76 MASSACaUSLTTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of prizes or gratuities. At one period it was thought thia committee was of 

 . little importance, and I am ready to acknowledge that it was, at one time, a 

 rather extravagant committee. Yet there is no reason why it should not be a 

 most efficient one ; and so it must and will be. Under the conditions of the 

 donation of Mr. Hunnewell, who has given the liberal sum of $2000, the 

 interest of which is to be annually awarded in prizes for gardens and grounds, 

 under certain restrictions, this committee have now a special work to do; and 

 I hope that under the supervision of the donor, as chairman of the committee, 

 they will proceed at once to make kqown the terms of his donation, and that 

 we shall have many competitors, and the decisions of the committee be of 

 special service in disseminating a better knowledge of landscape art. 



One of the special prizes for seedling fruits has just been awarded to Fran- 

 cis Dana, for the production of Dana's Hovey pear. This appears most 

 worthily bestowed, and I quite agree with the Chairman of the Fruit Com- 

 mittee in all he has said in his report. It is only to be regretted that other 

 prizes for seedlings were not awarded at the same time. 



There has been, it appears to me, altogether too much tardiness, too much 

 valuable time lost, in making these awards. It is true, these prizes, for some 

 reason, were stricken out of the schedule three or four years ago. But they 

 have now been restored. They should have been awarded long since : but if 

 not before, now is the time to do justice to the zealous cultivators who have 

 spent hours, and days, and weeks, and years of patient toil and watchful care, 

 in bringing forward seedlings of all kinds. The object of these prizes is 

 two-fold; to encourage the production of seedlings, and reward and honor 

 those who produce them. Both should be kept in view. Yet what reward 

 does the raiser of a new seedling have when the prize is not given until ten 

 or fifteen years after it has passed out of his hands ? And how much will 

 such action encourage others, if they are to be put off until the seedling 

 becomes a comparatively old variety ? Every member of this Society fully 

 appreciates the importance of its commendation of every new plant, flower or 

 fruit. No patent for a new seedling can be obtained, nor is any wanted : but 

 the cultivator does wish, if he raises a truly valuable product, to have the 

 stamp of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, that any benefit which may 

 be gained from their good opinion may accure to him, before it leaves his 

 hands. Before that, it is a reward and an incentive to further exertions : after- 

 ward, one of empty honor, and almost of discouragement. The premiums are 

 not larce, in view of the great requisites demanded in a new seedling, and it 

 should be a pleasure, as it is a duty, to make these decisions promptly, freely 

 and heartily. 



It seems to me that the production of a new flower which shall add to the 

 adornment of every man's garden — a new fruit which shall add to the luxury 

 • of every man's table — a new vegetable which shall minister to the necessities 

 of the whole people — is as well worthy of a Gold Medal as the superior 

 lone of a pianoforte, the extra finish of a piece of broadcloth, or specimens 



