landscape w th crystal dews, floral gems, luscious fruits, 

 and golden harvests, there arose a new era in the science 

 of American horticulture, which has not only extended 

 its influences all over our own continent, hut has reached, 

 enriched, beautified, and energized other portions of the 

 world. Although not so early in its inception by more 

 than a year as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, 

 it was the first incorporated horticultural society on this 

 continent, with the exception of the New- York society 

 before mentioned. Its first premium list was issued in 

 June, 1829 ; while the first list of the Pennsylvania 

 society was adopted in January, 1830. 



Of the eleven persons who are known as having at- 

 tended the meeting on the 21th of February, 1829, foiir 



— Messrs. Pussell and Ives and the two Messrs. Breed 



— are still living ; while Mr. Russell is the only survivor 

 of the eight named in the charter. 



From its first president down to the present time, the 

 society has been fortunate in securing gentlemen to fill 

 the chair, all of whom have been cultivators of the 

 soil, and lovers of rural art. Dearborn, Cook, Vose, 

 Walker, Cabot, Breck, and Stickney have gone before 

 us ; but their works do follow them ; while, thanks to 

 a kind Providence ! Hovey, Hyde, Strong, Parkman, 

 Gray, and he who now addressOvS you, are still spared to 

 labor in carrying out the beneficent designs of its noble 

 founders. And permit me, without detracting from the 

 enterprise and ability of other pioneers, to say that to 

 Henry Alexander Scammel Dearborn, — the first presi- 

 dent, whose name will ever be held in grateful remem- 

 brance, — more than to any other man, are we indebted 

 for the prestige and popularity of the society, at home 

 and abroad, in its eaily history. Others there are 

 whose names will be gratefully remembered, and cher- 

 ished as co-laborers and benefactors of the society, 

 among whom Robert Manning of Salem, — the great 



