welcome extended to us by the Massachu¬ 
setts Horticultural Society, whose liberality 
has made such, ample provision for our ac¬ 
commodation, and while acknowledging 
these courtesies we desire also to express our 
obligations to the Massachusetts Society for 
Promoting Agriculture, and to the gentlemen 
who with them have presented funds for th« 
promotion of our catiRp. 
Nothing could be more grateful to my 
feelings than your presence at our old home¬ 
stead, and in my own behalf 1 hid yon wel¬ 
come to the privileges and enjoyments of 
the occasion. We meet u.s representatives 
and co-laborers from different and widely 
distant sections of this great, republic. We 
come from various districts, but, with no 
other rivaliy than a laudable ambition to 
promote a great industrial pursuit, whose 
salutary influences are for tin* benefit of our 
common country. From whatever section 
you come—whether from the sunrise or the 
sunset shores of onr continent, from the 
Dominion of the North, the valleys and prai¬ 
ries of the great Central West, or from the 
broad plains and hill slopes of the sunny 
South—l extend to alia hearts welcome to 
Our time-honored metropolis of New England. 
Especially do I welcome you to our own 
beloved Commonwealth, the home of the 
Pilgrims, where our fathers planted the 
germs of a civilization which we believe will 
ultimately be extended to the remotest na¬ 
tions of the globe. Here the. tree of liberty 
was planted under whose genial shade our 
whole land now rejoices ; and here Concord, 
Lexington, and Bunker LIill rear their monu¬ 
ments of historic fame, to remind ns of the 
priceless blessings we enjoy. Here were thn 
gardens and orchards of Oov. Erulicotf, 
whose pear tree uS Danvers still survives the 
revolutions of t wo hundred and fifty years. 
Hero at Marshllekl arc the relics of the apple 
treo planted by the first male child bom of 
the Pilgrims, 'Here on Boston Common were 
the orchards of William Blackstone, the first, 
settler. Hen 1 were the gardens of Oov. 
Winthrop, of golden pippin renown, and here 
at a later date the gardens and orchards of 
John Hancock, the first signer to the-Decla¬ 
ration of American Independence, Gardiner 
Green, and others, from whence were dis¬ 
seminated Borne of t he drat fruits introduce d 
into this country from the mother land. 
Here is the home of the Massachusetts Socie¬ 
ty for Promoting Agriculture, of whose) mu¬ 
nificence [ ha ve before spoken ; the home of 
the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 
under whose auspices we meet, both of which 
institutions were the second of their respect¬ 
ive kinds established in America. In this 
vicinity were the fields of labor, of Lowell, 
Dearborn, Manning, Kenrick, the Perkinses, 
Downer, and other early politologists, and 
here are the homes of many now living, 
whoso names will be remembered as pro¬ 
moters of our Cause when they also shall be* 
gathered to their fathers. Here within the 
limits of our city were planted the first Bart¬ 
lett, and the first blemish Beauty pear trees 
imported to this country, both of which sur¬ 
vive to this day. And hero the Dix, the 
Dearborn, Dana’s liovuy, Clapp's Favorite 
irears, and flit* Downer Cherry were born. 
And here within a few miles were originated 
tie Hnvoy’s Seedling Strawberry, the Con¬ 
cord, Diana and Roger’s Hybrid grapes. 
Many of those who participated in the for¬ 
mation of this Society, and to whom wo a re 
indebted for much of its success have ceased 
from tlmir labors, and gone to receive their 
reward. But 1 am most happy to recognize 
among those present, to-day, some of the 
noble pioneers, who aided in the establish¬ 
ment of our Society, who rocked the cradle 
of its infancy, and who now rejoice with us 
in the grand development which this day 
witnesses. We recognize, also, many of.hers, 
who in later times have Contributed and 
shared with us in this march of improvement, 
who like them have stood as faithful senti¬ 
nels on the watch-tower of duty, and whose, 
efforts to advance our objects will demand 
and receive, in coming time, f lic thanks of 
millions of grateful hearts. To no one is tliis 
occasion of more interest, than to him who, 
by your kind indulgence, has occupied this 
chair l’or so many yearn, anil who, in the 
course of nature, cannot again witness the 
assembling of its members in this city of his 
home. With feelings of no ordinary gratifi¬ 
cation, we receive you here, where some of 
the first efforts were made' in the cause of 
fruit culture, and from whence in the early 
history of our country, us well as in later 
years, so much has emanated for its extension 
throughout our land. 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
In my former addresses l have often spoken 
of the acquisitions and usefulness of our art ; 
but in the presence, of so many Intelligent 
cultivators, who f rom scientific attainments 
and practical skill have become renowned as 
teachers themselves, I would not trespass on 
your time by a repetition of well-established 
opini uis, but would rathe)' oiler my congrat¬ 
ulations on the progress we have made, and 
draw therefrom motives and inducements to 
increased efforts and perseverance jn our 
benevolent work. 
