290 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



dependence and delight, and you will be found encouraging your 

 neighbors to plant, and thus extend this delightful branch of 

 industry. 



What an interesting field of labor does horticulture present, 

 contributing largely to our pleasure, and at the same time a 

 source of great profit. No calling is more congenial to our best 

 feelings ; none better calculated to elevate our minds, or to 

 develope the purest sentiments of our moral natures. Fruit and 

 flowers, though silent, (to me,) are eloquent preachers. As we 

 open the book of nature, and turn over its leaves, the more we 

 investigate her laws and her benevolent provisions, we are more 

 fully convinced of the instructive lessons she teaches. I would 

 say then to all, cultivate fruit and flowers ; assemble these rural 

 comforts around your cottage ; they will increase your local 

 attachments, and make home more pleasant. Horticulture has 

 been encouraged by the best men of all ages, and few have done 

 more for the cause than the lamented Downing. His works are 

 left behind him, and his name will live in the memories of all 

 who knew him. 



We have to record the death of another whose labors have 

 done so much for the cause we are advocating. The name of 

 Samuel Walker of Boston will long be cherished by the inhabi- 

 tants of the rural districts. Pew men have done more for the 

 cause of horticulture. For many years he took a lively interest 

 in the horticultural department of the American Institute of this 

 city — exhibiting his splendid collection of pears at our annual 

 exhibition, to encourage others to engage in fruit growing as a 

 source of pleasure and of profit. May the memory of such men 

 live forever. 



Prof. Nash inquired what dressing should be put on where 

 large limbs are cut off. 



Mr. Carpenter answered, gum shellac, dissolved in alcohol. 



A. D. Robinson said he had found that shellac thus prepared 

 peeled off. 



Mr. Roberts said if dissolved in alcohol, and then water added, 

 and boiled until the alcohol is evaporated, it won't peel off. 



Mr. Fuller said a solution of ammonia is the best solvent of 

 shellac. 



Mr. Burgess stated that rubbing deer's tallow over the wound 

 would prevent decay. 



Mr. Lawton said he had found a coat of white-lead paint 

 answer all the purpose. 



