156 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



His interest was in the scientific study of plants ratlier than in 

 their cultivation, and his life was too busy to permit him to take 

 an active part in our deliberations. Nevertheless his name on the 

 roll of our members was a benefit and an honor to us ; his advice 

 was often sought and freely given with regard to the formation of 

 our library ; and indirectly he did much to promote the ends for 

 which such societies as ours exist. His lectures at Harvard College 

 firat aroused an interest in plants in man\' young men now promi- 

 nent among us. His position for more than thirt}' years at the 

 head of the Botanical Garden, in Cambridge, enabled him to 

 introduce to his friends and correspondents many new or little 

 known plants. His more purely scientific writings have been of 

 great utility to all serious students of plants, and his books for 

 the general public have increased to an inestimable degree that 

 popular love for flowers which is the inspiration of horticui ural 

 progress. Botanist and not horticulturist though he was, it is 

 hard to estimate how much lower would be today the standard of 

 horticulture in America had Asa Gray never lived. 



The respect his fellow members felt for his scientific attain- 

 ments and his world-wide fame, was equalled by their admiration 

 for his industrious, honorable, unselfish life ; while his genial 

 mauuer, his readiness in help or counsel, and his amiable nature, 

 awoke a deep and lasting affection in those of us who were fortu- 

 nate enougli to be brought in close contact with him. So long as 

 his associates live Asa Gray will be remembered with love and 

 reverence, and so long as the Horticultural Society exists, his 

 connection with it and his influence upon its welfare will be re- 

 called with gratitude and pride. 



To Mrs. Grav, for forty years her husband's constant companion 

 and sympathetic assistant, and to the other members of his family, 

 the Society tenders its sincere sympathy in their affliction. 



Francis Parkman, ^ 



C. S. Sargent, v Committee. 



H. H. HUNNEWELL. ) 



The memorial was unanimously adopted, and it was voted that 

 it be entered on the records of the Society, and that a copy be 

 transmitted to Mrs. Gray. 



Adjourned to Saturday, March 24. 



