160 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICtHLTURAL SOCIETY. 



The subject for diseussiou today is "The Scientific Education 

 of Gardeners." The term "scientific" seems to stagger many 

 men, particularly our practical gardeners, who, as a class, are men 

 of great natural shrewdness and superior ability, close observers, 

 and men of keen perception, with an innate love of the beautiful in 

 form and color — men whose noble instincts make them liberal to a 

 fault. Such men are quite apt to think there is a conflict between 

 science and practice. This is a great mistake. The}" are simply 

 cause and effect. The general impression appears to be that 

 science is a degree in the scale of knowledge that is only conferred 

 by some institution of learning ; that scientific men dwell in a 

 peculiar atmosphere and possess some hidden facts not easily 

 attained. Let us refer to AVebster for a true definition of the 

 word : 



"1. Knowledge; penetrating and comprehensive information; 

 skill; experience, and the like. 



"2. The comprehension and understanding of truth, or facts; 

 investigation of truth for its own sake ; pursuit of pure knowl- 

 edge. 



"3. Truth ascertained ; that which is known." 

 A simple definition of the word "science" would be, exact fact, 

 which is alike applicable to industry, general intelligence, order, 

 manhood, and correct business habits. The only difference 

 between a scientific and any other fact is, that the one is exact, 

 methodical, punctual, and critical; the other not.* This difference 

 is seen also between two gardeners having the same general outfit 

 as to appliances, and tools or implements ; the one has everything 

 orderly and in its place ; the other, everything in a heap. 



With these simple definitions of science, let us make a few 

 applications in the order named, first stating that when a 3'oung 

 man chooses an occupation for life, he should have three distinct 

 objects in view : First, to establish himself in business that will 

 with industry and ecofeomy provide him with a home and a compe- 

 tence in old age ; second, to be a leader in whatever profession or 

 business he may choose, honored and respected b}^ all men ; and 

 lastly, to pursue some line of thought or study allied to his busi- 

 ness, the influence of which will make old age beautiful through the 

 pleasant memories of a life well spent. 



Success is, or should be, the warp and woof of ever}- j'oung 

 man's ambition. He naturally wants to tread the path that is the 



