Massachusetts Horticultural Socitty. 393 



dahlias, viz. Queen of the Yellows, King of the Yellows, Widnall's 

 Jason, King of the Whites, Lady Grey, Agrippina, Marchioness of 

 Lothian, Springfield Rival, alha linihriuta, Pieta tbrinosissinia, Kose 

 d'Amour, Widnall's Chancellor and Granta, Blair des danics, Dennisii, 

 &c. &c. From Robert Milne, gardener to M. P. Sawyer, Portland, seed- 

 ling dahlias, two or three of which were very fine. From Messrs. 

 Hovey, double China asters, and dahlias ot several fine kinds. Flowers 

 from Thos. Mason. 



From John Heard, Watertown, St. Ghislain, Johonnot, and a kind of 

 pear the name unknown. From S. Downer, Marie Louise pears. From 

 R. Manning, Bleeker's gage plums and German prunes; Bergamot 

 Rouge, Summer Rose, Musksunnner Bon Chretien and Dearborn's seed- 

 ling pears. From Mr. Marsh, Quincy, Gushing pears. Johonnot pears 

 and a seedling from Williams's Bon Chretien (which the committee) 

 called Bartlett's seedling. Pears the name unknown, from Messrs. Win- 

 ship, from the garden of John Boyd, Newton. From D. Swan, Medford, 

 Williams's Bon Chretien pears. 



The Annual Exhibilion of the Society took place on Wednesday and 

 Thursday, the 16th and I7th of September, at the Odeon in Federal 

 street. This place is well suited to the purpose, and was decorated in a 

 style which reflects much credit upon the committee of arrangements. 

 The great height of the Odeon, and its peculiar form, prevented any such 

 display of magnificence and real picturesque beaut}^ as that of last year; 

 but when we speak of the true merit of the exhibition this season, it was 

 far before that of the last; indeed for choice and rare flowers, and for 

 new and excellent fruits it was much superior to the greatest anticipa- 

 tions. The decorations were few but exceedingly neat. The moveable 

 seats in what used to be the pit, were taken away, and a floor laid to pre- 

 vent the bad efiect of the descent towards the stage: all round this in 

 front of the first gallery, white pine trees were placed; and before this a 

 table, three feet wide, filled with flowers and fruits: the centre table run- 

 ning lengthwise, was also filled with fruit. On what was formerly the 

 stage, was erected five circular tables: on the centre one, the largest, was 

 formed a complete pyramid of flowers, at the top of which was two spikes 

 of the Queen's Strelitzia (S. regina) in beautiful bloom; on the outer 

 edge was placed dahlias and bouquets; three of the other tables were 

 filled with superb dahlias, a finer display of which was never made in 

 New England; the other with upwards of three hundred splendid double 

 China aster flowers, and many fine dahlias, among them that gorgeous 

 one, Levick's Incomparable. In the rear of all these tables, and forming 

 the back ground, was a mass of white pines and plants in pots. The 

 view upon entering was delightful and peculiarly striking. In front of 

 the second and third galleries was hung the beautiful paintings of the 

 society, festooned with flowers. The entrance passage was densely filled 

 on both sides with evergreens. 



During the two days, it was visited by upwards of three thousand per- 

 sons, embracing all the fashion and beauty of the city, every one seeming 

 perfectly gratified with the display. But the eft'ect of the exhibition by gas 

 light, was beautiful beyond description: and the crowd which thronged it 

 on the last evening seemed unwilling to leave the spot. The address, by 

 Prof. J. L. Russell, on Thursday, replete with interesting information, 

 was listened to by a numerous and respectable audience. 



The fruits were verj^ superior, and the great variety shown, gives 

 cheering evidence that the onward progress of Horticulture is vastly 

 rapid, and the zeal of cultivators undiminished. The sources of informa- 

 tion have become more numerous, and the means of advancing greatly 

 increased; and we may with pleasure anticipate the spread of a taste for 

 Horticulture and Floriculture which shall elevate these sister arts still 

 higher in the estimation of the public. 

 VOL. I. — NO. X. & 



