806 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



lowest valleys. The early March flowering liver-wort, anemone, 

 snow-flake, crocus and narcissus, should be among them, testi- 

 fying of the goodness which cheered them on through the winter 

 of tlicir discontent ; then might follow a few daffodils, hya- 

 cinths, tulips, crown-imperials and such other flowers as might 

 be most readily obtained, not neglecting the faithful, enduring 

 panzas, erysimums and marigolds, which may easily be kept in 

 bloom into December, leaving only January and Feljruary 

 flowerless months. 



The universality of flowers through earth and ocean, in torrid, 

 temperate and frigid zones, is proof enough of their importance, 

 and hint enough to all who have superfluous means, of pro- 

 ducing them, to impart to others without the niggardly regret 

 or fear of seeing one of his favorites blooming in a neighbor's 

 garden, or that of a man poorer than himself. A penurious or 

 stingy flower lover is altogether a misnomer. The presence of 

 one indicates the absence of the other. The monopoly of soil 

 which deprives so many willing hands of the privilege of turn- 

 ing it into productive gardens, is a great hindrance to horticul- 

 ture and other kindred branches ; still there is so much of it 

 free and attainable, that the possession of flower seeds, even by 

 the poorest children, presupposes not only a will but a way 

 also, of finding a sly corner somewhere, in which to make them 

 grow and display their beauty. 



Your committee are of the opinion, that this society has suc- 

 ceeded so admirably in encouraging the cultivation of flowers, 

 by the praiseworthy example it set many years ago, of reward- 

 ing the most successful exhibitors of them, that it may now 

 judiciously offer gratuities for the most valuable collections of 

 flower seeds presented at its exhibitions, for gratuitous distri- 

 bution, mutual exchange, or even for sale ; and also for the 

 best exhibition and means of destroying insects so injurious to 

 the interests of horticulture. The due encouragement of these 

 additional items may be well assumed by the floral department, 

 if the means of awarding gratuities are but increased in pro- 

 portion to the greater number of visitors it attracts and dimes 

 it pays into the treasury above others. 



These festivals occur but once a year, and as they arc for 

 every individual in the county, let their importance and their 

 attractions and innocent amusements be increased as much as 



