172 MASSACHUSETTS llORTICCTLTURAL SOCIETY. 



we enroll tlioui upon tlio scroll of nol)le names th;it Imve •' gone 

 over to. the majority." 



In all respects the past year has been auspicious. The exhibi- 

 tions have been kept up with interest, and, in some respects, have 

 been superior to any previous year. I refer you to the reports of 

 the various committees for full particulars as indicating steady and 

 decided progress. 



The open-air exhibition of Rhododendrons and Azaleas, con- 

 ceived and carried out by the liberality of our esteemed member, 

 H. H. Hnnnewell, Esq., with the assistance of other gentlemen of 

 the Society, is worthy of special notice. No attempt had ever 

 before been made in tijis country to bring together a large collec- 

 tion of specimens, planting them in beds and borders, and group- 

 ing them with reference to landscape effect. This was a first ex- 

 periment. Yet the plan was so cleaily conceived and so distinct, 

 the preparations so extensive, tlie skill and taste displaA'cd in giv- 

 ing a natural and spacious effect for the most perfect individual 

 specimens, together with a wealth and profusion of colors in 

 masses, that it was to be expected the public would appreciate it 

 as a surprising success. As a collection of superb specimens, i*; 

 was, be^'ond question, the best ever seen in this country. As a 

 worif of art, in arrangements and groupings, it will serve as a new 

 example and a suggestive model. Undoubtedl}^ it will greatly 

 stimulate the culture of this most effective class of plants. The 

 financial success of this exhibition is another proof that superior 

 excellence will receive public siipj)ort. The certainty that, by in- 

 creased excellence and extent in our exhibitions, we can exercise 

 a direct and powerful infhience upon the public taste, should stimu- 

 late us to constant effort. Indirectly, yet certainly and speedily, 

 this influence tells upon the character, the stability, taste, morals — 

 yes, even upon tlie religion — of a people. We should regard the 

 Society as, in no mean sense, an educator of the people. 



Another not less prominent event of the j'car was the reception 

 of the American Tomological Societj', at its quarter-centennial cele- 

 bration, and the exhibitions connected therewith. We are war- 

 ranted in saying that the event fully equalled our high expectations. 

 The nunibcr of distinguished gentlemen from all parts of our 

 country, and from the Dominion of Canada, was large. The jointi 

 exhibitions of the Convention and of our Society were rciiarded as 

 excellent, and were well supported by the public. Our distinct 



