340 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



for oruameut, aud otherwise. Second, a museum of liviug speci- 

 mens of all ligneous plants that will stand the climate at West 

 Roxburv, planted and arranged in botanical order. Third, a 

 museum for reference, containing a dried collection of all ligneous 

 plants, properly labelled with the time of flowering, native location, 

 and, if foreign, the country where they are indigenous ; also a full 

 collection of specimens of wood, bark, fruit, seeds, etc. Fourth, 

 a library containing all the best works on Dendrology, for the 

 use of students or others interested in the science of tree culture. 



In closing this somewhat lengthy yet inadequate account of our 

 visit to the Arboretum, we must not omit to say that its success is 

 due to the untiring and indefatigable labors of the Director, 

 Professor Charles 8. Sargent, whose large correspondence, and 

 thorough knowledge of all that pertains to the duties of his office, 

 have already given to the horticultural world one of the grandest 

 educational institutions this generation has been blessed with. 

 We sincerely hope he may be as successful in the future as he has 

 been in the past, in the introduction of so many of the most beau- 

 tiful trees and shrubs to adorn our parks and gardens. We desire 

 also to acknowledge the courtesy and kind attention of Mr. 

 Jackson Dawson, the gardener at the Arboretum, who so gener- 

 ously gave us his time aud valuable information which has enabled 

 us to make this report. 



The Committee award to Mr. Dawson a gratuity of $20 for 

 skilful propagation and culture of hardy trees and shrubs. 



Boston Asylum and Farm School. 

 The last visit of the season was to the Boston Asylum and 

 Farm School for Indigent Boys, at Thompson's Island. The 

 products of the Farm were seen at our Annual Exhibition, in the 

 Vegetable department, to which it contributed many choice and 

 well grown specimens. While it has not much to call attention to 

 in a strictly horticultural way, we are glad to know and to speak 

 of the value of this institution, its objects being to relieve and to 

 instruct and employ indigent boys; — the education and refor- 

 mation of boys who, from loss of parents or other causes, are 

 exposed to extraordinary' temptations aud are very liable to 

 become vicious and dangerous or useless meml)ers of society. 



