Editorial Notes. 



JtlKxIoileudroii Show <tt Honton. 



The Rhododendron show on Boston Common was a sight never to be forgotten — 

 the finest in colors and display of choice varieties this country has ever beheld. It 

 was with considerable difficulty the bare privilege was secured from the common 

 council, to exhibit upon the Common ; and next, it was believed to be almost impos- 

 sible to transport and successfully flower so many plants as would be needed to pro- 

 duce the desired effect. Thanks, however, to the untiring energy of Mr. H. H. Hun- 

 newell, Charles S. Sargent and E. S. Rand, jr., every difficulty was surmounted, and 

 for the entire month of June the denizens of that city saw a collection of Azaleas and 

 Rhododendrons of rare value and great beauty. The plants were mainly the prop- 

 erty of Mr. Hunnewell, who appropriated from his private purse the sum of ten thou- 

 sand dollars to defray the expenses of the exhibition. Although a nominal price was 

 charged the public for admission, yet it did not altogether pay the expense. 



Two large tents were erected, one about 60 by 100 feet, the other 100 by 300 feet, 

 and the plants transplanted from their native home and conservatories of Mr. Hun- 

 newell and Mr. Sargent, and placed in the natural soil of the Common. Within the 

 tents were laid out, first, an avenue of 100 feet in length, bordered with Palms and 

 rare Ferns; this led to th§ Rhododendron beds and w;ilks. In the center of the 

 large tent were three raised beds; the first, 15 by 30 feet; the second, 50 by 80 

 feet; the third, 15 feet in diameter. Walks also surrounded all the beds, which 

 were also lined with specimen plants. Imagine all this space and beds filled solidly 

 with masses of Rhododendrons in full bloom, bearing flowers of most royal size, and 

 delicate as well as glowing and brilliant colors, and it would seem to be but a vision 

 of the garden of Paradise. 



We made careful notes of the best specimens, and their names, and they are here- 

 with annexed. We only premise this statement by saying, that most of them are fit 

 for in-door greenliouse culture only, many being but just imported from the Knapp. 

 Hill nursery of Anthony Waterer, Woking, England. Those, however, bearing a 

 double star (**) are considered by Mr. Rand perfectly hardy for outdoor culture. 



Scipio — Trained in tree form, five feet high; color, deep pink on edge; center, 

 light pink. 



Concessiori — Trained in bush form ; petals, pink edge ; white center. 



** Everest iammi — Purple edge; light pink center; very profuse bloomer; the 

 hardiest variety we have. 



Brayarmm — Tree form ; deep pink petals. 



Alarm — Bush form ; scarlet and white stripes. 



Privity — Bush form ; profuse, white. 



** Album elegam — Very large bush ; white, slightly tinged with blush. 



Mrs Halford — Bush, three feet ; immensely prolific ; bright pink flowers ; trusses 

 very large, very tender. 



