1887.] TRANSACTIONS. 9 



it sell ? is its greeting to him who would introduce, or cultivate, 

 new varieties of flower or fruit. The shop has sliglit respect 

 for flavor — per se : its utter lack is not a disqualification, if the 

 specimens are salable otherwise. And so the professional florist 

 cuts for the market, as it presents itself to him, or he finds it; 

 contenting himself with the jingle of shekels in his pocket, and 

 calmly indifferent, the while, to the raptures over that beauty and 

 perfume wherewith the eye and soul of the Amateur are charmed 

 to ecstacy. Likewise with him whose chief aim is to make mer- 

 chandise of his fruit. The Bartlett and Seckel have fought their 

 own way to recognition. But with him, the Boussoc or Clairgeau 

 supply a demand that could never be appeased by the Comice or 

 Winter Nelis. His business is to get a livelihood ! and not ! to 

 " encourage the Science or promote the Practice of Horticulture." 

 On the other hand, it is our professed purpose to develop and 

 improve the popular taste. Should it not be our set aim then in 

 every official act? The florist, as such, cannot be expected to deny 

 himself profit ; or to withhold his first and choicest floriage, that 

 this or that Horticultural Exhibition may show points of pre- 

 eminence. The hard-working orchardist — if he follows general 

 farming, must realize a speedy income from his trees ; and finds 

 neither leisure nor inclination amid his other engrossing occupa- 

 tions, to sow, engraft, or to purchase and plant out the more 

 promising novelties. So that it reverts, after all, to amateur 

 horticulture that there may be hope and promise for the future. 

 The amateur is willing to wait for his recompense. Too often 

 alas he must go without it; his toil and patience returning only 

 disappointment and blighted fruition. It rests with him, however, 

 to try and try again ; assured as he is, by his own long experi- 

 ence, and the test of others, that the cloud has a silver lining, and 

 that there can be no loss to the patient waiter. This philosophy 

 should become the wisdom of our Society, inspiring its counsels 

 and directing its policy. So shall it continue to be, what it was 

 intended from the first, and so far has approved itself ; an honor 

 to its founders and a blessing to the community wherein it 

 exists. 



The Twenty-first Session of the American Pomological Soci- 

 ety was held in Boston, this year, according to appointment. It 



