98 



no better for homesteads than stretches of farming lands, 

 or pastures, unprotected by trees. 



But these same farming lands, would be improved by a 

 judicious roadside planting. Much of such results have 

 started from the quiet work of agricultural and village 

 improvement societies. 



To show what influence such societies have often, let 

 me state some information that I gained upon visiting large 

 rose glass-houses that cover a number of acres on the 

 other side of Boston, where the railroads do so much to 

 accommodate the land owners and its patrons. 



I knew that formerly all the roses grown there were 

 shipped to New York City. I asked if the roses continued 

 to be sent to New York, and was informed that they now 

 went to Boston. Did the Massachusetts Horticultural 

 Society's influence tend to so cultivate and increase the 

 taste of Bostonians for flowers that they became a market 

 for what had, previously to late years, been sent else- 

 where, I asked. Yes, very largely so. 



I want to impress upon our members the great value of 

 our society, in establishing good ideas by keeping in the 

 lead in the future as it has in the past, and in moulding 

 public opinion as to what is best to do and have so far as 

 our field of action can extend. 



We shall have important measures to consider to-day, 

 and they demand unprejudiced, but reasonabl}^ conserva- 

 tive thought. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Francis H. Applbton, Chairman. 



STATEMENT CONCERNING HEDGE OF NORWAY SPRUCE 



AND ARBORVIT^, GROWN BY CHARLES W. WOODS 



OF NEWBURY. 



Twenty years ago I bought 1000 seedling plants im- 

 ported through T. C. Thurlow. They were five or six 



