126 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



president, Charles M. Hovey, read a letter from H. H. 

 Hunnewell, enclosing a mortgage bond of the Illinois 

 Central Railroad Company, bearing interest at seven 

 per cent per annum, for $500, the income of which 

 Mr. Hunnewell desired to be applied in premiums and 

 gratuities for the introduction and cultivation of new 

 evergreen trees and shrubs, and particularly new va- 

 rieties of hardy rhododendrons. The thanks of the 

 Society were tendered to Mr. Hunnewell for this token 

 of his interest in its welfare and usefulness, and it was 

 voted that the gift should be called the " Hunnewell 

 Fund." 



The next donation was from the same gentleman, 

 but little more than a year later, and of much larger 

 amount. It was announced at the meeting of the 2d 

 of July, 1864, and consisted of two United States bonds 

 of $1,000 each. In his letter accompanying it Mr. 

 Hunnewell requested, 



"That it should be kept entirely distinct from all other funds 

 of the Society, for the specific purpose here designated ; viz., that 

 the income shall be allowed to accumulate for periods of two, three, 

 or more years, and distributed from time to time, after sufficient 

 notice, under such regulations as may be deemed expedient, by a 

 committee appointed for that purpose, in one or more prizes, to the 

 owners of estates of not less than three acres in extent, who shall 

 lay out and plant them with the most rare and desirable orna- 

 mental trees and shrubs, in the most tasteful and effective manner, 

 developing the capabilities of the locations in the highest degree, 

 and presenting the most successful examples of science, skill, and 

 taste, as applied to the embellishment of a country residence ; the 

 trees to be under the most thorough cultivation, the grounds in 

 high keeping, and the prizes to apply equally in cases where pro- 

 prietors take professional advice, as well as when acting on their 

 own judgment in their improvements." 



Again, on the 31st of August, 1866, the same liberal 



