200 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



well emliellished with trees and slirubs as well as flowers and 

 climbing plants. There are, however, many other people whom 

 our Transactions will reach, — there are still more whom we should 

 like to have them reach and benefit, — who would be glad to learn 

 the best methods of planning and planting their gi'ounds, and how 

 to secure or raise their own trees, shrubs, and vines. And while 

 we steadil}' strive to help the loyal niemlters who attend our 

 meetings and otherwise aid in doing the active work of planning 

 and executing for the Society, it is the non-attendants and non- 

 members who most need to be interested and instructed in the line 

 of horticultural taste. 



With this view 1 desire to direct attention to the fact that our 

 Transactions for 1887 can be made practicall}- useful towards 

 promoting an increase in the number of embellished homes in 

 Massachusetts ; and, even if such increase cannot always be in the 

 form that might be recommended as best by those most capable of 

 judging, nevertheless any advance in this direction will be a step- 

 ping stone to a more general introduction of the best methods, 

 eventually. 



Would that more of those living in suburban homes, in villages 

 and on farms, could be persuaded that there is aciual value, as 

 well as pleasure, to be gained through the embellishment and pro- 

 tection of their home grounds by a common sense planting with 

 trees and shrubs, and I will add vines. 



Some people have not the taste and inclination, while others 

 have perhaps not had their attention sufficiently awakened, to 

 realize fully the benefits of the course proposed, and to know how 

 easily such results as our subject suggests can be accomplished. 

 Consequently the advantages must be shown, and persuasion 

 brought to bear, and advice given as to how the trees and shrubs 

 and vines can be secureil, and what varieties it is best to select. 



Where the advice of those who have devoted themselves to a 

 study of this subject, as have many of those who are here today, 

 can be secured it should always be sought; and consultation of 

 books, such as we have in this excellent libraiy, would prove in- 

 structive in this as well as in all other horticultural matters. 



Propagation of trees and shrul)s from seeds and cuttings is the 

 cheapest way, and is also an interesting and instructive one ; but 

 it is at the same time a slow method of securing a supply and 

 would seldom prove satisfactory to most of those who desire to 



