The Bay State Monthly, Volume 1, issue 1 | Page 3

all-engrossing
pursuits of his life. His inherent love of rural pursuits led him, in 1832,
to purchase his present estate in Dorchester, originally that of Governor
Increase Sumner, where, after devoting a proper time to business, he
has given his leisure to horticulture and agriculture He has spared no
expense, he has rested from no efforts, to instil into the public mind a
love of an employment so honorable and useful. He has cultivated his
own grounds, imported seeds, plants, and trees, and endeavored by his
example to encourage labor and elevate the rank of the husbandman.
His garden, greenhouses, and a forest of fruit-trees have occupied the
time he could spare from business, and here he has prosecuted his
favorite investigations, year after year, for half a century, to the present
day.
Soon after the Massachusetts Horticultural Society was formed, Mr.
Wilder was associated with the late General Henry A.S. Dearborn, its
first president, and from that time till now has been one of its most
efficient members, constantly attending its meetings, taking part in its
business and discussions, and contributing largely to its exhibitions.
Four years since, he delivered the oration on the occasion of its
semi-centennial. One of the most important acts of this society was the
purchase of Mount Auburn for a cemetery and an ornamental garden.
On the separation of the cemetery from the society, in 1835, through
Mr. Wilder's influence committees were appointed by the two
corporations, Judge Story being chairman of the cemetery committee,
and Mr. Wilder of the society committee. The situation was fraught
with great difficulties; but Mr. Wilder's conservative course,
everywhere acknowledged, overcame them all and enabled the society
to erect an elegant hall in School Street, and afterward the splendid
building it now occupies in Tremont Street, the most magnificent
horticultural hall in the world. It has a library which is everywhere
acknowledged to be the best horticultural library anywhere. In 1840, he
was chosen president, and held the office for eight successive years.
During his presidency the hall in School Street was erected, and two
triennial festivals were held in Faneuil Hall, which are particularly
worthy of notice. The first was opened September 11, 1845, and the
second on the fiftieth anniversary of his birth, September 22, 1848,

when he retired from the office of president, and the society voted him
a silver pitcher valued at one hundred and fifty dollars, and caused his
portrait to be placed in its hall. As president of this association he
headed a circular for a convention of fruit-growers, which was held in
New York, October 10. 1848, when the American Pomological Society
was formed. He was chosen its first president, and he still holds that
office, being in his thirty-third year of service. Its biennial meetings
have been held in New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Boston,
Rochester, St. Louis, Richmond, Chicago, and Baltimore; and it will
hold its next meeting in Detroit. On these occasions President Wilder
has made appropriate addresses. The last meeting was held, September,
1883, in Philadelphia, when his last address was delivered. In this
address, with his usual foresight, he proposed a grand reform in the
nomenclature of fruits for our country, and asked the co-operation of
other nations in this reform.
In February, 1849, the Norfolk Agricultural Society was formed. Mr.
Wilder was chosen president, and the Honorable Charles Francis
Adams, vice-president. Before this society his first address on
agricultural education was delivered. This was a memorable occasion.
There were then present, George N. Briggs, the governor, and John
Reed, the lieutenant-governor, of the State, Daniel Webster, Edward
Everett, Horace Mann, Levi Lincoln, Josiah Quincy, president of
Harvard University, General Henry A.S. Dearborn, Governor Isaac Hill,
of New Hampshire, the Reverend John Pierpont, Josiah Quincy, Jr.,
Charles Francis Adams, and Robert C. Winthrop,--of which galaxy of
eminent men, the last two only are now living. It was the first general
effort in that cause in this country. He was president twenty years, and
on his retirement he was constituted honorary president, and a
resolution was passed recognizing his eminent ability and usefulness in
promoting the arts of horticulture and agriculture, and his personal
excellence in every department of life. He next directed his efforts to
establishing the Massachusetts board of agriculture, organized as the
Massachusetts Central Board of Agriculture, at a meeting of delegates
of agricultural societies in the State, held at the State House, September,
1851, in response to a circular issued by him as president of the
Norfolk Agricultural Society. He was elected president, and held the

office till 1852, when it became a department of the State, and he is
now the senior member of that board. In 1858, the Massachusetts
School of Agriculture was incorporated, and he was chosen president;
but before the school was