PRESIDENT'S ADDEESS. 



Members of the Massachusetts Ilorticultural Society : 



As was known to some of you, it was not my desire or purpose 

 to hold the office of president for the coming year. Yiekling to 

 the opinion of others, I have to thank j'ou most heartily for the 

 unanimity with which you have assigned to me this position for 

 another, and certainly a final term. It is gratifying and encourag- 

 ing to us all to know that we work in harmony, animated by a 

 common desire to promote the best interests of the Society. 



During the past year, two of our most prominent members have 

 gone to their reward, having filled the measure of long and active 

 lives of usefulness. 



Hon. Joseph Breck joined the Society in 1829, the year of its 

 formation, and from that daj^, until his death in June last, he was a 

 constant and active contributor, — a prominent and working member 

 in every department. For four years, from 1859 to 1862, he held 

 the office of President of the Society. Like the flowers which he 

 cultivated with the life-long devotion of a true love, so will his 

 memory ever be fragrant. 



Prof. John L. Russell was also an early member, and the great 

 learning and ability which he freely gave, well entitled him to be 

 regarded as our highest authority in vegetable physiology. The 

 generous bequest to our Society of his valuable library, which is 

 specially rich in works on Cryptogamic Botany, is a worthy monu- 

 ment to his memory. Appreciative sketches of the character of 

 these esteemed active members have already been presented to 

 you, and now, in grateful remembrance of their bright example, 



