362 MASSACHUSETTS IIORTICULTUUAL SOCIETY. 



Had the Massachusetts Horticultural Society never accomplished 

 anything but this, it would stand pre-eminent in its work, and its 

 name would rise to heaven as a sweet incense of hallowed mem- 

 ories to the thousands who have in these many years laid beneath 

 that consecrated sod all that was mortal of those they had loved 

 and lost. In subsequent years a Cemetery Association was incor- 

 porated which took the management of the grounds, while the 

 Society' continues to receive annually a liberal sum from the pro- 

 ceeds of the sales of lots. 



The Society has gone on with unvarying success. It owns the 

 handsome granite building where all its exhibitions are held, which 

 it built in 1865, and has also a large income, a great part of which 

 is expended in premiums. 



This building, however, is not large enough for the Society's 

 increasing requirements, and it is highly probable that before 

 another century opens it will be in the occupanc}' of much larger 

 and more elegant looms in a more commodious part of the city. 



The Society holds weeklj' meetings every Saturday during the 

 winter months, at which is usually read an essay, either by some 

 one of the very competent members or by some scientist invited 

 from abroad. Following this is a discussion on the subject of the 

 lecture, full of interest and instruction, as is also the animated 

 talk that arises on an iufiuit}' of subjects among an assemblage of 

 experts in the special matters that are constantly called up by 

 curious, or by superior specimens of cultiration. 



There is nowhere in this part of the countr}' such a source of 

 horticultural and arboricultural knowledge and information as 

 springs from these weekly meetings in the Society's rooms, and I 

 should suppose that any person in Boston or its vicinity who has 

 any interest in fruits and flowers, or, I should more properly say, 

 their production and cultivation, would, if admittablc, join this 

 Society and attend its meetings. 



The Society has also during the year, four most interesting public 

 shows for the display of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Some of 

 these cannot be equalled in any city of the United States. The 

 premiums ofl'ered for all these articles are on a most liberal scale, 

 amounting annually to over Ave thousand dollars. 



The Spring Exhibition is in March, when are largely shown 

 greenhouse and pot plants, with such fruits and vegetabUis as may 

 then be in season. 



