266 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the markets of the city ; and in distant States might 

 be seen fruits and flowers whose existence could be 

 traced to the influence of the Massachusetts Horticul- 

 tural Society. And it should be remembered that this 

 improvement was effected with far less inducement in 

 the form of premiums and gratuities than is offered 

 now. Although the premium list was gradually in- 

 creased, it amounted in 1844 to only $460, the Fruit 

 and Flower Committee having at their disposal $200 

 each, and the Vegetable Committee $60. 



It was during this period that ocean steam navi- 

 gation was established, giving a powerful impetus to 

 horticulture both in this country and in Europe, by 

 the opportunity which it afforded for the interchange 

 and concentration of the fruits and flowers of every 

 climate, many of which found a place in the orchards, 

 gardens, and conservatories of New England. The 

 fruit growers of our day have but a faint idea of the 

 vast amount of time, care, labor, and money, spent in 

 making the collections from which has been obtained 

 the information as to the most desirable varieties for 

 cultivation, which is now so easily accessible to any one 

 who would plant an orchard or a garden. Enterprising 

 pomologists collected every variety that could be found 

 in the extensive catalogues of European nurseries, or 

 discovered in our own country, and that could be sup- 

 posed desirable. Some of these fruits proved all that 

 was expected; while many, from change of climate or 

 other causes, proved indifferent or worthless. A selec- 

 tion of such as would be most esteemed for a succession 

 through their respective seasons was the great deside- 

 ratum. To effect the herculean task of making such 

 a selection, it was necessary that hundreds of varieties 



