8Q MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



where full, vigorous buds are developed, a new head will soon 

 crown the tree. 



Josiah Newhall said that in his mind there were many associa- 

 tions connected with the old tree. Long years ago there met under 

 it some of the men who fought some of the hardest battles of the 

 revolution, and there the subject of a monument on Bunker Hill 

 was discussed. There he (Gen. Newhall) commanded one of the 

 finest regiments in the state, which was reviewed by Gen. La- 

 fayette. He hoped we might have some memento of the old tree. 



Rev. A. B. Muzzey said that the loss of this old tree comes very 

 near to our hearts, as it touches our patriotism, and we should con- 

 sider, as a Society, whether we can do anything to preserve the 

 lives of such trees. The "Washington Elm, at Cambridge, lost a 

 large limb some years ago, and though it has sent out new shoots 

 its life is quite precarious. This tree is worth a great deal more 

 than the old elm on the common, for here "Washington first drew 

 his sword as commander in chief of the revolutionarj'^ army. Mr. 

 Muzzey said that he secured a portion of the broken limb, which 

 he regarded as among his most precious treasures. A few years 

 ago fears were entertained that the tree was near its end, and he 

 asked whether any one could do anything to extend the term of 

 its life. 



Mr. Hovey did not agree with Dr. Waters in regard to lopping 

 off large limbs, to resuscitate an old tree. Artificial culture re- 

 quires the use of the knife, but it is a question whether all pruning 

 does not shorten the life of the tree. 



The President had requested him to say something of the azalea, 

 of which we had many fine specimens exhibited. He called atten- 

 tion to a seedling of his own, a hybrid between Azalea amoena and 

 A. indica, of very dwarf habit, resembling A. amoena in that res- 

 pect. His object was to get a plant with the habit of A. amoena, 

 and flowers as large and finely striped as those of A. ludica. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Saturday, February 26, 1876. 



Rev. A. B. Muzzey, of the Committee on Publication and Dis- 

 cussion presiding. 



