NOTES AND MEMORIES OF OUR EARLY HORTICULTURE. 21 



I am glad to note that one volume of the elder Mr. Manning's 

 donation was entitled " New Improvements of Planting and Gar- 

 ing, both PhilosopJiical and Practical." See we well to it that, as 

 a Society, our PhUosophy and our Science keep steady pace with 

 our practice. 



The Library, rich with treasures of horticultural lore, and with 

 rare and costly plates and other illustrations of extraordinary 

 value, has, at present, one deplorable drawback in its insufficient 

 shelf accommodation. For this a remedy ought to be found, and 

 that speedily. 



Looking back through the long span of years we have passed 

 over, we see proofs of a steady progress in the work of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Baffled for moments here 

 and there by obstacles in its way, who can doubt that, having 

 achieved such triumphs in the past, it is destined to go forward 

 with an ever-advancing energy, diffusing a taste for the culture of 

 fruit and flower, inspiring new generations with ever fresh pur- 

 poses, overcoming difficulties, and awakening new zeal, animated 

 by high motives, and pressing on with determined spirit — a 

 higher influence raying down on its best efforts, and assuring its 

 ultimate success. 



" O painter of the fruits and flowers 1 



We thank thee for thy wise design 

 Whereby these human hands of ours 



In Nature's garden work with thine. 



And thanks that from our daily need, 



The joy of simple faith is born 

 That he who smites the summer weed 



May trust thee for the autumn corn. ' 



Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; 



Let fortune's bubbles rise and fall ; 

 Who sows a field, or trains a flower, 



Or plants a tree, is more than all." 



Discussion. 



O. B. Hadwen said that all present had been delighted with Mr. 

 Muzzey's essa}', carrying us back, as it did, more than sixty years, 

 and giving reminiscences not only of fruits and flowers, but of the 

 formation and pruniiueut members of the Societ}'. The speaker 



