1893.] ESSAYS. 97 



of the Charles river, through the centre of the City, Brookline, 

 Jamaica Plain, the Arboretum, Franklin Park, Dorchester and its bay, 

 South Boston and City-point, to Castle Island so beautifully situated 

 well out in the harbor. 



Add to this the proposed Metropolitan Park system, and I ask 

 what city in the world has finer actual and prospective attractions 

 than your State Capital ? 



If the trees, shrubs and vines are here marked, clearly but incon- 

 spicuously, with both common and botanical names, what valuable 

 instruction will be afforded to the people in their rest and enjoyment ; 

 aud lead up, in either direction, to the more complete object lesson, 

 the Arboretum which is near the centre of this park chain. 



All this tends in the line of advancement, and promotion, of greater 

 interest in, and love for plants, shrubs, and vines ; and an increased 

 appreciation of the delights, and refreshment, that come with a better 

 understanding of nature's possessions. 



It is, in my opinion, the intention, under our Statutes, that our 

 Agricultural Societies should lend all possible aid to secure advances 

 in every phase of useful out-door interests, including the one now 

 before us ; but on other subjects opinions naturally vary as to the order 

 of importance of the many useful branches coming under the head of 

 Agriculture. 



The Statutes show that the word Agriculture is there used in its 

 broadest sense, and that we of the Societies, and their State Board of 

 Agriculture, are intended to follow no special branch, but each, and 

 all, in respectful order and variety. 



We must strive to direct our efforts for the promotion of our Agri- 

 culture (horticulture, farming, &c., &c.) as completely and as thor- 

 oughly, as is possible for the State's benefit as a whole. It has seemed 

 to me, in certain efforts, that I have lately been active in, that, there 

 is wanting an important detail of organization, which would greatly 

 aid in accomplishing better results in agricultural promotion, and that 

 detail is far too little local organization among the members of our 

 Societies in the several cities and towns throughout the State. 



This appears to be a weak point with some of our Societies, whose 

 strength was locally great in days that are past. 



It is true that interests have increased as time has advanced, but 

 such is the very reason why modern methods and requirements in 

 agricultural matters need to be pushed to the front. The require- 

 ments of the foremost knowledge in scientific and practical lines were 



