224 MASSACHUSETTS nOKTICULTURAL SOCIETT. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 

 Horticultural Reminiscences. 

 By Hon. Daniel Needham, Groton. 



Mr. President., Ladies, and Gentlemen .- It is with no ordinary 

 feeling of interest that I stand here for a brief time to address 

 3'ou upon a subject assigned to another — to one whose very name 

 is synonymous with the growth, progress, and developraent of hor- 

 ticulture in America. The lips of that great good man have been 

 sealed by death ; but the utterances of his life will forever remain 

 to bless mankind. It is a compensating reflection that although 

 the physical life ma}' depart, the results of that life, like the flow 

 of the river which has its head waters in the springs of the dis- 

 tant mountains, may yet go on forever. The name of Marshall 

 P. Wilder will long continue a recognized name in every depart- 

 ment of human industry based upon agricultural development 

 throughout the civilized world, and his patient industry and care- 

 ful studies in connection with plant life and growth will contiuu- 

 all}' serve to encourage the young and aid the mature worker, in 

 labors promotive of the interests of the husbandman. 



It was in my early student life, at a boarding school in the city 

 of Providence, that I took my first lessons in horticulture. At 

 this school it was the prescribed duty of everj' male student to 

 cultivate a small tract of land ; and for this purpose a lot of about 

 a rod square was assigned him ; each lot bearing a distinguishing 

 number. The student was furnished with sufficient barn-yard 

 manure for fertilizing purposes, and was expected to exercise his 

 own judgment in its use and application. Student lalH)r spaded 

 the ground thus assigned, pulverized the soil, worked in the ma- 

 nure, and planted the seeds. livery student exercised his own 

 taste and judgment in tlie selection of the crop. It might be 

 flowers — it might be vegetables for the table — it might bo 

 bushes for the production of small fruits, like the currant or other 

 berries. 



It was expected that this patch should be thoroughly tilled, kept 

 free from weeds, and turned to the best account in accordance with 

 the knowledge, skill, and industry of the student. Twice a month 

 during the summer season there was inspection by the gardener. 



