in turn, and the opportunities it affords become yet more extensively known. By opening our halls as we do at the seasons when plants and flowers, vegetables, and fruits are in their best condition, we afford occasions and facilities for the display of the results of the cultivators' skill, and for intelligent study and appreciation of them by the public. Our Library is one of the finest collections of horticultural works in the world — is very nearly the best; and it is the privilege of any student in horticulture to freely consult its shelves. The Society's prizes are open to all comers, and its readiness to benefit is only limited by its opportunities or means to act as occasion arises.

Is there not some way by which its power for good can be felt more completely throughout this State? Some way of encouraging everywhere a local horticultural interest, and making more widely known what can be found here at all times; and the fact that our rooms are open for an exchange of views on Saturdays? Such an increase in the field of investigation and practice in horticultural work as might thus be established in our comparatively small and compact State could not fail of good results; while it would yet more firmly secure to Massachusetts her present proud position as respects educational advantages.

We have in our State a varied surface, with a generous proportion of rich arable soil, and other that is better suited to use as pasturage or for the growth of trees. In our climate, where the heat of summer tends so powerfully to dry up the short sweet grass of our pasture lands, do not trees shading the surface of such pastures contribute to ward off the effects of drought, to sweeten the green food and lengthen its supply by preserving moisture longer in the soil, and to otherwise enhance the comfort of the animals grazing under the shelter of their branches?

It is said that animals must be kept out of pastures until the trees are fully established, and this is objected to as impracticable on the score of economy; but have we not lands which appear to be deteriorating gradually, where some such radical means are necessary to preserve their quality, and where, later, such a course may greatly enhance their value? Again, have we not good. trees that could be planted in pastures, and which animals would avoid, but which would, with a little care as to trimming their limbs, form shelters to animals as well as to the ground, thus becoming of use in two ways at once?

We know that only amongst tree-covered hills and fields we find the sources of perennial springs, and that these are fast decreasing in many sections of our State; and we all recognize their usefulness, and admire their beauty as the water flows from them in gentle streams, winding perchance beneath tall trees, or between belts of shrubbery, until finally united with the larger watercourses. Is not this a picture of Ornamental Planting such as is by no means an impossibility?

As to the profit to be derived from planting with forest trees for commercial purposes, we should not base our calculation upon the prices of today, but upon the probable prices in the future when the crop will become marketable; at which time, to all appearance, there will be a much greater scarcity of forest products than now. It has been said that land which can be bought for a few dollars an acre is the only land where it is warrantable, in a commercial view, to plant forest trees; and that seems to be an aspect of the question which the advocates of forest planting in Massachusetts must meet. But by embellishing portions of our land, secured when prices are low, with woods intelligently cared for during a period of years, can we not have, in a reasonably short time, ornamental forests in the neighborhood of large cities, and near our towns, where the citizens can find agreeable resting places in their spare hours; with drives and walks well sheltered with foliage during the season when the days are longest, and the hours for pastime, and without business occupation, are most numerous? Often lands that are partially planted by nature can be secured, on which the existing growths may be guided, while new ornamental trees are added — these being so planted as to secure that improved effect and enhanced beauty which a wise mixing of different varieties must create.

No better bequest can the present generation leave to the next than well planted city and town grounds. It must be the best appearing towns, as well as the towns that can show the best financial management, that will take the lead in the future; and a combination of these two good points will decide for the citizen where he shall make his home.

By showing the comparative ease with which tree planting can be done we may hope to promote such results; but in this, as in all such work, we shall find that our efficiency as a Society de

pends largely upon our accommodations for satisfactorily displaying exhibits which may be made here, and the convenience with which our library can be consulted, and moreover ease in placing our exhibits and also good light in which to examine them are important requisites; consequently we require such halls and rooms as will best and most conveniently serve these various purposes. Thus, a hall on the ground floor and with ample windows, a library with good light and sufficient shelving, and in which quiet can be secured, and committee-rooms such as to allow the quiet consideration of questions of awards and management, are essentials. With such facilities the good work which has always been done here can be largely increased. It seems to be only a question of short time what shall be done to improve the present accɔmmodations.

How can we further aid in bringing about the general home embellishment of which we have spoken? It must be chiefly by increasing and promoting a love for the beautiful, and by fostering a desire to understand the process of formation and growth of our fine trees, shrubs, vines, and plants, that we may hope to materially increase the number of embellished homes in Massachusetts.