I have heretofore alluded briefly to the 
history of our society, but it might be deemed 
an omission of duty did I not on this quarter 
eaten uial make a record of its origin and 
progress, not only for the benefit of those 
present, but, for the information of those who 
arc to come after us. I propose, therefore, 
even at the risk of repeating what may be 
well known to our earlier members, to place 
in the annals of our society a page which 
shall survive when we are gone. Tims shall 
we “bind lust and find fast” the record of 
our t imes. 
4 ^Briefly then, let me state that the idea of a 
pomological convention appears to have oc¬ 
curred to individuals in different States, at 
about the same time—as new ideas in regard 
progress frequently do. Thus, in the sum¬ 
mer of 1848, consultation was had with An¬ 
drew’ Jackson Downing, the great American 
landscape gardener and editor of the Horti¬ 
culturist, Mien on a visit to the City of Bos¬ 
ton, in regard to the chaotic condition of our 
pomology—the want of accurate and well- 
defined knowledge of our fruits, whereby 
correct, conclusions could be drawn as to 
their various merits; thn best, means for 1m 
proving the condition "I fruit culture, and 
the expediency of establishing an American 
society, so that, by interchange of experience, 
more cordial intercourse and by general con 
sent, we might preserve those fruits which 
were valuable, discard those which were 
worthless, correct the confused nomencla¬ 
ture and esta blish a pomology for our whole 
country. To establish such a society was a 
great work, but it was considered as the only 
means which could accomplish the desired 
object. A correspondence iva iiurnodintelv 
opened with some of our prominent agricul¬ 
tural and horticultural .societies, and wit h the 
leading nurserymen and poiufilugisis of our 
land. This resulted in (ho proposal of the. 
American institute ef New York to have a 
convention field under lls auspices in that 
eity. Pursuant, to these arrangements a cir¬ 
cular was issued signed by committees of the 
Massachusetts. Pennsylvania. New Jersey 
and New Haven Horticultural societies and 
the American institute of New York, pro¬ 
posing to hold a “ < treat National Convention 
of Emit Growers” in the City of New York 
October 10, 1848. 
Of the fifteen persons whose names were 
appended to this call, three unlv remain. All 
agricultural or horticultural paper, or a book 
on fruit culture, published on this continent. 
Look back and compare t hat period with the 
present time, with its tiood of books, news¬ 
papers, and periodicals which are wholly or 
in part devoted to the spread of pomologies I 
knowledge, and iveshallapprobate t he great 
advantages arising therefrom. Many of those 
present can remember the t ime when t here 
vvere bid. fVw apples sent from onr Western 
States to the Eastern coast. Compare this 
with the thousands of barrels of fruit that 
are now annually seat to the markets of the 
East. But, time would fail me were I to 
enumerate the vast quantities of pears, 
peaches, grapes and small fruits which come 
from the Western, Southern, Middle and 
Pacific States to our great Northern and 
Eastern cities. Some are present; who can 
remember the time when there was not a 
nursery of any note west of t he Hudson riv¬ 
er, where now, ns from the great commercial 
nurseries at Rochester, Geneva and other 
Western cities, there are annually sent out 
million; of trees and plants to other sections 
of the Union. 
