier, the improvement was more rapid, as is shown 

 by the following remarks with which Mr. Lowell concluded an 

 address before the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agricul- 

 ture in 1824 : 1 "As to horticulture, the field is newly explored. 

 From a barren wilderness, it has become a fertile garden. In my 

 short space of residence in this mutable world, I remember when 

 the Mayduke and the sour Kentish Cherry could alone be seen in 

 our market ; and there is not now a market on earth better sup- 

 plied than ours with eveiy variety of the most delicious cherries. 

 I remember when our strawberries were only gathered from the 

 grass-fields. I recollect the first boxes of cultivated strawberries 

 ever sent to Boston market : they are now in profusion, and of 

 excellent quality, but still susceptible of vast improvement. Who 

 ever heard of an English or Dutch gooseberry or raspberiy at 

 market twenty-five y.ears since? The Geniting, Cattern, Minot, 

 and Iron pears, some of them execrable, were often seen ; but not 

 d single delicious variety was known out of the garden of the rich 

 connoisseur. There never was a more rapid progress in any coun- 

 try than that which we have made in horticulture, and yet there is 

 no one point in which we are so defective : I hope and believe, 

 however, that we shall soon supply this defect." Perhaps Mr. 

 Lowell, in these closing words, had in mind the formation of a soci- 

 ety to supply the defect which he pointed out ; but, however this 

 may have been, we cannot doubt that the increased rapidity in the 

 progress of horticulture led its lovers to consider the best means 

 of its further advancement ; and their views, discussed on various 

 occasions and in various places, ultimately took shape and form in 

 the organization of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



1 Mass. Ag. Repos., Vol. VIII. p. 210. 



