372 Horticultural Societies. 



have been quite decapitated, where they had abundance of room and nour- 

 ishment, and where they were most required, — for instance, some in the 

 vicinity of Franklin square, with beautiful healthy heads, have been cut 

 entirely down ; and on making inquiry for the cause, the perpetrators of this 

 outrage on common sense, could give none, but just that somebody said they 

 must be cut down, for why, we could not discover. 



Now, sir, I have been taught, and believe, that the evaporation caused by 

 capillary attraction from amputated limbs of trees, is much more injurious 

 to them than the evaporation from their leaves during hot sunshine ; and 

 hence, even were it necessary to the well-being of the trees, this circum- 

 stance of excessive elaboration could afford no pretext for such unseasonable 

 pruning ; — in fact, after much inquiry and cogitation, we are quite unable to 

 discover the slightest reason why it is done. Nor can any plausible reason 

 be assigned, by the ignoramuses employed in this barbarous business, for 

 pollarding the trees to the top, like a lady's parasol stuck on a liberty pole ; 

 for had the object been to prevent excessive evaporation from the surface of 

 the leaves, or to reduce the head for other causes, surely a very different 

 method of pruning — if primed they must be, at this season — would have been 

 more conducive to the end in view. — Respectfully yours, Ci vitas. Boston, 

 July 24, 1852. 



Art. III. Horticultural Societies. 



Annual Exhibition of the American Institute. — The premium lists 

 of the Agricultural, Horticultural, and Floral departments, of this flour- 

 ishing association, have been issued; and we are gratified to see the 

 increasing interest which is manifested in the culture of fruits, flowers, and 

 vegetables. The premiums are more in number, and of larger amount, 

 than in previous years ; and we should suppose that an active competition 

 ■would be the result. We have not room for the whole list, but we annex 

 the following: — 



FRUITS. 



Collections. — For the best collection of fruit, of all kinds, silver 



cup, . . . . . . . . $15 00 



For the second best, the same, . . . . .10 00 



For the third best, ..... Silver medal. 



Apples. — For the greatest variety, silver cup, . . . 8 00 



For the second best, . • Silver medal and three other prizes. 



Pears. — For the greatest number, a silver cup, silver medal, and five 



other prizes. 

 Grapes. — Four silver medals and eight other prizes ; with numerous 

 prizes for other fruits. 



FLOWERS. 



Dahlias. — For the largest and best display, silver cup, . . $15 00 



For the second best, the same, . . . . . 10 00 



