O MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



form of horticultural merit according to its nature and degree. It 

 cannot be too deeply felt that in the establishment of prizes and 

 their distribution, a task is assigned us, more and more difficult 

 arid more and more responsible. 



American horticulture labors no doubt under some disadvantages. 

 It shares the tendency which belongs to all our democratic civil- 

 ization to diffuse itself widely without rising very high. It is for 

 us to strive by every means to break that barren routine.and repe- 

 tition into which it is so much inclined to fall ; to wean the culti- 

 vator from beaten tracks and teach him that eminence in special 

 cultures, and not a feeble mediocrity in all, is the best condition 

 of his enjoyment and his success. Nor will this tend to narrow 

 him ; for he who has mastered completely one branch of cultiva- 

 tion, has gained the knowledge and the skill to master all the rest. 



Above all, let it be remembered that ours is a position of re- 

 sponsibility. Those who endowed us, and those who labored for 

 us in the past, have left us a trust to administer. Ours is a mis- 

 sion, not narrow and personal, but generous and broad. The 

 public has claims upon us, and let us answer them in full. 



One regret mingles with the feelings with which I address 5'^ou. 

 It would have been better for us all if the honored citizen and 

 bountiful friend of the society, whom you first chose as your presi- 

 dent, were standing to-day in my place. But the engrossing cares 

 of a crowded life forbade Mr. Hunnewell to accept a position, 

 which, grateful and honorable as it is, is not without its perplexi- 

 ties. As for me, while lamenting with you our common loss, I 

 can only say that what strength I have will be employed with a 

 single view to the interests of the society, and the art of which it 

 is the exponent and the patron. 



Voted, That the thanks of the Society be presented to William 

 C. Strong for valuable services rendered during his administration ; 

 and that a committee of three be appointed to procure and present 

 to Mr. Strong a suitable testimonial. 



The chair appointed Marshall P. Wilder, Edward S. Rand, Jr. 

 and Charles O. Whitmore, as that committee. 



Marshall P. Wilder, from the committee to confer with H. Weld 

 Fuller, in regard to his resignation of the chairmanship of the 

 Committee on Ornamental Gardening, reported that other engage- 

 ments would prevent him from continuing in that position. 



