308 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The object of the foundei's of the Society was also theirs, viz. : 

 to stimulate the love of flowers among the people b}' cultivation, 

 to increase that love, and to disseminate throughout the land the 

 humanizing influences that surely follow the raising of flowers by 

 lovers of flowers. 



The work of the florist, as a money-making pursuit had little 

 weight in their deliberations. We all appreciate the strides which 

 have been noticed, as the result of his skill and industry. What 

 Roses ! what Asters ! what superb Chrysanthemums ! have, dur- 

 ing the past year, been exhibited in these Rooms as the result of 

 intelligent labor in hybridizing and otherwise obtaining new and 

 improved varieties. 



Regretfull}^ we admit that all florists are not lovers of flowers in 

 the best sense. Were the}', our boasted civilization would not be 

 disgraced by the atrocities shown on great occasions, in designs 

 of trade implements, or pet animals, in all of which flowers are 

 used. With this side of flower raising your Committee had abso- 

 lutely nothing to do. Upon them rested the burden of leading the 

 young of both sexes to the knowledge of what can be enjoyed 

 when cultivating one simple plant. 



To them was also intrusted the responsibility of influencing 

 those children to desire beauty in their possibly desolate homes, 

 and, having created the desire, to foster it, to encourage the 

 development of an invisible sentiment, by watching the growth of 

 a visible object, knowing full well that when the mind of a child is 

 directed into sweet, wise, and useful paths, there will be little 

 time and less temptation to stray into unwise, unpleasant, and 

 injurious paths. All this your Committee felt, and therefore as 

 they bent to their task the}' were not cast down at the obstacles 

 presented. 



How should the army of children be met? Naturally in schools. 

 The wise regulations ©f the Public Schools compelled us to seek 

 the influence of Sunday School teachers. When such as could 

 compass the idea and its possibilities gave time, it was always of 

 service. 



Following the published plan of the Flower Committee, prizes 

 were offered for certain plants easily grown by adults. You see 

 we lost sight at once of the fact that children are not adults. To 

 compel little children to ride three or four miles and be absent 



