174 MASSACHUSETTS IIOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



Our central position, representing the entire Commonwealth, 

 gives us a i)rominence from Avhich we cannot shrink. Our elegant 

 and spacious halls, and our large wealth, are advantages for which 

 we shall justly be held to a strict account. It is gratifying to 

 know tliat our exhiljitions do maintain a prominence worthy of our 

 position. In our past history we have made them Nature's reve- 

 lation of herself, " without note or comment." And though it is 

 true that, upon the great principles, the revelation is so plain that 

 "he who runs may read," yet it is also true that many minor points 

 may be mistaken, and the full meaning of the major we ma}^ fail 

 to comprehend, unless we make comparison of experiences and 

 bring to a focus all the light of modern discovery. We rely mainly 

 upon the periodical publications, and upon books devoted to 

 our art, for a record of experiences and for suggestive theories. 

 But it obvious that, among such a body of intelligent cultivators 

 as is here gathered, many facts are observed, and experiments are 

 tried, which are of greatest value, and yet which have but a brief 

 and local use, because they are not gathered up. Your combined 

 authority, gentlemen, is better than that of books and periodicals. 

 You go to the very source of knowledge ; you hold daily commun- 

 ings with Nature. It is your duty to bring this knowledge to the 

 common use. As a Society, we ought to publish commentaries 

 upon our exhibitions, showing, e. g. that the great truth of two or 

 three hundred varieties of Pears needs most emphatic qualifications ; 

 that a first premium does not always indicate the greatest excel- 

 lence, and even that the goi'geous effulgence of our Rhododendron 

 Show is not a sign that the gardens of the many are to become 

 equally radiant. 



I have dwelt upon this theme more at length, in this and in pre- 

 vious addresses, because it is a part of our work which we are nat- 

 urally inclined to neglect. A metropolitan society is not as likely 

 to bring its members to frequent consultations, as do neighborhood 

 societies in the sociability of their homes. Our meetings have been 

 held in the daytime, and at hours which men of business begrudge. 

 Many of our members are retiring, and reluctant in bringing out 

 their experiences before large numbers. These, and various other 

 diincultips, meet us, which do not apply to the local societies. But 

 it is equally true that we have counterbalancing advantages. Con- 

 sidering, then, that we have such a wide field, and ample means 

 with which to cultivate it, is it too much to hope that we may, 



