11 



Who does not see, in whatever direction he may turn, 

 the results of the influence which has gone out from the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society ? Beautiful villas en- 

 rich and embellish all parts of the country ; suburban gar- 

 dens of greater or less extent give a cheerful and pictu- 

 resque aspect to our towns and villages; and even the little 

 gardens and city lots denote some unseen influence which 

 has changed these weedy and neglected places into verdant 

 and fertile spots. Who will compare the rural aspect of 

 the country thirty-five years ago with its present appear- 

 ance, and say the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has 

 wasted the resources with which a liberal public have in 

 part endowed it, for objects so beneficent, and for purposes 

 which confer both individual comfort and happiness upon 

 the people. 



Thanks to the generous men of Boston, that after they 

 had witnessed our good stewardship, they reposed every 

 confidence in us, and came forward hberally with their aid, 

 determined that no loss should come from an enterprise 

 then deemed hazardous for our means. Yes, gentlemen, 

 we were the owners of a new hall, but beyond that we had 

 but little to accomplish the great objects in view, namely, 

 to create a laudable competition by the offer and distribu- 

 tion of liberal prizes, and thus attract the people to see 

 the superior specimens which the skill of our cultivators 

 could produce. We had not, fortunately, any occasion to 

 wait; and I deem this a most fitting opportunity to allude 

 to their liberal acts. Few of the large number of mem- 



