Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 185 



the ends for which the society was instituted can, if tlaey ever can, be ap- 

 proximated. Years have brought to the society an increase in the number 

 of its members ; and tliis, assisted by the liberal bequests and donations of 

 its friends, an addition to its funds ; and this increase in its means of useful- 

 ness, authorizes, if it does not demand, an attempt in advance, towards at- 

 taining tlie ends for which it was organzied. 



An opinion has long been entertained, by some, at least, of the members 

 of the society, that some effort should be made, for their mutual instruction 

 in a more economical and scientific cultivation of trees and plants, than at 

 present generally prevails. Different modes have been suggested, in refer- 

 ence to this result, and one of the recommendations of tlic president, seems 

 to have had tliis end, Avitli others, in view. If a committee of tlie society 

 shall occasionally, through the season, visit the gardens of such of tlie mem- 

 bers as may desire it, in order to ascertain those Avhich are the neatest kept, 

 best cultivated, and most economically managed, — and, at the same time, 

 inform themselves minutely of the mode of cultivation pursued in each, tlie 

 nature of the different soils, and the kinds of manure applied, and shall, in 

 their report, detail the extent of their observations and inquiries in these 

 particulars, — something may, perhaps, be done, towards attaining the object 

 last alluded to, and carry out, at the same time, the suggestions contained 

 in the address. But whether this may be so, or not, your committee heartily 

 concur with the president, in his recommendation of offering a premium for- 

 the neatest kept, most economically managed, and best cultivated garden ;. 

 and also, for grounds specially appropriated to vegetables, fruits, or flowers, 

 distinguished by like characteristics ; and they further advise, that a premium 

 should be offered for similar superiority, displayed in the cultivation of 

 grapes or plants, under glass, in greenhouses or graperies. The award of 

 premiums, as at present offered by the society, though attended with bene- 

 ficial results, and fairly made, is not always a true criterion of merit. Ex- 

 clusive attention may have been bestowed, by the successful competitor for 

 the prize, upon one production, or upon a limited number of trees or plants, 

 to the exclusion of all others, and thereby bear away the prize of superior- 

 ity, — and justly, too, under the rules of the society, — from him, whose gar- 

 den, for scientific cultivation, neatness, and economy in management, may 

 be a pattern. 



A regular, scientific course of lectures, upon subjects connected with 

 horticulture, — as upon the nature of the different varieties of soil, the fertili- 

 zers and stimulants adapted to each, the cultivation best suited to them, the 

 vegetation for which they are best fitted, or giving an account of destructive 

 insects, their habits and history, with the modes for their destruction, — 

 would, doubtless, be both instructive and entertaining; and the delivery of 

 a course of this description, if those qualified for the duty would place their 

 services at the disposition of the society, be desirable and beneficial. But, 

 as tlie members of the society are scattered abroad over the State, and could 

 improve the opportunity but to a limited extent, if such was afforded, and as 

 tlie information alluded to can readily be obtained from books, where it is 

 wished, — the small number of members to enjoy this advantage, if provided. 

 VOL. XVI. NO. IV. 24 



