1893.] ESSAYS. 89 



ble. There are unfortunately many people who have the opportunity 

 but lack the necessary incentive to ornament their grounds ; in whom 

 a genuine love of the natural beauties of the world does not exist, or 

 is not developed sufficiently to encourage them to become participants 

 in this good work. 



Too many omit to plant trees, who could perfectly well do so, 

 because of the old excuse that they grow so slowly and will not bene- 

 fit the planter. Such a man should recall the grateful shade of many 

 a tine tree, planted in his own or a former generation, which he has 

 been privileged to enjoy. Let that, combined with many a charming 

 landscape picture, seen through a frame of foliage planted by another 

 — perchance an ancestor — stimulate him to go and do likewise. Will 

 he not recognize that, as he reaps benefits from those who have 

 planted before him, so he ought in his turn to plant for those who 

 come after? 



Several old works upon this subject, as well as later ones, have in- 

 terested me ; and one writer in 1796, who was well acquainted, we 

 are told, with still earlier writers back to 16G4, cautions his readers 

 in the strongest terms against a "want of spirit" in planting. He 

 says that all who undertake planting must have "industry, spirit, and 

 perserverance to go through with what they undertake ; and we recom- 

 mend to such as are possessed of these valuable qualifications to begin 

 upon a small scale, and to let their seminaries, their nurseries, and 

 their plantations increase with their experience." 



He further says, "While, however, we caution our readers against 

 entering immaturely upon the business of planting, we cannot refrain 

 from mentioning the pleasure which results from it. How rational, 

 and to a contemplative mind how delightful, to observe the opera- 

 tion of Nature ; — to trace her in every stage, from the seed to the 

 perfected plant ; and, from beneath the leaf stalk of this, through the 

 flower bud, the flower, and the seed-vessel, to the seed again ! Man 

 must be employed ; and how more agreeably than in conversing with 

 Nature, and in seeing the works of his own hands, assisted by her, 

 rising into perfection — " so as to grow as he grows, to bear him com- 

 pany and afford him grateful shade when he shall most need it in 

 advancing years, and when life is ended to be left behind as a most 

 beautiful memorial. 



I am going to speak of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 

 located at Boston, and, as it is for the benefit of the whole State, I 

 can, as one of its Vice-Presidents, exhibit no egotism if I do so 

 in words of praise. By opening our halls as we do at the dif- 



