Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 395 



through the medium of your paper, and through your Hovey's Magazine, 

 of the progress which had been made in horticultural improvement, but 

 until now had not been a witness to the results. Mr. Stevens made many 

 pertinent remarks upon horticultural societies, and commended the labors 

 of the practical gardener, whose occupation it was to produce such splen- 

 did specimens as had been presented at the exhibition. He gave as a 

 toast — 



The Working Gardener. 



The Rev. J. L. Russell rose to make some remarks. He had listened 

 attentively to the observations which had fallen from his Rev. brother, 

 Mr. Choules, and he was glad to have this opportunity to say to him, that 

 here in New England, he need have no fear that his interest in horticul- 

 tural pursuits would derogate from his profession. He believed that the 

 cultivation of the earth was an enobling, christianizing occupation : that its 

 moral effect upon tlie community was Ijeneficial and good. He spoke at 

 some length on various topics, and concluded with a sentiment. 



The chairman then gave the following :— 



The Accomplished Gardener — Uniting science, skill, and taste, with the dexterous 

 and readj- hand. 



Mr. Downing, of the Highland Nurseries, Newburgh, N. Y., offered a 

 sentiment in reply, which we unfortunately could not procure. 



The following sentiment called out Mr. Meigs, of New York. 



Home Industry — The parent and protector of agriculture, commerce, the useful 

 and elegant arts. Our country is leagued to support it ; we need not look abroad 

 for aid, when New York can guide us with such §ood generalship. 



We shall not endeavor to give even a synopsis of Mr. Meigs's speech, 

 which was humorous and entertaining. It was the first time he had ever 

 been in Boston. For though he was descended from puritan blood, yet he 

 had never been in this modern Athens before. He concluded witli a 

 toast, which, in the merriment that followed his remarks, we forgot to 

 secure. 



Dr. Wight, Recording Secretary, offered the next sentiment, as fol- 

 lows : — 



The Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements — He is a Walker; may good 

 fortune blossom around Itis path, and old age find his granary full. 



Mr. Walker, remarked, that although speech-making was not his forte, 

 he should jtistly be charged witli a want of gratitude and courtesy, did he 

 neglect to thank the gentlemen of the Society for their good wishes and 

 repeated acts of kindness towards him. It was fourteen years, he said, 

 since he had been elected a member of the Horticultural Society, during 

 which period he had labored with nearly all its practical and working 

 men ; and now, after two apprenticeships, he was ready, he said, to enter 

 into another engagement for fourteen years more. Fourteen years ! He 

 recalled it ; he was ready to enter into an ens:agcment for life., and should 

 the future intercourse of the members be as pleasant as the past has been, 

 it would prove to be a red letter day from the beginning to tlie end. Mr. 

 Walker next referred to the ivorks of the Horticultural Society. " Permit 

 me to ask," he said, " ivhat have we done ? and, ivhat remains to he done ") " 

 Then, replying himself to the queries, he observed, " we have nearly 

 changed the face of the country, and have seen the products of Flora and 

 Pomona, which ten years ago could have been stowed in a two-horse era- 



