MassacJiitsetts Horticitltvral Society. 385 



The Clerc^j — While their labors arc confined to the cultivation of the moral and re- 

 ligious affections, they are cheered with a rich hope of a plentiful harvest for the future 

 life, and enjoy more than all others the fruits of the present. 



The Rev. Dr. Codman, ia responding to the latter sentiment, remarked 

 that the object of the association could not but commend itself to the minis- 

 ter of the religion whose doctrines were peace on earth and good will to 

 men — for it led him to anticipate the glad day when men should beat their 

 swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, and not 

 learn war any more. He had returned from a short tour in Europe to com- 

 pare our magnificent sunsets proudly with the so much lauded " sunny skies 

 of Italy," and after suffering much inconvenience from the late cold, wet 

 and disagreeable season in England, which threatened great difficulty in the 

 ingathering of the harvest, he could not but feel with gratitude that our 

 lives were cast in pleasant places, and that we had a goodly heritage. He 

 highly appreciated the advantages of cultivation, and trusted that this insti- 

 tution would bring the science of horticulture to its greatest perfection. He 

 concluded with this sentiment ; — 



The Patrons of Horticulture — Whose names adorn these walls. They are entitled 

 to the gratitude of mankind. 



. The Chair called upon the clergymen present to respond to the previous 

 toast, and the Rev. Mr. Choules followed, and made some appropriate re- 

 marks, repeating the story of the introduction of the fuchsia, and concluded 

 as follows : — 



" I am happy to be present on this joyous occasion. I wish many of my 

 brethren were here ; the place is full of instruction, and is a field for use- 

 fulness. Some of my most pleasurable reminiscences are connected with 

 agricultural and horticultural employments. They are in unison with God's 

 plans and human nature. At your last festive occasion, one of the orna- 

 ments of our community observed, that " he felt delighted when he saw the 

 laboring man walk through the streets of Boston, carrying home a potted 

 plant under his arm, because he felt convinced of the love of nature and 

 virtue that was exhibited." Sir, the mechanic cannot come into competi- 

 tion with your rich men's gardens and greenhouses. You have no reward 

 to stimulate such humble skill as belongs to the cultivation of the window 

 plant. I have the pleasure to say that I am authorized by a liberal friend 

 to announce a medal at the disposal of this Society, for the best single pot- 

 ted plant produced by the mechanic, female, or child, at your next exhibi- 

 tion. I cannot trespass on such an occasion, in this presence — suffer me to 

 give as a sentiment — 



The State of Louisiana, whose representative I am glad is in our assembly. 



The Hon. Mr. Henning, of the Louisiana Bar, said that he was very 

 much obliged to the Society for noticing Louisiana in this manner, and that 

 he was very happy to be present at a festival so interesting in itself, and so 

 honorable to New England. He would give as a sentiment : — 



Tlie Fair of New England — The brightest flowers in the continent of America. 



VOL. XI. NO. X. 49 



