NOTES AND MEMORIES OF OUR EARLY HORTICULTURE. 19 



thought it would be well, he said, for the members to unite with 

 discussion the reading of books and journals, and, during their 

 own work in the garden, to add scientific " thought" to " observa- 

 tion." 



About the time of my joining this Society, in 1835, Charles M. 

 Hovey established his horticultural magazine. It was valuable 

 to us of that day, not only for its direct instruction in horticulture, 

 but for the love of Nature its enthusiastic editor steadily inspired. 

 Much was done by it to increase the interest of the community in 

 our Societj'. It drew attention abroad as well as at home to the 

 improved culture of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. In connection 

 with Downing's valuable work on Fruits, it rendered great 

 service, especially in leading to the multiplication of choice varie- 

 ties of fruits, no less than in introducing, from year to year, new 

 and more choice and beautiful flowers. As a pioneer in this work 

 Mr. Hovey deserves great commendation. 



Mr. Fessenden had said, in 1822, " The cultivation of flowers is 

 an appropriate amusement for young ladies." But now this 

 employment began to be regarded as worthy the care of the 

 sterner sex. And, today, what a contrast is seen in the connec- 

 tion of woman with our horticulture. This Society contains many 

 ladies on its roll of members. I recollect well the jo}^ and sur- 

 prise with which we first greeted our sisters at one of the anniver- 

 sarj' dinners of the Society. They do honor to our association by 

 contributing to its most useful purposes. Horticulture is advanced 

 by these joint efforts. She who shared the labors of Adam in 

 the primeval garden early taught and is still teaching us the 

 great duty of cooperation with her own mind and hand in our 

 gardens. We find her successful in securing prizes at our exhibi- 

 tions ; and we listen with pleasure and profit as she leads in our 

 weekly papers and takes part in the discussions. 



We older members can recall the long series of Exhibitions, 

 and bear witness to their constant improvement. The first prizes 

 off'ered by the Society were published in the "New England 

 Farmer," April 28, 1829 ; they were for Fruits, $93 ; for Flowers, 

 $60 ; and for Vegetables, $35. That was, indeed, a day of small 

 things in our horticultural records, although some individuals at 

 that time, on their private grounds, were doing advanced work. 

 Elias Phinney, then Chairman of the Committee on Fruits, a 

 townsman of mine, and, in ever}' relation, a liberal-minded man. 



