10 TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



appreciating the beautiful objects of creation. It is to be regretted, that 

 this inherent love for natural beauty and innocent pleasure should ever be 

 eradicated from the mind ; but, while the gross pleasures of life are in- 

 dulged in, or the mind absorbed at the shrine of IMammon, although Eden's 

 beauties are everywhere displayed in rich profusion they will be neglected 

 or despised. The love of flowers, if cherished in early and mature life, 

 will most assuredly bring increased delight and pleasure in old age. 



Every thoughtful mind must associate flowers with the benevolence of 

 God. "Why create them with their wonderful variety of shape, size, color, 

 or fragrance, succeeding and rivaling each other in beauty as the season 

 advances, unless for the gratification of the beholder? Why should they 

 be endowed with such a propensity to depart from their native, simple, and 

 uniform habits when brought under the care and skill of the cultivator, 

 and sport in endless varieties and combinations of beauty, unless to attract 

 the attention and invite the care of man ? The cultivation and love of 

 flowers must have a salutary influence upon the mind. By bringing it in 

 contact with that part of creation which Wilberforce has appropriately de- 

 nominated the "smiles of God," the lover of nature will "look through 

 nature up to nature's God," and behold the great Author condescending, 

 even in the humble flower, to open a large field of enjoyment to his un- 

 worthy creatures. 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society has done much to stimulate 

 and encourage a taste for Horticulture within the last three years. The 

 members of the Society have, from week to week, been exhibiting flowers 

 new and rare. They presented to the admiring public such combinations 

 of beauty as have not been witnessed before in this part of the country. 

 The moral efiect upon the minds of the spectators must have been highly 

 salutary and improving. Those who have contributed to these rich 

 displays would feel themselves amply compensated, could they see how 

 universally a growing taste is pervading society in consequence of 

 the exhibitions of beautiful flowers at the Horticultural Hall, flowers 

 which, perhaps, had never been seen or heard of until they were seen 

 there. 



It cannot be expected that a detailed account will be given of all the 

 new varieties of flowers that have been exhibited during the last few 

 years; this would occupy quite a respectable sized volume. A glance 

 only can be given at some of the most prominent objects. 



The Rose has often been denominated the " Queen of flowers," and, con- 

 sidering all its properties, perhaps, merits that honor. Surely no class of 

 flowers is more universally admired. Most of the members of the Society 

 can remember the time when six or ten varieties of Roses were all that 

 were cultivated or known, and even in these the time of flowering was 

 limited to the month of June. What a change they have witnessed ! They 



