HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 405 



of them, the most successful cultivators of gardens, fruits 

 and flowers in this country or the world ; and wherever hor- 

 ticultural societies have been organized in this or other coun- 

 tries, even in distant Japan, its influence is felt. It was 

 incorporated in 1829, and is the oldest horticultural society 

 in this country. It has steadily increased its membership, 

 enlarged its plans, collected its valuable library, prospered 

 financially, extended its influence and established its reputa- 

 tion in this and other countries as one of the leading horti- 

 cultural societies in the world. It has outgrown its once 

 ample accommodations and is vexed 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 88. 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 organ- 

 ization in 1851. He was the father of the Agricultural Col- 

 lege and one of the trustees for many years and one of its 

 chief benefactors. He was the father of the American Pomo- 

 logical Society and its president since its organization, thirty- 

 eight years ago. He was for twenty years president of the 

 Norfolk Agricultural Society and made honorary president 

 on his retirement. In 1852, he assisted in forming the 

 United States Agricultural Society and was for six years its 

 president. 



He was an active or honorary member of many societies at 

 home and abroad. He was distinguished in military, political 

 and Masonic circles, and as a citizen was held in high esteem. 

 He was a man of fine personal presence and bearing, — honest, 

 true to his friends, — a cultivated Christian gentleman. 



This Board shares with the Horticultural Society in a deep 

 sense of loss by his removal from the earth, and will cherish 

 his memory with afiectionate regard. 



