14 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Agricultural College, and prominent in its support, being at his 

 death one of its Trustees and senior member of its corporation. 

 His broad mind led him also to take an interest in the mechanic 

 arts ; and to the last he was a Trustee of the Massachusetts Insti- 

 tute of Technolog3\ A born commander, he naturally and almost 

 b}' common consent was placed at the head of the associations he 

 joined or into which he was chosen. When elected to the Massa- 

 chusetts Senate he was at once designated as its president. 



Mr. "Wilder was no less remarkable as an organizer than in his 

 work as an individual. To him the country owes the inception 

 and establishment of the American Pomological Society. From 

 the beginning on he has been its President ; and his annual ad- 

 dresses are full of records of the past and suggestions for the fu- 

 ture, which have diffused an interest in the production of the best 

 fruits throughout the length and breadth of our land. 



And, if as an organizer, no less as a presiding officer he had 

 rare endowments. With a large intelligence, comprehending each 

 subject that came up for consideration, he united a ready utterance, 

 a happy command of language, a quick recognition of each speaker, 

 and that perfect self-possession essential to the chair. Impartial 

 and courteous to everyone, and by his prompt memory recalling 

 names, dates, and events with marvellous facility, he commanded 

 the attention of all present and caused a helpful and gratifying 

 dispatch of business. The silver testimonial presented to him by 

 our Society, at the close of his eight years' service as President, 

 was a token of esteem as truly deserved as it was prized by the 

 recipient. 



And alike on the floor as in the chair, and as a debater, his suc- 

 cess was noteworthy. Gifted with a good voice, his distinct enun- 

 ciation, fluent expression, and accuracy of statement, embodying 

 his clear and logical thought and not deficient imagination — all 

 set forth in a pleasing spirit — made his words often eloquent and 

 always welcome. 



Nor did Mr. Wilder come short of equal success as a writer. 

 Wlienevcr he took up his pen, he had something worthy of its use. 

 And his ideas were usually fresh, to the point before him, and often 

 original. And for style, this well-nigh self-taught man, by his 

 nervous, simple, direct, clear mode of expression, was a model to 

 many who boast of what is termed a liberal education. The 

 twenty annual addresses written by him as President of the New 



