174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



response would be given should the Society continue to offer 

 prizes for essays. 



It will doubtless often happen that papers will be accepted 

 which may not contain new or original ideas, but which are yet 

 practical and useful. And again, essays may be received which 

 may advance theories from which there would be a general dis- 

 sent. An important object with us is to awaken interest and lead 

 to thoughtful experiment The fact that an essay receives a prize 

 does not commit the Society to any theories which may be ad- 

 vanced therein, or to any opinions of individual members uttered 

 in discussion. But it is deemed advisable to publish anything 

 that is suggestive or that is likely to lead to investigation. Our 

 exhibitions of horticultural products, however excellent, impart 

 no information as to the methods of growing them. It is true 

 that our cultivators are generally ready to give such knowledge to 

 those who may have the good fortune to be acquainted with them, 

 but this means of diffusing information is necessarily of limited 

 extent. Essays and discussions, on the contrary, when published 

 in the Transactions of the Society may be read by every member 

 and by horticulturists everywhere. In this way we may bring to 

 light the knowledge and experience of our members and exert an 

 influence which shall be wide-spread and permanent. 



The Committee have made the following awards : 



For the best Essay upon Grape Culture in gardens and 

 on buildings, with a list of varieties best adapted to 

 such purposes, to W. N. Barnett, of West Haven, 

 Conn., the prize of . . , . - . . $25 00 



For the best Essay upon the Culture of the Cauliflower 

 and other vegetables of the Cabbage family {Bras- 

 sica oleracea), to William N. White, the prize of . 25 00 



For the best Essay upon the principles of Landscape 

 Gardening, as applied to small suburban estates, to 

 Daniel D. Slade, the prize of 25 00 



To James Cruickshanks, for a paper on Landscape Gar- 

 dening, a gratuity of . . . . . . 15 00 



For the Committee, 



WILLIAM C. STRONG, 



Chairman. 



