396 JMassachusells Horticultural Society. 



we were indebted to the zeal, practical intelligence and skill of some 

 of the earliest and most active members of the Societ\-, while the ed- 

 itors of the Neio England Farmer, and the Magazine of Horticulture, 

 were to be entitled to infinite credit and praise for their indefatigable 

 labors in collecting and disseminating intelligence over the whole 

 country. 



General Dearborn closed his remarks with the following toast: — 

 The CuUii-ation nf the Earth — It was the first act of civilization, is the ba- 

 sis of all other branches of industry,and the chief source of the prosperity and 

 wealth of nations. 



By C. F. Rockwell, Esq., mayor of Norwich: — 



The Jlenibers of the Hnrticultural Society of 3Iassachusetts — By their works 

 and by their fruits we know them. 



The Press — It scatters abroad the seeds of knowledge. Its fruits, if right- 

 1)^ cultivated, exert a salutary influence in the moral and political world. 



Mr. Buckingham, editor of the Courier, was called for to respond 

 to this sentiment, but he had retired from the hall, though not with- 

 out placing in possession of the President the following sentiment: — 



Horticultural Societies — "Fiscal corporations," whose capital stoch is a well 

 cultivated bank of soil, M'hose directors are producers, whose depositors get 

 cent, per cent, for their investments, whose exchanges are never below par, and 

 which '•' operate per se over the Union." 



Mr. Putnam, editor of the New England Farmer, being called on, 

 rose and replied. He expressed his admiration at the success of the 

 Society, and was gratified at their prosperity- As an editor, he stood 

 the successor, though not the immediate one, of the late Thomas G. 

 Fessenden, whose labors had been highly beneficial. He had always 

 welcomed the New England Farmer, and read it with delight. It 

 promoted the science of agriculture, and as long as it was in his 

 bands, he should endeavor to make it useful. The cultivation of 

 flowers promotes health. It favors morals and religion. He gave — 



The fair garden of the ivorld above — where the faithful cultivators may hope 

 to pluck unfading flowers, and gather immortal fruit. 



Blr. B. V. French, Vice-president, then gave the following: — 



Asriculture and Horticulture — The first, a nation's greatest wealth; the 

 next, its greatest luxury. 



Mr. Wiltler having retired, Mr. French took the chair, and pro- 

 posed the following: — 



Our President, Col. Marshal P. Wilder — His example is worthy of imita- 

 tion; in him we have evidence of what method and perseverance can achieve. 



Mr. Winship, Vice-president, next proposed this sentiment: — 



The Magazine of Horticulture — A work which has contributed much to 

 the honor of the state, and to the advancement of the science to which it is 

 devoted— May its editor long continue the ornament of his profession, and 

 the pride of his friends and associates, and meet with the reward his labors 

 so justly merit. 

 Mr. C. M.Hovey rose and said, that as he had the honor to edit that pe- 

 riodical, it might be expected that he should re|)ly to the generous com- 

 jiliment bestowed upon him by his friend. It was nearly seven years 

 since he conm)enced his labors in writing upon horticultural subjects, 

 but it was three times that period since he first became passionately 



