56 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and added, " There is more talent in Boston and vicinity 

 for such an association than in any place in the United 

 States." Acting on this hint, Mr. Russell suggested to 

 the numerous visitors to his office the formation of a 

 horticultural society, and it is believed that this was the 

 first formal proposal of such an organization in Massa- 

 chusetts. 



On Friday, the 9th of January, 1829, a communication 

 appeared in the New England Farmer, written two days 

 earlier by a zealous friend 1 of horticulture. As this 

 was the first public proposition for the foundation of a 

 horticultural society in Massachusetts, we give the article 

 in full, as follows : 



" The influence that has been so generally diffused throughout 

 our State, by the institution of Agricultural Societies, is felt and 

 acknowledged to be of immense importance to the interests of the 

 cultivator as well as to the consumers of the surplus produce of 

 his labors. Whatever has a tendency to promote this honorable, 

 and useful, and independent branch of domestic industry, should 

 be fostered and regarded. 



" It is equally gratifying to perceive that there is an excellent 

 horticultural spirit awakened in our community, and which is not 

 confined to the citizens of the metropolis, but pervades most of 

 the neighboring towns and villages. We have witnessed with 

 much pleasure the increasing interest, and ardent efforts of our 

 citizens in this peaceful and healthful employment, and seen its 

 visible effects, not only in the process of cultivation, but in its 

 maturity. Our stalls and fruit-shops have been abundantly sup- 

 plied the past season with better and greater varieties of fine 

 fruits than heretofore. 



4 ' The invalid must be grateful to those who thus administer to 

 his enjoyments. The healthful will not be unmindful of the pleas- 

 ure afforded by the. display of the rich dessert with which his 

 table is crowned. And the public will view with complacent re- 

 gard the attention bestowed upon this branch of the ' American 



1 Zebedee Cook, jun., of Dorchester. 



