170 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



1G12, are just as much prized over there today, as they were 

 iu those old times. When the people are educated aright they can 

 see as much to admire in a well grown plant, even without a 

 bloom, as in a fine flower. 



Jackson Dawson remarked that a new plant receives the same 

 expression of approval from this Society, if it shows any superi- 

 ority over the older varieties, Avhatever class it may represent. 

 He wanted to call attention to the greater length of time required 

 to get satisfactory results when one attempts to produce a new and 

 decidedly superior rhododendron or other shrub, and especiallj^ a 

 tree, compared with the time required in such attempts with 

 herbaceous plants, and particularly with annuals. In the former 

 case the work covers a term of from three or four years to perhaps 

 ten years, while in the latter one year may complete it. But, on 

 the other hand, the bedding plant is in perfection in a year or two, 

 while the shrub or tree will not onlj' continue many years, or 

 perhaps a lifetime, but will increase in beauty and value every 

 year. Moreover this work must be done b}^ a person who has had 

 a thorough training in gardening operations, and who has a 

 natural taste for such work. Societies do not look at these things 

 from this point of view, and, therefore, do not appreciate them as 

 they deserve. 



Mr. Allen agreed with Mr. Temple's view, that the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Societ}" should recognize plant values iu 

 proportion to tlieir cost. He added that he should like to live to 

 see the time when the producer of a valuable new variety' of tree 

 or shrub — a choice azalea for instance — will be paid liberalh' for 

 the skill and knowledge as well as the time devoted to bringing it 

 out. 



Mr. Temple thought that the horticultural societies of this 

 country had, during the past twenty-five years, given too nuich of 

 their attention to the improvement of annuals and greenhouse 

 plants, and too little to the production of better trees, shrubs, or 

 permanent things generally. He believed that these societies had 

 lost influence by that course. There is no firm iu this couutr}'^ 

 doing the work for us that Lemoine is doing in France, or John 

 Laing in England. Almost nothing is done here to encourage 

 effort iu that direction. All can see fine roses, and many appre- 

 ciate them ; but hardy things of high value are either not seen, or 

 if seen are not understood. But few prizes and those small are 



