PRESIDENT HOYEY'S DEDICATION ADDRESS. 175 



of the history of the Society, which, said the speaker, 

 " is the history of horticulture in our country," and 

 after mention of the progress of horticulture in Eng- 

 land, the formation of the London Horticultural Soci- 

 ety, and the introduction of American plants, con- 

 cluded thus : 



" If, through a period of more than thirty years, you have, by 

 your devotion to the great purposes of the Society, followed it 

 from place to place, cheered and encouraged by its onward prog- 

 ress, until it has reached the elevated position it now holds, 

 how great must be your delight, and what deep emotions of grati- 

 tude must spring up in your hearts, that you have found a perma- 

 nent home ! In the contemplation of the past, as well as in the 

 anticipations of the future, how much there is to awaken in us 

 renewed feelings of joy, exultation, and pride, not in a vain or 

 arrogant spirit, but humbly thankful, that, through the course of 

 so many years, unvarying success should have attended your labors, 

 harmonious action governed your deliberations, and a judicious 

 administration of your affairs enabled you to erect this costly and 

 beautiful edifice ! 



" But let not this prosperity decrease your ardor, or lessen your 

 labors in your favorite pursuit. Rather let it rekindle and fire 

 3 r our zeal for new conquests. Your duties and responsibilities 

 have increased with your growth. If you have pulled down, that 

 you might build greater, if you have grasped the prize of a life- 

 long ambition, let not this result satisfy you. If you are the 

 possessor of a garden filled with beautiful trees or shrubs, to which 

 you may retire from the turmoil of the crowded city, and among 

 whose sylvan shades you take your daily walk, making them your 

 companions and friends, come hither often with branch, or flower, 

 or berry, to inspire the same delight in others. Or, if you are 

 only the owner of a little spot of ground filled with the choicest 

 flowers, whose constant nurture has occupied the moments snatched 

 from life's busy scenes, and whose opening blossoms are daily 

 eloquent with lessons of grace and loveliness, do not refuse to 

 offer them here as tokens of your affection, and triumphs of your 

 art. And, if neither tree nor flower nor fruit can yet claim your 

 care, will not the recollection of youth's golden hours, when gath- 



