REPORT 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



FOR THE YEAR 1888. 



By GEORGE CRUICKSHANKS, of Fitchburg. 



Early in the year 1829, a few gentlemen in Boston and the 

 surrounding towns who had long considered the desirability of an 

 association among them for the advancement of the science and 

 art of Horticulture, decided to form one. The Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society was organized on the 17th of March of that 

 year. 



The influence of its members soon began to be felt ; so much so 

 that the histor}' of this Society' is now the history- of Horticulture 

 in this country. One of the first movements of importance made 

 by the Society was the purchase of a tract of land in Cambridge 

 and Watertown, which, in due time, was consecrated as the first 

 Rural Cemetery- in this country, — Mount Auburn, that beautiful 

 " garden of tlie dead," where repose the sacred dust of so many 

 of the noble men who were instrumental in securing the place for 

 Christian burial. 



As time passed, the Society increased in influence, gaining 

 strength from year to year. In 1845, it built a hall on School 

 Street for its use ; but soon found that more room was needed, so 

 that in September, 1865, the Societ}' took possession of its 

 present home on Tremont Street, which is truh' a beautiful 

 temple, dedicated to Ceres, Flora, and Pomona, where the Florist 

 and the Fruit and Vegetable Grower may exhibit the choicest 

 products of their skill. In wealth and influence, this Society 



