394 Massachusetts Hortlcidtiiral Society. 



To this sentiment, tlie Rev. Mr. Choules, chairman of the delegation of 

 the New York Institute, in the absence of Gen. Talmadge, replied in a 

 short and interesting speech. He alluded to the improvements which had 

 been made in liorticulture in the vicinity of Boston, and to the example 

 Avhicli had been set by the Mass. Ilort. Soc. He believed Boston to be 

 far ahead of any other part of tlie country in horticultural science. He 

 alluded to tlie prejudice which existed in some parts of New York state, 

 against the clergy, on account of their attending cattle shows and agricul- 

 tural exhibitions, and occasionally taking part in the festivities of the day. 

 This prejudice grew out of tiie want of a taste for such pursuits. He was 

 happy to know there were no such prejudices in New England. Mr. 

 Choules highly complimented the Society, and in connexion with it related 

 an amusing anecdote. In conclusion he gave — 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society — One of the best blessings of a social 

 community. From the arable ground of peace and union, its members have brought 

 forth the flowers of promise, and the i'ruits of good fellowship. 



Col. Wilder, the President of the Society, replied. 



Mr. W. welcomed the delegates as representatives not only of Horti- 

 culture, but of the great science of Agriculture, the means by which our 

 race subsist, and tlie foundation of all national and individual prosperity. 

 He stated that the cultivation of the soil in all ages had been esteemed 

 honorable by the great and good — that it was refining and enobling — that 

 its pleasures were of the purest character, and in support of this, gave as 

 a sentiment, in tlie language of Washington — 



The Cultiralion of the Soil — " The most healthful, the most useful, and the most 

 honorable employment of man." 



The chairman next gave — 



The Cincinnati Horticultural Society — She has already given us a good Ern'stof 

 wliat she intends to do in the dissemination of horticuhural improvement. 



Mr. Ernst, of Cincinnati, Ohio, an intelligent and enterprising nursery- 

 man of that city, who was present, replied. He was highly gratified at 

 being enabled to be present on this occasion. He had attended the exhi- 

 bition, and was astonished at the great variety and number of fruits which 

 were exhibited. In the West they were but yet in the infancy of horti- 

 culture, and looked to the East for information: they had recently estab- 

 lished a society in Cincinnati, but he trusted it would be the means of 

 disseminating information among the people, and instrumental in the intro- 

 duction of the choicest fruits. There was no soil or climate better adapted 

 to the cultivation of fruit than that of Ohio. He should return to his home, 

 and give an account of what he had seen, and he hoped the Cincinnati 

 Hort. Soc. would follow the example. Mr. Ernst concluded by offering 

 the following toast : — 



Tlie Massachusetts Horticultural Society— The mother vine, whose fruitful branches 

 have reached across the Alleghany mountains. May it continue to spread until the 

 whole land shall become a perfect garden. 



The next sentiment from the Chair, was — 



The. Cnltirators and Agriculturists of Gotham — Well does that State deserve the 

 appellative of " great," which sends forth as her delegates, men whose enterprise 

 developes the natural resources of the country ; whose genius facilitates progress ; 

 and whose philanthropy blssses mankind. 



Mr. Stevens, President of the Croton Water Works, rose in reply. He 

 had never been gratified by such a display of fruit. He said he had heard 



