166 P^'of. RusseWs Mdress before ihe 



of those who reside in Middlesex county. A county spciety 

 should direct its attention to county operations. By this meth- 

 od niajiy very valuahle statistics, independent of those imme- 

 diately relating to the efforts and end of the Society, might be 

 collected. Catalogues of its naiive wild flowers could year by 

 year be obtained, and, connected with them, the times of their 

 first appearance or flowering, which to the botanist are desira- 

 ble. The progress of horticulture, each successive season, 

 could be ascertained, and comparisons made of its first state 

 and condition with its subsequent. It will be well for the So- 

 ciety to have a regard to these things. JMuch other informa- 

 tion is desirable, could it be collected; such as varieties of 

 fruits and vegetables cultivated each year, their success in cul- 

 ture, mode of culture, and benefits derivable. This course, 

 while keeping in constant view the main object of the Society, 

 need not, however, prevent the availing itself of such other 

 helps from abroad and out of the county, which circumstances 

 oftentimes present. 



To render the Society yet more effective, an early attention 

 to a library should engage its efforts. The first experiments 

 in exhibition may naturally enough be successful, but to main- 

 tain an interest, and to produce its greatest and main end, 

 constant and increasing information should be sought. Here 

 the field of labor opens an extended vista, and invites to an 

 inexhaustible pursuit. The mysteries of the organic laws of 

 vegeculture should become familiar. Long and tedious exper- 

 iment in personal attention must be a requisite to successful 

 culture, where the reading of books and treatises on the sub- 

 ject has been neglected. We could wish, therefore, to elevate 

 the condition of the Society. It is well, as a mere effort at 

 the innocent entertainment of the citizens of Lowell; it is 

 better^ that it raise itself to the rank of an institution of phi- 

 losophic and scientific inquiry. The various committees, on 

 the subjects of their care, need, and must have, the requisite 

 works, for their guides. It is not enough that your tables are 

 loaded with delicious fruits and fair flowers, merely to gratify 

 the eye; but it is essential thai their correct names and syno- 

 nymes be also attached. Tt is worse than useless, that through 

 deficiency of instruction, and of guides to such knowledge, 

 incorrect and erroneous names are substituted. Nothing re- 

 tards the advance of useful horticulture among the community, 

 like this. Were ours a mere amateur society, to amuse the 

 eye, I should not speak thus; but I have before my mind the 



