EXHIBITIONS, 1922 13 



schedule for 1923 and it is now in the hands of the printer. In the 

 preparation of this schedule your Committee on Exhibitions wishes 

 to acknowledge the material assistance rendered by the Chairman 

 of the Committee on Plants and Flowers, the Chairman of the 

 Committee on Fruits, and the Chairman of the Committee on 

 Vegetables. 



At the suggestion of your President, Mr. Burrage, a special 

 exhibition of wild flowers and wild ferns, native to New England, 

 was announced for May 3-11, the object being to familiarize the 

 people with our native flowers and plants, and to stimulate the 

 desire for their protection and preservation. 



Practically speaking, in the common parlance of the day, it was a 

 one man show. Preparations were begun more than a year in 

 advance and collections were made from all quarters of New Eng- 

 land, from the Cape to the mountains. Our enterprising President, 

 Mr. Burrage, with his active and competent corps of assistants, 

 really performed a miracle. By forcing some plants and retarding 

 others, over a long period of time, asters and cardinal flowers were 

 made to bloom mth may flowers and hepaticas. 



The installation of this exhibition was a masterpiece. It was so 

 well done that visitors were impressed with a consciousness of being 

 "back to nature," The main hall was transformed into a moun- 

 tain gorge. At the further end an eighteen foot high waterfall 

 came tumbling over a rocky bed into a large and shadowy pool. 

 It was backed and nearly surrounded by a most natural looking 

 forest of conifers, and great masses of ferns. From the pool a 

 brook flowed under a rustic bridge and on through the central 

 glade. Pine needle covered-paths led from one fascinating point 

 to another. All the ferns, native to New England, were growing 

 there in natural surroundings and made one of the most attractive 

 and instructive features. Then there were dogwoods, high and 

 low bush blueberries, marsh marigolds and bayberries, all in full 

 flower and all smiling and happy with their unusual neighbors, an 

 assemblage such as, in all probability, will never come together 

 again. It was a most beautiful and fascinating place, and aroused 

 a most unwonted enthusiasm with the public which was manifested 

 by the extraordinary and unparalleled attendance. Such was its 

 popularity the exhibition was kept open until May 14. The turn- 



