12 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



was then voted, with but one dissenting voice, that the President 

 preside. 



Mr. Wilder then read his paper as follows : 



Cultivation of the Azalea Indica, 

 With special Reference to the Production of New Varieties. 



by marshall p. wilder. 



Perhaps in all the works of Providence, there is nothing more 

 distinct in the pi'ocreation of species, than the human race and 

 the vegetable creation. Yet, the same laws which govern animal 

 creation are, in a great measure, applicable to plants. Considering 

 this fact it is remarkable that the hybridization of plants, which 

 places in the hand of man the means of indeflnite improvement 

 and increase, is of so recent a date. We know not what progress 

 China had, in the long period of her existence, made in the art of 

 hybridization, but it is a singular fact, that when it was known 

 that the vegetable as well as the animal creation could be joined 

 in wedlock, and that similar results in each were governed by 

 similar laws, the age of progress in this art was deferred so long, 

 even almost to our own time. 



Much complaint exists among botanists in regard to the hybrid- 

 ization of plants, as causing confusion — breaking up the natural 

 division of plants by crossing the species — but for m}^ own pai't, 

 I think that instead of confusing the labors of the botanist it has 

 been the means of more clearly defining these divisions, and has 

 given to the world thousands upon thousands of plants far more 

 beautiful and useful than the types from which the}' were produced. 



The production of new varieties by the artificial crossing of 

 flowers, by which we can blend the best characteristics of each, 

 affords a source of pleasure and interest to which there are no 

 bounds. Although the art of producing new varieties in this way 

 is of comparatively modern origin, it has now become the acknowl- 

 edged source of improvement, and the best means for the acquisi- 

 tion of new and improved varieties, upon which we are to rely in 

 future for perfection in the vegetable kingdom. This has been my 

 conviction for forty years, and it has influenced me in practising 

 this art. 1 am, therefore, happy to give to the public any infor- 

 mation that I may possess. 



It is only about thirty years since much attention has been given 



