TRANSACTIONS OF THE Massachusetts Horticultural Society. BUSINESS MEETING. SATURDAY, April 6, 1895. A duly notified Stated Meeting of the Society was holden at eleven o'clock, the President, NATHANIEL T. KIDDER, in the chair. William C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee appointed at the last meeting to prepare a memorial of the late John J. Thomas, an Honorary Member of the Society, presented the following report: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DEATH OF JOHN J. THOMAS. It is not given to men engaged in the quiet industry of horticulture to arrest attention and startle the world by brilliant deeds or discoveries. The common lot with us is this, that we run our short race with average success, and then are gathered unto our fathers. Yet it is also true that such as these, who have with quiet faithfulness and marked ability acted well their part, have been of greatest service to mankind, and are entitled to lasting remembrance. Such a man was John J. Thomas of Union Springs, N. Y., who ceased from his long life of earthly usefulness on the 22d of February last. Born in 1810, on the shore of the beautiful Cayuga Lake, in the heart of the great agricultural and horticultural Empire State, he identified himself with these interests at an early age, and soon took rank as a leader. In the year 1839 he became a regular contributor to the "Cultivator," published at ! Albany, and upon the establishment of the "Country Gentleman" by Luther Tucker in 1853, he became associate editor, and held this important position for more than forty years, until compelled by ill health to resign in August last. During this long period he was unwearied in his writings, giving practical instructions in cultivation and suggestions as to buildings and farm machinery, with drawings from his own pencil, and replying to questions with unvarying patience and skill. During the same period he wrote "The American Fruit Culturist," a most comprehensive and authoritative work, which will be of enduring value; also a volume on "Farm Machinery," besides editing the nine volumes of "Rural Affairs," extending over twenty-seven years, their contents being indeed, chiefly from his pen and their many illustrations chiefly from his pencil. These writings were far from being the speculations of a theorist but rather were a record of the observation and experience of a man who came into actual contact with the soil. With him theory and practice went hand in hand. The smoothingharrow, the pruning shears, the sliding gate, jarring of plum trees for the curculio, sanitary arrangements for outhouses, and a multitude of other methods which he devised, were all suggested by his own necessities as an extensive orchardist and nurseryman. It was for this reason that his opinions were regarded as of such practical value and were so constantly sought and prized. It is not easy to estimate the wide influence which Mr. Thomas thus exerted throughout the country. But his interest was not limited to rural pursuits. His was a well-rounded character, active in all social, educational, moral, and religious questions of the day. With uniform kindliness, sterling integrity, and recognized sagacity, he gave expression to his views and widely influenced public opinion. When some great military captain is gone we recount his brilliant deeds of arms. When an eloquent statesman has run his course we magnify his masterly service. Shall we put a less value upon the work of him who in the quiet and unobtrusive walks of life has yet been a mighty power for good in all our wide land? Mr. Thomas was elected an Honorary Member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in 1856. In the closing of this earthly life of our fellow-worker and friend this Society desires to express to his family its deep sympathy with them in their loss. May it not also join with them in grateful acknowledgment to the Author of all being in the remembrance of the noble and useful life of our brother? WILLIAM C. STRONG, O. B. HADWEN, ROBERT MANNING, Committee. The memorial was unanimously adopted. The Annual Report of the Committee on Plants was read by the Secretary, accepted, and referred to the Committee on Publication. The President, as Chairman of the Executive Committee reported from that Committee a recommendation that the Society appropriate $50 to defray the expense of the first volume of "Photographs and Descriptions of Old Trees of New England," prepared by the Committee on Large, Old, or Otherwise Interesting Trees. The appropriation was unanimously voted. The amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws, ordered by a majority vote, at the Stated Meeting on the first Saturday in January, to be entered on the records, came up for further action. William C. Strong moved that the Constitution and By-Laws be taken up de novo, and be amended according to the report of the majority of the Committee on that subject, with certain changes which he proceeded to state. The majority report of the Committee on the Constitution and By-Laws, as thus amended, was read twice, and by a majority vote ordered to be entered on the records, and laid over for consideration at the Stated Meeting on the first Saturday in July. It was also voted that these proposed amendments be printed and distributed. The following motion, offered by Leonard Thompson, was unanimously carried: That the plan of the Rumford Historical Association in erecting a pillar marking the spot of the discovery of the Pecker, or, later named, Baldwin apple is approved as worthy by this Society. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society were on ballot duly elected: MRS. C. S. HATCH, of North Cambridge, |