so STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



owing to its being the earliest flowering of all the Magnolias, as also from the 

 matchless whiteness of its flowers. If placed in contrast with evergreens or the' 

 Forsythia viridissima, which begins blooming at nearly the same time, its 

 effect is almost startling. It has aptly been christened " Chandelier," for there 

 is nothing to compare with it in lighting up the landscape of early spring. Its 

 flowers are large, white, and extremely numerous, often numbering thousands 

 on a single tree. 



Magnolia souJangeaim. This fine variety is a hybrid of the cons<picua and the 

 purpurea. While in general habit it closely resembles the former, it lacks its 

 wonderful effectiveness, owing to the flower being tinged with purple. Coming 

 in blossom, however, a few days later, the flowers are not so liable to injury 

 from the late spring frosts in the Northern States. Perhaps the Soidangeana 

 has been more disseminated in this country than any other variety. 



Magtiolia Norhertiana. It is also a hybrid between the coiispiam and the 

 purpurea. It differs from the varieties previously mentioned, in its flowers 

 being much darker, and, therefore, we regard it as superior to the Soulangeana. 

 This variety is still scarce. 



Magnolia Lenne. The Lenne seems to be closely related to the Norhertiana, 

 and is doubtless of similar parentage. In color it is darker, and in size some- 

 what larger. It is a decided acquisition. 



Magnolia speciosa. In habit of growth this variety resembles the Soulatige- 

 ana. The flowers are smaller and of a lighter color. They also come into 

 bloom a few days later, and continue some days longer than any of the other 

 sorts. It is a remarkably profuse bloomer. For florists it is the best for cut 

 flowers. 



Magnolia purpurea (Chinese purple.) The Obovata is a charming dwarf 

 variety, hardly ever seen over five or six feet high. It has showy purple flow- 

 ers, and blooms in the latter part of May or in early June. 



Magnolia rutra (Chinese red.) This is a variety of the preceding, of more 

 slender and erect habit, with larger flowers of a deep purple color. 



TREE AND HERBACEOUS PJEONIES. 



Mr. W. C. Barry, from the same committee, presented the following report: 



Two artists there are — the writer and the painter — whose duty it is, each 

 from his own standpoint and after his own manner, to describe and picture 

 facts and objects so that they may be at once and unmistakably realized and 

 recognized by minds of all capacities. But all will acknowledge that the value 

 of their means for this work are not to be compared. The painter has at hand 

 the inexhaustible resources of his palette, which enable him to represent colors 

 and forms the most diverse, while he at the same time addresses himself to the 

 most powerful organs which realize the slightest shades and appreciate the 

 differences between them. On the other hand, the writer has at his disposal 

 but a few technical terms insuflicient to express his ideas — which ought to be 

 palpable, materialized, so to speak. These terms, of which the signification is 

 very limited, can not give expression to an unlimited number of things, the 

 harmony of which exists in the depth of striking contrasts, which the most 

 gifted of painters accomplish only with the greatest difficulty ; while the writer 

 sinks beneath his task, and is only prompted to do his best, trusting that the 

 fancies of his readers will add the finishing touches which the brain imagines, 

 but to which language can not give utterance. 



Fully impressed with the difficult task of attempting a description of these 