Again, by encouraging the judicious decorating and planting of all school-yard borders (aliowing ample play ground), and of grounds about all postoffices, railway stations, city and town halls, and all public buildings, where any decoration in this line is possible, we should be taking a foundation step towards the accomplishment of this desirable end. Consider the number of eyes that would then see and minds that would be led to think of the advantages of embellishing grounds; and consider the large proportion of persons who would sooner or later attempt to adapt to their own homes the suggested ideas.

The TRANSACTIONS of our Society for this season will contain valuable papers already presented; one relating to "Trees and Shrubs," by Mr. Levi W. Russell, and another on "Ornamental Climbing Plants," by Mr. John G. Barker. In addition, I would again call attention to Mr. Jackson Dawson's essay on the "Propagation of Trees and Shrubs from Seed," in our TRANSACTIONS for 1885.*

We hope also that gentlemen present will add the names

* Part I, pages 145-164.

and descriptions of desirable shrubs in the course of today's discussion. In view of all this information, there would seem no excuse for not knowing with what to embellish one's home grounds; at least wherever our publications shall reach.

I close with the following list and brief descriptions of what seem to me the most desirable trees for planting in Massachusetts, either for embellishment or for their utility as timber.

Acer saccharinum: Sugar Maple. Good as a forest or as an ornamental tree; will do well on rocky hill-sides, when once established.

Acer dasycarpum: White Maple. Naturally growing along river banks, but seeming to grow rapidly in almost any situation; does well as a street tree, but is easily broken by ice.

Acer platanoides: Norway Maple. A round-headed tree of medium size, suitable for shade or ornament; might be used in plantations.

Acer rubrum: Red Maple. Will grow on any soil, but seldom makes a large tree unless in moist ground.

Ailanthus glandulosus: Tree of Heaven. Where perfectly hardy will grow on almost any soil; wood excellent in grain for cabinet making.

Betula lenta: Black or Cherry Birch. Will grow on the poorest rocky soils; good for ornamental planting and also for fuel. Betula papyracea: Paper Birch. One of the most ornamental of the birches; a fine tree for large lawns or other plantations.

Betula alba: English White Birch. - A very beautiful ornamental tree. The variety populifolia, or American White Birch, will grow in the poorest of soils, and makes good fuel if cut and kept under cover, but rots if wet.

Betula nigra: Red or River Birch. -Grows naturally in low grounds, but is a fine ornamental tree in any good loam; fine for parks or plantations along streams.

Betula excelsa. This species is found far north, and in the mountains of Western Massachusetts; it grows on seemingly thin but moist soils; a fine tree for ornament or plantations.

Carpinus Caroliniana: Hornbeam.

well on sterile soil.

A small tree; does fairly

Carya alba: Shell-bark Hickory. Though growing in almost

all situations, does best in deep rich loams; good for timber or for ornament, and fine in groups in a park.

Carya sulcata: Western Shell-bark Hickory.-Like the common hickory as regards choice of soil.

Carya porcina: Pig-nut. One of the best of timber trees, useful and ornamental; slow-growing on poor soils.

Carya amara: Bitter-nut. Very rapid growing on moist soils, even where the soil is thin; very ornamental, either in groups or single.

Castanea vulgaris var. Americana:

American Chestnut. Does well on any soil that is well drained, either for timber plantations, parks, or roadside use.

Castanea pumila: Chinquapin, or Sweet Nut. - A mediumsized shrub here; fine as an undergrowth or on the edges of plantations, furnishing good food for game and also good for man.

Catalpa speciosa. - Highly prized in the West on account of its rapid growth, and its durability; fine also as an ornamental

tree.

Fagus ferruginea: American Beech. A fine tree for grouping in parks or pleasure grounds, and does well in a thin soil when once established; good for fuel.

Fagus sylvatica: English Beech.- Not so spreading as its American cousin, but nevertheless a good tree for ornament. Gleditschia triacanthos: Three-thorned Acacia. Rapid growing on any ordinary land; of fine foliage; good for ornamental planting or hedges.

Juglans cinerea: Butternut.-A rapid growing tree in good soil, valuable as timber and for ornamental planting; nuts edible. Juglans nigra: Black Walnut. - A first class tree for ornamental and useful work; requires to be planted in good loam while small.

Magnolia acuminata: Cucumber Tree.

A fine tree for lawns

or parks; neat in its appearance; it needs a deep sandy loam to do well.

Platanus occidentalis: Button Ball Tree. A fine ornamental tree; thrives fairly on medium land, but requires good treatment to make it grow to a large tree.

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Populus alba: Abele, or Silver-Leaved Poplar. A rapid growing tree; used in Great Britain for floors; is easily scoured