G6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



which I sincerely hope your organization will foster in every possible 

 way. 



With the best of financial backing the Massachusetts Horti- 

 cultural Society has an unusual obligation. It has been given 

 many talents and much will be expected. May I suggest too that 

 in your campaign for horticultural improvement that you place 

 increasing emphasis on the practical everyday side of the matter. 

 The millionaire horticulturist is not to be ignored, but after all he 

 is able to take care of himself and the real educational and most 

 valuable work to mankind of this association can be through 

 encouragement of the man who is not so rich in this world's goods 

 and who must depend on the profits of his daily toil for a living. 

 If advisable, I would like to see this extension work go back into the 

 homes of the hill towns in the central and even western portions of 

 the state. Your society carries the name of the state and I believe 

 the policy in the past has been to restrict activities to eastern sec- 

 tions. It is not for me to object to such a policy and I only want to 

 remind you that there is worlds of work out in these sections of the 

 state waiting to be done. Were such a campaign decided upon I 

 would be very glad to go into specific details associated therewith. 

 Following the report of the country life commission, Ex-President 

 Roosevelt said: "There are three main directions in which farmers 

 can help themselves: Better farming, better business, and better 

 living on the farm." Anything which this organization can do to 

 promote such progress will be much to its credit. In so far as you 

 sense your responsibilities and help humanity to help itself, so far 

 will you prosper. The home is the basis of all progress and if you 

 can reach it you reach a mighty factor of the nation's prosperity. 

 By thus bringing success to the people you inevitably bring success 

 to your own organization. Combining your efforts with those of 

 other organizations, colleges, schools, individuals, and modifying 

 agencies, is there any doubt about a redirected education; about a 

 greater New England; or about the new agriculture; with partic- 

 ular significance to each and every New England state. 



