232 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Horticulture in the United States, which forms the introductory 

 chapter, suggested a general examination into the authorities 

 quoted, which has resulted in the addition of much new and in- 

 teresting matter, and the re-arrangement, to a great extent, of 

 that previously collected. It was believed that when this intro- 

 ductory chapter was completed much more rapid progress would 

 be made, and this expectation was realized so fiir as regards the 

 first chapter, on the organization and early history of the Society ; * 

 but on coming to the next two chapters, which relate to the foun- 

 dation of the Mount Auburn Garden and Cemetery, and their 

 history while connected with the Society, it was found that omis- 

 sions, additions, and re-arrangements might advantageously be 

 made, which have resulted in re-writing a great part of these 

 chapters. 



The interruptions arising from the Saturday exhibitions making 

 the writing of a historical work difficult on that day, I have, at the 

 suggestion of the Librarian, busied myself in writing, upon e'ach 

 plate in the lately purchased copy of the " Florae Danicse," the 

 name of the plant there represented, which when completed, will 

 save the trouble of referring to the catalogue prefixed to each 

 volume, and greatly increase the value of this magnificent work. 

 A part of my Saturday's labors has also been the preparation, 

 when the Chairmen of the various Committees, whose duty it is 

 according to the By-Laws, did not find time for it, of a report of 

 each exhibition, for publication in the " Evening Transcript." 



Another matter which hns occupied much time is the examina- 

 tion of specimens of fruit brought to the hall to be named, which 

 in the absence of the Fruit Committee have been turned over to 

 me. The greater part of the specimens which have been identified 

 have been found among the comparatively small number of varie- 

 ties now in cultivation, but occasionally others, survivors of the 

 large collections of former times, which are seldom seen, have 

 been presented, and have necessitated reference to the pomological 

 books in the library for their identification. One of the earliest 

 and most constant objects of the Society has been the establish- 

 ment of a correct nomenclature of fruits, and I have thought it 

 worth while to give a careful examination to all specimens pre- 

 sented for name, and to investigate the names of the less common 

 kinds, that they might not be wholly forgotten. It cannot be 

 denied that there is much satisfaction in knowing certainly the 



