10 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Fuchsias have been very superior ; specimen plants of enormous size 

 have been exhibited, and many new varieties introduced. The new varie- 

 ties with a double corolla are valuable only as varieties in a collection ; 

 and the white corolla varieties seem never to have been favorites, their weak 

 habit and slender growth unfitting them for specimen plants. The most 

 popular varieties seem to be, Prince Arthur, Duchess of Lancaster, Gem 

 of the Season, Glory, Fair Oriana, Venus de Medicis, Etoile de Nord, 

 Souvenir de Chiswiclc, Prince of Wales, Psyche; and for winter blooming, 

 serratifolia. The chief contributors have been William Wales, Wm. C. 

 Strong, Thos. G. Whytal, Gustave Evers, and Edward S. Rand. 



The only contributors of Calceolarias have been Gustave Evers, to whom 

 the first prize was awarded, Antane Apple, and Messrs. Hovey; there has 

 been no improvement, and perhaps but little can be expected. 



The Shrubby Calceolarias have been frequently exhibited during the 

 season in stands of cut flowers; they are worthy a place in every flower 

 garden. 



Cinerarias have been seldom shown ; some few seedlings of little merit 

 and a few old varieties, comprising the exhibitions. Messrs. Hovey, at the 

 opening, exhibited the best, which, however, were only deemed worthy of 

 the lowest prize ; the others not being awarded. 



For the first time and merely as an experiment, a prize was ofi'ered for 

 Verbenas in pots, and most magnificent specimens were exhibited by Ed- 

 ward S. Rand ; some of the plants were nearly three feet in diameter, and 

 covered with bloom. To the satisfaction of all, it has been proved that 

 verbenas can be grown as specimen plants. The kinds best suited for this 

 purpose are, for large specimens. Sir Joseph Paxton, Annie, General Simp- 

 son, Celestial, Glory of America, Brilliant de Vaise, Imperatrice Elizabeth; 

 for small specimens, Mrs. Holford, Rosy Gem, Standard Bearer, Evening 

 Star, Vicomptesse Emylin, and the other weak-growing " eyed" varieties. 



In Greenhouse Plants there has been a slow but steady improvement ; 

 the new variegated-leafed plants, now so popular in England, are becoming 

 better known and are more generally cultivated. In begonias and Gesne- 

 rias there has been a very decided improvement, though as yet the plants 

 shown have been too small to be honored with the name of " specimens." 

 At the opening of the Hall, a few fine Orchids were shown, and we know 

 of two choice collections within a few miles of Boston ; the taste for the 

 cultivation of this extraordinary tribe of plants is far from general, though 

 all must admire the singular beauty of the gorgeous flowers. To those 

 who may wish to preserve these flowers with thtir colors, a thing hitherto 

 deemed impossible, it is suggested to try a mixture of glycerine and water ; 

 this may be effectual, as it has been known to preserve the colors of fishes, 

 which are quite as evanescent as those of plants. 



A taste seems to be developing for the cultivation of Ferns and Mosses, 

 and is deserving of every encouragement. A little more attention to these 

 cryptogamous or flowerless plants would be rewarded by a new develop- 

 ment of beauty ; it is a field well worthy the exploration of amateurs, and 

 one in which they could scarce fail to reap a rich harvest of delight. To 



