J\lassachusetts Horticultural Society. 397 



fond of gardening:. He early became a member of the Soeiefj^, ■while 

 its first accomplished President presided over it. He had been a con- 

 stant exhibiter for ten years, and during that period had acted on va- 

 rious committees in connection with the gentleman who had now seen 

 fit to honor him, and he had always found him ready to do his share 

 in promoting the ol)jects of the Society. 



The establishment of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society was 

 an epoch in the horticulture of this vicinity. It gave a new impulse 

 to the science, whose progress has ever since been onward. But 

 there was yet, in the opinion of many gentlemen, something wanting 

 to keep up the interest excited. This was some vehicle of informa- 

 tion by which practical men might communicate their sentiments to 

 each other. Such a source presented itself in a periodical devoted to 

 Horticulture. With the promised aid of many gentlemen whom he 

 saw present, and among whom the Presitlent of the Society was the 

 first, he undertook its publication. With what success, he left the 

 public to decide. He hoped that the INIagazine would long continue 

 to exert a salutary influence in Horticulture, and its publication prove 

 an honor to the science, throughout the United States. He conclud- 

 ed by proposing — 



Horticuhural Societies at home, and Horticultural Societies abroad — Associa- 

 tions which confer blessings upon all classes of society; andwhose influence 

 extends to the remotest bounds of civilization. 



Mr. B. V. French gave — 



The Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements — We hare witnessed and 

 admired the fine efiect he has produced at the hall, but we should like to 

 hear more from his Tulips (two lips.) 



JNIr. Walker said, he should ask the indulgence of the company, 

 while he should attempt to respond to the sentiment just expressed. 

 To receive the approbation of the members of the Massachusetts 

 Horticultural Society, for his humble efforts, thus pubbcly, filled his 

 breast with gratitude, for which he could not find words to give ut- 

 terance. 



After a ^ew appropriate remarks in relation to the word iv:o lips, 

 he concluded as follows: — 



Permit me, then, to scan the past history of this Society, and say a 

 word in antici])ation of the future. It is sometimes well to look back 

 and see from whence we sprung. Fourteen years ago, and the Mas- 

 sachusetts Horticidtural Society was not in existence. Their first 

 meetings were held in a small room in Congress-street ; after that, 

 they met in an upi)er room over the New-England Seed Store ; from 

 there they removed to Joy's buildinirs, and from there to a room in 

 Cornhill, and finally to their present Hall, in Tremont Row. This 

 is a history of its location. But who can recount its acts, and the 

 benefits thereof to the commnnity and after generations.^ 



Had I the eloquence of Cicero, it might be exhausted on this sub- 

 ject. The purchase of, and the maturing the plans of the Cemetery 

 at Mount Auburn, are deeds worthy of any Society. This act, sir, 

 may be considered as the corner stone of our transactions. And on 

 this act we may, by united efiorts, raise a Temple, which shall be the 

 delight of future generations. A Temple where the old and the 

 young, the rich and the poor, the learned and the unlearned, may 

 come and partake freely of the treasures which ever flow from our 