The. thought, therefore, which most im¬ 
presses me on this occasion is the rapid pro¬ 
gress in American pomology, the beneficial 
results which have arisen from the establish¬ 
ment of this national institution, and the 
duty of perpetuating and preserving ifor 
all coming time. No modern event connected 
with the. culture of the soil, and the sanitary 
condition of our people, lias been fraught 
with more salutary effects than the estab¬ 
lishment and operations of this Society. Tho 
more 1 reflect, on its benign influence in pro¬ 
moting the wealth, health and happiness of 
the button, the more arn 1 desirous to do 
what I can in m i day and generat ion for Its 
advancement. True,' much had been done 
by the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Hor¬ 
ticultural Societies, the leading pioneers in 
the East, to open the way for this new epoch 
in tho fruit culture of onr country. Much 
has been done by other associations and 
individuals, in the way of co-operation, but 
hero was a now departure, here was a union 
lor concerted action, which should thence¬ 
forward embrace every section of our con¬ 
stantly-increasing territory. How grateful 
to the feelings of our departed associates, 
could they have seen the growt h and influ¬ 
ence of our Society ! How would the hearts 
of Downing, BrineUlo, Walker, Hancock, not 
to sneak or the living, have swelled with joy 
could they have soon, as we. now see, the 
progress of fruit culture in our land, and the 
prospect which is opening up in the great 
future of our science. 
How striking the progress in our own day! 
It is not. fifty years since (he first Horticul¬ 
tural Society was established on this conti¬ 
nent,. It is but half that period since the for¬ 
mation of this, the first National Pouiological 
Society in the world. And what do we set- 
in fclio grand cornucopia! display of to-day ? 
Not, merely the fruits confined mostly to the 
Eastern States, where our exhibition is held, 
hut the fruits of almost all climes of the 
habitable globe liere in counsel are assem¬ 
bled the representatives of our wide-spread 
territory, laden with rich.experie.nco and with 
precious fruits, l'ar excelling the fabled gar¬ 
dens of antiquity'. 
Here t ho Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New 
England warm to the genial influences of 
the sunny South ; boro the great Central 
West responds to the East; here .California, 
with golden fruits more precious than her 
golden sands ; here fertile Kansas brings her 
crimson fruits ; here youthful Nebraska, rep¬ 
resentative from the great, American desert, 
where sixteen years ago not a fruit tree had 
been cultivated, comes with her car of pre¬ 
cious product and with her Governor at tho 
head ; and here from territories, where but 
a few years since t he track of t he wild beast 
and the trail of the wild man had only 
marked the toil; to-day, in this northern 
dime of granite, and ice, on this rock-bound 
coast, wo meet us representatives of a united 
and prosperous people, to rejoice together in 
a jubilee crowned with fruits surpassing 
those of any other nation of Lhe earth. Such 
is the progress of American pomology ; such 
the harvest, we are permitted to reap; suuii 
tlic fruition of our fondest hopes. 
But who euti even estimate the. progress of 
our art, the importance of this industry to 
our nation i Whose prophetic oye can survey 
the grand ex pause which is to open on our 
course during tho next, twenty live years? 
Ere that time shall have arrived much of the 
unoccupied territory' of our country', now 
greater in extent than that of all our present 
States, will by tho aid of our trans-conti¬ 
nental railroads be opened to cultivation, 
and Columbia l iver, Puget Sound, and the 
whole Pacific coast, with its untold treasures, 
bo united with us in the great work of pro¬ 
moting the pomology of this land. Give us 
twenty-five years more, and from ocoan to 
Ocean, from the Dominion to the. Gulf, our 
hillsides shall be clad with the vine, our great 
valleys adorned with orchards and gardens, 
and the fig, olive, orange, of the. South and 
Pacific shores, shall rival those of exotic 
growth. Give us twenty-five years more and 
our catalogue of fruits -hall bo filled with 
native varieties, and dedicated to American 
pomologists who by their labors and benevo¬ 
lent efforts have contributed to the wealth of 
our country and the happiness of its people. 
NEW FRUITS. 
But to accomplish this most desirable re¬ 
sult, and to fulfill our mission’of supplying 
( every section of our country with fruits 
suited to its own locality, wc must rely 
mainly on those originated on American soil. 
Bound by my promise, in former addresses, 
to aver recognize tho importance of this 
duty, 1 again invoke your attention to tho 
| consideration of the subject. The good re¬ 
sults already attained are but the harbingers 
of still more glorious rewards. We have 
I discussed at length the various processes of 
AMERICAN POMOLOCICAL SOCIETY. 
FOURTEENTH SESSION 
Boston, Sept. 10th, 1873. 
