14 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



The Society, in common with the rest of the world, must now 

 face new conditions. There is everywhere a demand in every 

 profession for better education and greater efficiency. The 

 Society will fall short in its duty to the Commonwealth if it fails 

 to take a more active part than it has in the past in the horticultural 

 education of our people. A closer affiliation than now exists 

 between our Society, other horticultural societies, the granges 

 and the garden clubs of the State could not fail to be beneficial. 



Among new conditions which make it desirable that we should be 

 more active in extending the knowledge of horticulture, is the recent 

 ruling of the Department of Agriculture of the United States, under 

 which the importation of living plants from Japan is forbidden, 

 and the importation of plants from Europe is either prohibited or 

 so hedged around with troublesome restrictions that the plants 

 which have been imported into this country for the last fifty years, 

 in constantly increasing numbers, must now be raised here. To do 

 this successfully, the country is not yet properly equipped. 

 Nurserymen, florists, and gardeners of private estates require 

 knowledge and experience to enable them to meet successfully 

 these new conditions. Our Society should be in a position to 

 furnish this knowledge. 



It would seem that this Society, with its large body of intelligent 

 and public-spirited members, should be able to advise wisely as to 

 Federal and State legislation proposed for the improvement of 

 horticulture and agriculture. 



I shall ask your Trustees to authorize me to appoint one or more 

 committees to carry out these suggestions. 



I am quite sure that the Massachusetts Horticultural Society 

 is not doing the work that it should, not only in this community, 

 but in the State at large. It needs waking up and should have a 

 broader vision than mere exliibitions. Exhibitions are important 

 and should be held, but the question is a serious one. I certainly 

 trust that the members will do all they can to extend our work in a 

 vigorous and competent manner so that its power will be felt at all 

 County Fairs, all flower exhibitions, and all garden exhibitions. 

 We should keep in close touch with what is being done by the 

 various Park Commissions all over the State, should advise them 

 in regard to the planting of trees and shrubs, and should do our 



