32 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



of the more recently introduced kiiui.-!. ]Mr. Manning is ze;donsly devoted 

 to tlie cnltivation of pears, and has used great exertions to collect together al! 

 those that are truly valualile. 



The liartlett, Seckle, Capiauniont and other Pears exhihited were very 

 fine. Some lloyal Charlotte Peaches, from Mrs. Bigelow, of Medford, were 

 jrreatly admired, as also the rich baskets of fruit contributed by S. G. Perkins 

 iind T. li. Perkins, Esqrs. A plate of Figs, from .John Lowell, Esq., in |)er- 

 fect maturity, had a rich appearance. The Fig is much more deserving of 

 cultivation than many other fruits, and we have no doubt, ere long, they will 

 be grown in houses erected, exclusively for their management. 



The exhibitions at the Society's rooms, since the anniversary, have not 

 been very attractive ; we give them in order, naming, however, only those 

 fruits and other ])roductions, which will be of interest to our readers. 



September 27th. Erhibiteil. — Washington and Bourre Knox Pears, by 

 Hon. John Lowell; Morris's Luscious White Peach, by Mr. E. Vose, (tine 

 specimens ofwiiich have been exhibited several seasonsin succession, by the 

 same gentleman). Washington, Bezi Montignyand Raymond Pears; Royal 

 George Clingstone Peaches; Yellow Ingestre, Ramliuur Franc and Api 

 Noir Ap|)les ; Italian Prune and Late Green Plums, by R. Manning, Esq., 

 Salem. Bezy Vaet, ]5eurre Knox, Rnshmore Bon chretien, Beurre Diel, 

 Lowell, lleailicot, Fulton and Andrews Pears, l)y Mr. Samuel Downer, Dor- 

 chester. Some fine Jaques Peaches, by E. M. Richards, Dedliam. A large 

 Peach, from Messrs. Winship, accompanied with oi>e of Mr. Knight's new 

 pears (name urd<.iio\vn). This exhibition was the finest at the Society's room 

 this season. 



The display of flowers, especially Georginas, was by far the most rich and 

 profuse, we have observed at any ])revious exhibition. Mr. E. Putnam, ol 

 Sakm, |)resented fitly-three varieties of the Georgina ; the most beautiful 

 were Belladona, Maculata and Amanda; fifteen varieties from M.P. Wilder, 

 Esq., among which was Siilphureum majestuin, Pictaand Burleigh's William 

 IV; a large variety of new and choice ones from th(! Botanic Garden; fifteen 

 varieties from S. Walker, Roxbury; the most prominent were Matilda, King 

 of the Whites, and Earl Grey; Mr. Walker i)resented a number of pretty 

 seedlings of tlie Viola, which is now becoming a favorite flower. Messrs. 

 Hovey exhibited some new and rare, beautiful j)lants, among wl:ich were 

 Lopiiosperum erubescens, Calampelis scabra, and Rlaiaandia semperfloreus, 

 (elegant annual climbers). Flowers, in variety, from Messrs. Winship. 



October 4th. Exhibited.— RonvUle, Beurre Knox, Heathcot, and Buffain 

 Pears; New York White Clingstone and Melacoton Peaches, from R. Man- 

 ning, Esq., Salem. Fine Ca])iaumont Pears, from S. Downer. Pears from 

 Messrs. Pond, Heard, and others. Reinette Baumann Ajiples, from William 

 Kenrick. From Thomas Hastings, East Cambridge, a seedling Peach, very 

 fine; (the committee named this iriiit Hastings Clingstone). Fine Peaches 

 and Grajjcs, ti-om T. Lee, Esq., Brookline. Plums and Quinces, from S. 

 Pond, Cambridgeport. Some new Pears, from the Hon. John Lowell. 



Presented. — Some specimens of Arrow Root, (Maranta arundinacea) 

 brought from St. Helena, — where it is cultivated in great })erfection, — and 

 presented to the Society by J. L. Russell, Esq., Professor of Botany. They 

 were accom|)anied with a letter from Mr. Russell, from which we make the 

 following extract : — 



"The value of this ])lant, as an article of medicine and of commerce, is 

 well known. I am informed that successful attempts have heretofore been 

 made in the Southern States, towards its cultivation. As to the particular 

 species, which I present you, J camir>t decide, there being four used in Ma- 

 teria Medica, and as articles of food ; suffice it to say, that, as to its quality, it 

 is equal to the very best cultivated. I presume that by preserving the roots 