YESTr.KD.VT members delegated from the 
different States and Territories commenced 
to arrive in this city, kuown to the outside, 
world as the “Hub.” Huge boxes and bas¬ 
kets of fruits came by every train, which 
were immediately taken to Horticultural 
Hall, where they were being unpacked uutil 
late last night. Wo visited the Hull again 
this morning, and found everybody busy 
arranging the fruits upon the tables and pre¬ 
paring for the various exercises which were 
to commence at 10 o’clock A. M. The Massa¬ 
chusetts Horticultural Society has made 
elaborate and magnificent preparations for 
receiving the members and delegates of this 
old and well known national organization. 
Horticultural Hall is devoted to the fruits 
sent from all parts of the country, while 
Music Hall, near by, is decorated with all the 
rich and magnificent exotic plants to be found 
in the numerous conservatories in the vicini¬ 
ty, and hero the grand festivities in the form 
of reception are to be held on Friday evening. 
Another large hall, on the same block, is pro¬ 
vided for the use of the Society for its daily 
sessions. In this hull the members met this 
morning and proceeded with the regular 
business. Tlu- President, Hon. Marshall P. 
Wilder, looked as young as ever, although 
a quarter of a century has | 1 asset] by since 
lie was first elected to the honorable position 
which he now occupies, as President of the 
Society, as well as the great leader in pro¬ 
gressive American Pomology. His genial 
face seemed to be wreathed with more than 
the usual quantity of smiles, this morning ; 
perhaps Time had been adding to the. number, 
and we doubt if he could find a more fitting 
brow upon which to place tla-m. 
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. 
The President welcomed the members in 
liis usual felicitous style, and then proceeded 
to appoint the various committees, which 
were advised to Immediately proceed to busi¬ 
ness, as there was work to be done as well as 
to attend to the usual formalities attendant 
upon their biennial reunion. 
COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS. 
It is • cell k now n to the readers of the Rural 
New-Yorker and po i noiogistagenerally, tllat 
there has been much feeling in regard to tl"- 
action ©f tiie Secretary of this So diet ,u 
adding foot-notes to tiic last Report, in whiili 
he has in words, if not in sentiment, stigma¬ 
tized the conductors of the entire horticul¬ 
tural and agricultural press as a lot of don¬ 
keys who were unfitted fur the position they 
occupy. Scores of the members of the 
American Bornological Society happen to be 
iu the very position to feel the blows thus 
dealt, by Secretary ELLIOTT, very keenly, and 
they came prepared to resent the insult; 
therefore there was much interest felt in the 
appointment of the Nominating Committee. 
The Chairman appointed one member from 
each State, as usual, and as each name was 
announced it became evident t here would be 
a struggle in the committee-room over the 
candidate for the Secretaryship. At the close 
of t he list the Secretary arose and begged to 
inform the Committee before retiring that 
he could not, under any circumstances, be a 
candidate for re-election. This, of course, 
was taking the safe road and retiring from 
the contest, pleasing both his supporters and 
opponents. 
ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 
The Nominating Committee made their re¬ 
port, and the Society proceeded to elect its 
officers, making very few changes, and these 
mainly in Vice-Presidents for new territories 
and to fill three vacancies ca used by death, 
with tho one exception of Secretary, Mr. 
Elliott’s place being filled by the election of 
Hon, W. C. FlaOG of Illinois. As Mr. Flagg 
was not present, on motion of A. S. Fuller 
of New Jersey, Mr. H. T. Williams of New 
York was appointed Secretary pro (rni. Sec¬ 
retary Elliott fired a parting shot at all the 
papers which had referred to lug foot-notes 
in the Report, by saying, on leaving the 
chair, that “ he had unfortunately used one 
word in his late Report for winch he had 
been vindictively and unjustly persecuted.” 
[Mr. Elliot r knows better. He knows he. 
has been neither unjustly nor vindictively 
persecuted. He has been most justly dealt 
with, for he put iu the official record an of¬ 
ficial opinion — or assertion, rather—which 
has not even the semblance of truth.—E ds. 
Rural New-Yorker.] 
rest have joined tho great'procession of 
the dead. 
The convention met, and the Society was 
organized as the “ American Congress of 
Fruit Growers,” by the choice of Ma rshall P. 
Wilder, as President, a Vice-President from 
each of the several States represented, and 
three Secretaries, Of these 8, B. Parsons and 
1\ Barry are here to-day. 
