16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



John S. Ames put up a natural arrangement of Kurume azaleas 

 with rockwork, water, and a dark green background, affording an 

 excellent opportunity to individualize the plants and bring out 

 harmonious color effects. 



The Messrs. Farquhar arranged a neat group of Kalmias and 

 Polyanthus in the front vestibule. They kept in first-class condi- 

 tion throughout the show. Lists of other exhibits may be found in 

 the special awards appended to this report. 



On April 23 an exhibition of native New England orchids was 

 arranged by President Burrage and scheduled for two days only, but 

 so great was the attraction that it was kept open a week longer. 

 This was probably the most successful exhibition from the viewpoint 

 of attendance the Society has ever held. The paucity of attend- 

 ance at some of our later exhibitions, where indoor flowers were the 

 feature, may be an indication that the "outdoors" is becoming 

 more and more an attraction and outdoor gardening is to become 

 the gardening of the future. It will be no misfortune if it does. 

 Native trees and even blueberry bushes and water were skilfully 

 used so as to give almost the seclusion of native woods, and the 

 plantings were natural. It was a remarkable achievement to 

 bring so many species in bloom at one time, as many of them do not 

 bloom naturally until late in the season. 



May 28. The May Show was too late for lilacs scheduled for 

 this date. A novel feature of the show was the exhibit of miniature 

 rock gardens. Three entries were made, each covering a space 

 3 X 2| feet, filled with wild plants and flowers. 



June 4. At the Rhododendron Show held this date the Arnold 

 Arboretum exhibited a new hybrid rhododendron named Anne- 

 licsac, a cross between R. arboresccns and R. calendulaccum. It was 

 fairly intermediate in character but interesting only as showing 

 what may be expected from this cross. From the Arnold iVrbore- 

 tum came Rhododendron holmleaense {R. discolor X R- catcnchicnse) , 

 a very handsome hybrid raised by Charles Sander. T. C. Thur- 

 low's Sons, Inc., of West Newbury showed a new rhododendron 

 named Wm. P. Rich. It is a very pretty, late, pink-tinted variety, 

 evidently closely related to the variety delicatissimum, white. 



There were also interesting collections of herbaceous flowers. 



June 18 was the date assigned for the Peony Show but it was 



