80 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



names which had a world-wide celebrity among pomologists, one 

 of which we cherish as with us today, and the other is now taken 

 from us. Mr. Downing had rare fitness for the special work to 

 which he gave his life. He was not a public man, and rarely raised 

 liis voice, even in gatherings of pomologists and horticulturists. 

 The vast amount of knowledge accumulated by him on his special 

 branch of horticulture could not be communicated to any one, and 

 we cannot but asiv what becomes of such stores of information? 

 for it is not to be supposed that it perishes with the mortal life of 

 one who has acquired it. We should feel grateful for the example 

 and benefit of such a life, and live in confidence of meeting 

 again. 



Joseph H. Bourn spoke of meeting Mr. Downing at the ses- 

 sions of the American Poraological Society, where the heart and 

 hand of every one was opened to him. His life was spent in com- 

 muning with the beauties of nature, and all will honor him as the 

 leader in American pomology. 



President Moore said that he had not the pleasure of an inti- 

 mate acquaintance with Mr. Downing, but, from what he knew of 

 him, regarded him as a particularly unselfish and conscientious 

 man. 



The resolutions were unanimously adopted. 



Mr. Wilder then presented a painting which Mr. Downing had 

 directed to be sent to him for the Societ3-, the following letter 

 being read : — 



Newbukg, N.Y., April 27, 1880. 

 My dear Friend Mr. Wilder : — 



The fruit painting which I have requested to be sent to the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society after my death it may be of 

 some interest to them to know how it was obtained. After the 

 Annual Exhibition of the Newburg Bay Horticultural Society in 

 1862, Mr. Charles Tice (a self-taught artist of this city) requested 

 specimens of fruit to make a painting, which was readil}' granted, 

 and after being executed it was purchased by the Society. 



The following season it was offered as a prize for the best gen- 

 eral collection of fruits, which it was ni}- fortune to obtain. 



CHARLES DOWNING. 



It was Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to 

 William Wait, the executor of Mr. Downing's will, for his kind- 



