58 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



motion of skilful and scientific horticulture, established in Boston, 

 would greatly subserve the interests of the community, as well as 

 furnish avenues to laudable distinction, and pure and praiseworthy 

 enjoyment to the members of such an institution. A number of 

 persons associated for a desirable object may furnish an aggregate 

 of mind and means, which is much more effective for beneficial 

 purposes than would be the isolated efforts of the same individuals. 

 A Horticultural Societj- might introduce new and useful plants 

 from various quarters of the globe ; import valuable and expensive 

 publications, as well as form a repository for new and useful imple- 

 ments, which would be beyond the powers of more numerous and 

 wealthy persons to accomplish without acting in concert." 



The proposed horticultural society did not fail of 

 becoming a reality, for the idea was a practical one ; the 

 institution had been needed for several years ; such asso- 

 ciations had been eminently successful in this and other 

 countries ; and the idea had become popular in Boston 

 and the neighborhood by occasional hints in the periodi- 

 cals of the day on the subject, by the conversation of 

 eminent horticulturists, and especially by the example 

 of successful agricultural societies. 



We are not surprised, therefore, to learn, that in 

 about six weeks from the time the above article ap- 

 peared in the Farmer, agreeably to a request, published 

 in the same paper of February 20, to such gentlemen 

 as felt favorably disposed toward the institution of a 

 horticultural society, to meet at the insurance office of 

 Zebedee Cook, jun., on Tuesday, the 24th, at noon, 

 for the purpose of taking measures preliminary thereto, 

 similar printed requests being also addressed directly 

 to gentlemen interested in horticulture, a meeting of 

 sixteen gentlemen, the first public one of the kind, 

 convened at the time and place mentioned, although the 

 day was bitterly cold, and a remarkable snow-storm had 



