jx?olution of Iborticulture 



doubtless thus exerted in the formation 

 of the Massachusetts Horticultural So- 

 ciety in 1829. This society was preceded 

 by the New York and Pennsylvania So- 

 cieties, and also by two similar ones in 

 Western New York. The early success 

 of these societies was greatly due to the 

 efficiency of the London Horticultural 

 Society, of which some of our distin- 

 guished men were chosen members. 



It is not necessary to enter into the de- 

 tails of the history of the origin of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society, but 

 it should be recognized that, once estab- 

 lished upon a firm basis, its influence 

 had the effect to create other societies of 

 a similar character, especially in the 

 Eastern States. The horticultural spirit 

 thus awakened by these means had the 

 effect to bring together those who were 

 especially interested in matters pertaining 

 to the art, and thereby to promote that 

 interchange of sentiment and diffusion of 

 knowledge which are so essential in all 

 arts and sciences. Previous to these con- 

 140 



