20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



straw-color, not remarkably ornamental. Produced in abundance in Jnl)'. 

 Very pretty in a collection, but rarely met with. 



There have been many other new and rare plants exhibited, but the 

 Chairman has not been able to obtain good specimens for examination, 

 or to procure information from the exhibitors as to their growth and 

 habit. 



The most constant and largest contributor, during the season, has been 

 Antane Apple, to whom much credit is due for his constant and always 

 creditable exhibitions. Whether it has been a prize-day or not, his stand, 

 (one of the largest in the hall,) has always been full. 



It would conduce much to the interest and success of our exhibitions 

 could we have a little less pretended devotion to the interests of the Society, 

 and more real interest and earnest work in its behalf. It is anything but 

 creditable to the members to see a bare hall and rows of empty bottles, on 

 days when there is no chance of prizes or gratuities being awarded ; but on 

 prize days to see the stands filled with flowers, not only by gardeners, who 

 depend upon their flowers for their daily bread, (they are not to be blamed,) 

 but by those who certainly ought to be above mere mercenary considera- 

 tions. 



This has not happened by chance for the last few years, but must be the 

 result of deliberate intention. True, the Society is rich, and is able and 

 willing to reward those who contribute to the exiiibition ; each year her 

 prizes are larger than the year before, but she asks from her members a 

 little disinterested action, a little exertion for her credit, without expecting 

 pecuniary payment. For the past few years, both amateurs and gardeners 

 have in this acted alike ; they hold their plants and flowers in one hand 

 and extend the other for money ; thus, by action, saying, " pay us and we 

 will exhibit, otherwise we will not." 



There are a few honorable exceptions in both classes — would the ex- 

 ceptions were the rule. Such a spirit is not one by which the interests and 

 usefulness of the Society can be advanced. As one of the oldest horti- 

 cultural societies we have an example to set, an influence to exert, and a 

 mighty work to do. If we fail in our duty we cannot expect to preserve 

 our high position, or to prevent younger societies from excelling us. 

 Honesty, fair dealing, unselfish actions and disinterested endeavors should 

 be as highly appreciated in horticultural matters as in the daily concerns 

 of life. 



We trust another year may show that we are determined, as a Society, 

 to make our Exhibitions such as we shall have no reason to be ashamed 

 of; and to cause everything to be conducted in a manner which will bear 

 investigation. We have the means before us and within us — as a Society, 

 as individual members — we only need the will to do it. 



Fine contributions have been made during the seasoi^f by James Nugent, 

 Thomas G. Whytal, Messrs. Bowditch, William J. Underwood, Jonathan 

 French, Martin Trautman, G. G. Hubbard, and others. 



The Committee take great pleasure in presenting to the Society the fol- 

 lowing articles on the culture of several varieties of our finest ornamental 



