644 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Mr. W. S. Carpenter from the committee on large fruits, acknowlcdg-ed 

 the receipt of a bushel of Hubbardston Nonesuch apples from Mr. Asahel 

 Foot, Williamstown, Mass., in competition for the "Greeley Prize." 



Mr. Isaac Buchanan exhibited a fine speciment of "Bilbergia Thrisoides," 

 the cochade plant in bloom, and several splendid Cactus. 



The Chaifman said in compliance with the invitation extended to him at 

 the last meeting-, the Rev. Dr. Osgood is present, and I have the pleasure of 

 introducing him to the audience. 



The Garden as an Educator. 



By the Rev. Br. Samuel Osgood. 



I confess to having been moved to throw out these stray thoughts on the 

 wisdom of the garden not in the usual way of the poets and essayists who 

 have made the subject so charming. Not in blooming June nor ripe Sep- 

 tember, but in dull Noyember, after quitting the country for the city, and 

 in the midst of the bustle and passion of the great electioneering campaign, 

 the fit comes upon me while looking at the luscious apples and brilliant 

 flowers upon the tables of our Horticultural Society; and my remarks upon 

 the Garden as an Educator are thrown out impromi^tu at request of friends, 

 while the Democracy are listening to their pet orators in the great hall 

 below, and thundering out at times applause so deafening that the prize 

 Nonesuches on the table seem to deepen their blushes, and the radiant 

 cactus to tremble in its sensitive petals at the din, as if spirits of Paradise 

 were appalled by an outbreak from the pit below. 



It is veiy pleasant to go among the farmers, florists, and fruitmen — and 

 I will not forget that November reunion now — they are so full of love for 

 their soothing delightful pursuit, and so ready to give the help of their 

 experience to every kindly seeker as to be quite winning to us men of 

 books. I confess, however, to some little misgiving when asked to enlighten 

 them, in view of my small doings as an amateur cultivator. I am afraid 

 that our fe\V acres have been more a sink of money than a mine, and that 

 our crop of health and pleasure, when-compared with our account of outlay 

 and income, would bring more than a smile to the faces of the thrifty hus- 

 bandmen who are willing to hear a scholar talk of flowers, fruits, and trees 

 with great respect, and take it for granted that his practice is as good as 

 his theory, and his thrift keeps pace with his taste. I am afraid to say 

 how much our potatoes and eggs cost us as compared with the market- 

 price; yet sure I am that we get our raoiiry's worth, for health and enjoy- 

 ment that are priceless come into the estimate, and no money could tempt 

 us to part with the harvest of delights that every year yields from our 

 garden. The most thrifty farmer or nursery-man is always ready to forgive 

 an amateur a considerable share of improvidence if he has only the true 

 love of nature; and on that ground I am able to hold up my head among 

 these good people, and talk and write as one of their gentle craft. What 

 is said will have more point if we consider the philosophy of the garden as 

 a school of science, a workshop of art, and a gallery of beauty and sociality. 



Consider, first, the school that is opened to us among the plants. The 

 place itself is a marvelous lesson, for it sets before us the first form of 

 organic life, and teaches us how nature rises in vegetation from the earths 



