8 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETr, 



With these few preliminary remarks, let us at once proceed to a review 

 of the season. 



On the day assigned for the award of prizes for Camellias, (Saturday, 

 January 15th), there were none exhibited, -nhich, in the opinion of the 

 Committee, Mere worthy of the prizes, which were accordingly withheld. 



About the middle of February, some fine blooms were shown by Messrs. 

 Hovey, for which a suitable gratuity was awarded ; with this exception, 

 there have been no displays of Camellias worthy of notice. 



The new white seedling Camellia, for the past three years exhibited by 

 James McTear, fully sustains its previous reputation, but the Committee 

 were unable to award to it the prize of the Lowell gold medal, because it 

 ■was only introduced and not originated by Mr. McTear. 



The fcliowing is Mr. McTear's description of tlie flower and plant: — 



E, S. Ra>d, JiJ., Esq.. Chairman of Flower Committee — 



Seedling Camellia, No. 1. Flowers, average size; pure white, without 

 any of that yellow tinge so common to the old kinds. In form it is very 

 superior, the flowers being round, high, and perfect in the centre, double 

 and imbricated. The petals are thick, smooth, broad and well rounded, 

 without notch or serrature. The plant is a vigorous grower, with broad 

 glossy leaves, a free bloomer, and very constant, never showing an imper- 

 fect flower. 



It has been exhibited before the Massachusetts Horticultural Society for 

 the past three years, and received favorable notice ; and gardeners and 

 amateurs who have seen it on the plant, unanimously declared it to be the 

 finest white Camellia yet raised. Exquisite form, great substance of petal, 

 and purity of color, are its leading characteristics, James McTear. 



In regard to this Camellia great difference of opinion exists among the 

 Committee ; they have, therefore, by a majority vote, awarded a small 

 gratuity to Mr. McTear for its introduction, leaving the future to decide 

 upon the qualities and true merits of the flower. 



Mr. Hovey has informed the Chairman of the Comir.ittee that in the 

 Report of the Flower Committee for 1858, a mistake was made in noticing 

 his seedling Camellia ; it was reported as " first exhibition," AvhereaS it 

 was the fourth season ; this seedling we believe has not been exhibited 

 this year; it is a novel variety, the only imperfection being the small size 

 of the flowers; this has been the case with all we have seen, but it may 

 have been owing to the prevailing fault of allowing a small plant to expand 

 too many blossoms. 



Buist's seedling Camellia, " Fair Ellen," Avas once shown by Messrs. 

 Hovey ; the specimen flower was small and in poor condition, being a forced 

 bloom ; and from this it is unfair to write a description ; the opinion of the 

 Committee is accordingly withheld till they have an opportunity of judging 

 from perfect specimens. 



During the past season the show of Ericas has been very poor, indeed 

 none worthy of special notice have been shown ; it is a cause for regret 