The first national pomologicalassemblage 
solely for the consideration of pomological 
subjects, met at Buffalo Sept.. I, 184ft, at the 
call of tin* New York State Agricultural So¬ 
ciety, and after -an interesting session re 
solved to perpetuate itself under the name of 
the “North American Pomological Conven¬ 
tion.” But it was plain that there could be 
but, one tint in no I, organization that could 
carry due weight. A conference was there¬ 
fore had, which resulted the next, year in the 
consolidation of the two associations under 
tho name of tin* “American Pomological 
Congress.” The first meeting of the united 
associations was hold at Cincinnati, l.SftO. fn 
consequence of a death in the family of tho 
President he was absent, and Dr. W. l3. 
Brinckle was chosen to preside, but at the 
next, meeting declined a re-election, and the 
present incumbent was again called to the 
• hair, which ho has occupied to thj t date. 
I la sessions, since the first, three, have been 
held biennially. There have been three in 
New York City ; one in Cincinnati; three m 
Philadelphia ; three. Including the present, 
in Boston* two in Rochester; one iu St. 
Louis ; Mid one in Richmond. The first ses¬ 
sion at, Philadelphia, in 185SJ, will ever be 
memorable a* the. occasion when a eulogy 
was pronounced by the person who now ad¬ 
dresses you, on Mr. A. J. Downing, one of 
the chief projectors of the society whose 
sudden death had occurred a short lime 
previous. At this Session a constitution and 
by-laws was adopte 1, and the name was 
changed to the American Pomological 
Society. 
PROGRESS. 
Wo hail the present anniversary as one of 
the most interesting in onr progress, cem- 
mernurating as it will the history of this So¬ 
ciety from its infancy to its present stature 
of Manhood. Nor can language express the 
grateful sensations which 1 experience, that, 
ray life has been spared to this time ; that L 
have been permitted to wit,no s the rapid 
growth and increasing influence of our Insti¬ 
tution ; and that yon have so kindly con¬ 
sented to come once more to the city of my 
adoption, to my own home, to celebrate with 
me the silver wedding which after so long a 
service has still foun t ns united in the bonds 
of affection anti regard. There may be, and 
probably will be, periods in thn future* history 
of our Society, when equal or greater pro¬ 
gress will be made, but It is a peculiar and 
grateful privilege to be able to record what 
has already been accomplished i to look back 
to its early beginnings ; and here, perhaps 
for the lust time, to join with you in congrat¬ 
ulations on its success, and to look forward 
with confident hopes to the time when every 
section of onr wide-spread territory shall be 
embraced in our association, and our stand¬ 
ard of pomology be established throughout 
the* Western continent. 
Tho marvelous growth of our country has 
constantly been Opening up new states and 
territories for fruit culture. These have 
been embraced Within our fold, thus bringing 
together the wisest aud best cultivators, and 
combining not only the men, but the fruits 
of our rich and varied clirne, and IStatea 
which had no place in our Union at the for¬ 
mation of this association, have become the 
most fruitful in resources. Tims we have 
gone on, step by step, encouraging whatever 
was worthy, rejecting what was unworthy, 
treasuring up the best information, and pro¬ 
mulgating, for llm benefit of our whole peo¬ 
ple, the results of our wide-spread researches. 
Few are aware of the great revolution 
which has taken place in fruit culture since 
the establishment of this National Bornologi¬ 
cal Society, or of the laborous efforts of those 
patient pioneers aud investigators who have 
spent tlieir lives for the promotion of our art. 
Nor can we omit here to acknowledge the 
influence of the press, to which we are so 
much indebted for the dissemination of our 
experience. Some are now living who can 
remember the time when there was not an 
PILES’! WILDER’S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
Oentl nu n of the American Pomolngical Society: 
With tho close of this session a quarter of 
a ceDtury will have elapsed since the estab¬ 
lishment of our national association. 
Most heartily do J congratulate you upon 
the plea ant circumstances under which we 
are assembled, and upon the progress and 
prosperity of our society. We meet on this 
occasion not only to assume tho labors, dis¬ 
cussions and duties incident to another bien¬ 
nial session, but to commemorate by appro¬ 
priate exercises a period which will ever be 
memorable in the record of our existence. 
We accept with great pleasure the cordial 
