6 



leader and reformer in American pomology, who during 

 his lifetime collected nearly two thousand varieties of 

 fruits, — Downer at Dorchester, ever alert on the search 

 for new native fruits, Kenrick of Newton, the Winships 

 at Brighton, John Prince, Enoch Bartlett, Elias Phinney, 

 George W. Pratt, B. V. French, Aaron D. Weld, Aaron 

 D. Williams, and David Haggerston, may be mentioned 

 as ]3re-eminent. 



The society immediately entered upon the work for 

 which it was established, by opening a correspondence 

 with leading European horticulturists, by laying the 

 foundation of a library, and in every other way which 

 the active mind of President Dearborn, who was fore- 

 most in every good work, could devise. And be it ever 

 remembered that to this society the community is 

 indebted for the foundation and consecration of Mount 

 Auburn Cemetery, — the first rural cemetery in the 

 country. This was combined with an Experimental Gar- 

 den, some of whose products were shown at the exhi- 

 bitions of the society. Although it was found expedient 

 to relinquish the control of the cemetery to another 

 corporation, its establishment has proved of the highest 

 advantage to the society, in ways not anticipated when 

 it was founded, which was but about two years from the 

 incorporation of the society. 



But the method which the society has ever found 

 most advantageous for the promotion of its objects is 

 the exhibition of the products of the garden in its 

 various departments ; and a glance at these exhibitions 

 will be both appropriate and interesting. 



The first exhibition of which we have any record 

 was on the 20th of June, 1829, when there were about 

 thirty varieties of roses on the tables. As the season 

 advanced, the exhibitions increased in extent and 

 beauty ; that of August 1 surpassing, we are told, any 

 preceding show. August 29, Samuel 11. Johnson brought 



