REPORTS OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 367 



The work and influence of this Society is a constant public 

 benefaction, by the introduction of new and improved varieties of 

 vegetables, fruits, and flowers, and illustrating the best methods 

 of their cultivation, stimulating the ambition of people to improve 

 and excel in these specialties. Some one has said that no person 

 could eat of our choicest grapes, apples, and pears without being 

 indebted to the genius of Marshall P. Wilder. 



The influence of the Society is not confined to this or the New 

 England States. Its members and patrons are, many of them, 

 the most successful cultivators of gardens, fruits, and flowers in 

 this country or the world ; and wherever horticultural societies 

 have been organized in this or other countries, even in distant 

 Japan, its influence is felt. It was incorporated in 1829, and is, 

 with the exception of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the 

 oldest in the country. It has steadily increased its membership, 

 enlarged its plans, collected its valuable library, prospered finan- 

 cially, extended its influence and established its reputation in this 

 and other countries as one of the leading horticultural societies in 

 the world. It has outgrown its once ample accommodations and 

 is perplexed with the problem of their enlargement. 



It was a happy thought that suggested a union of this Society 

 with this Board of Agriculture and the other societies. All will 

 be benefited. We needed its help and influence, perhaps, far more 

 than it needed ours. Let us endeavor to make the relation 

 mutually pleasant and helpful. 



Almost at the close of the year we were startled by the sudden 

 death of the Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, at the ripe age of eighty- 

 eight. He had been connected with this Society fifty-six years, 

 and was more widely known and more prominent than any other 

 member. He was the father of this Board of Agriculture, and an 

 active member thereof since its organization in 1851. He was 

 the father of the Agricultural College and one of the trustees for 

 many years and one of its chief benefactors. He was the father 

 of the American Pomological Society, and, (with the exception of 

 one year) its president since its organization thirtj'-eight years ago. 

 He was for twenty years President of the Norfolk Agricultural 

 Society and on his retirement was made Honorary President. In 

 1852, he assisted in forming the United States Agricultural 

 Society and was for six years its President. 



He was an active or honorar}' member of many societies at 



