140 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1891. 



out giving an idea of the methods and aids used in producing 

 them? Shall we not take pains to exhibit, in some way, the 

 power of our modern inventions and their application to horti- 

 culture? 



We are not disposed to discuss the political side of horticul- 

 ture, if it has one ; but we fail to see that any benefit will 

 accrue to horticulture when bills are passed which exact duties 

 upon plants, bulbs or seeds of any kind. If we cross to the 

 other side of the Atlantic and purchase a few plants, must our 

 trunks be seized and our smuggled flower-germs be held for 

 duty ? America can afford to be more generous to her citizens 

 than to let any country within her boundaries demand pay for 

 the importation of a rare flower. 



A question now of moment to the horticulturist, is that con- 

 cerning the protection of the original growers of new varieties 

 of plants. Legislation upon this subject might result in practi- 

 cal benefits. As every man has a right to have his own inven- 

 tion patented, so, it would seem, one who has spent months in 

 studying the development of some new tint or form in a flower, 

 and in oriainating ideas which should culminate in that new 

 flower-creation, has a privilege to ask for protection in his rights. 

 In this way, more thought might be directed and from the 

 encouragement obtained, more zest imparted, to the studies 

 required in order to attain to perfection in the horticultural 

 art. 



In this recent civilization of ours, we have overlooked, per- 

 haps, the fact that it is to the horticulturist that we are inde])ted 

 for much that beautifies the home, and refines and elevates the 

 character. The United States lavishly use the flowers ; some 

 maintain that flowers are used foi' more purposes and in greater 

 profusion than is known elsewhere. However that may be, the 

 fact is true that the home influence of America has been exerted 

 unreservedly for horticulture, in its commercial interests ; and 

 following in the footsteps of the adventurous Genoese, in his 

 admiration of flower or tree, we send back to the Old World 

 the messages of beauty which are borne in to our souls from 

 the petals of the flower, or from the leaves of vine or shrub. 



