FLOWER committee's REPORT. 15 



pretty ; Doodia caudata, fine fern ; Adiantum formosum, a fine specimen ; 

 Caladium pictum, fine. 



William T. Merrifield : Arundo donax varium, very pretty; Dioscorea 

 zebrina; Aphelandra Roi Leopold, fine; Croton pictum and variegatum, 

 always fine ; Marantas bicolor, eximia, Warscewicsii, Liniata alba and 

 rosea, all good; Aspedistra elatior foliis variegata ; Echites picta, always 

 pretty; Farfugium grande; Begonia argentea splendens, and many others; 

 Bilbergia acanlis zebrina, curious; Arum bicolor; and a fine display of 

 ferns and lycopods. 



Two pretty variegated native plants — Goodyria pubescens and Chemo- 

 phila variegata — were shown by Dennis Murray. Also, a huge specimen 

 of the very rare fungus, Sparassis crispa. We learn from good authority 

 that this is the first specimen ever discovered in this vicinity. 



A very severe frost, on the night of September 28th, put a sudden stop 

 to all floral exhibitions. Nothing has, since then, been shown at the hall 

 worthy of notice, if we except a very fine and rare orchid, exhibited Octo- 

 ber 27th, by Edward S. Rand — a good specimen of Coelogyne Wallechiana, 

 in profuse bloom. This rare plant has, we believe, never been bloomed or 

 exhibited in this vicinity. 



During the past season many of the plants offered for premium have 

 possessed points of superior merit ; but others have fallen far below the 

 standard, and in many cases, as will be seen by reference to the prize lists, 

 the prizes have been withheld. This course, though exceedingly unpopular 

 with exhibitors, — many of whom imagine themselves entitled to a premium 

 because they are the only ones competing, though their flowers may be 

 very inferior, — should be persistently followed by the Flower Committee, as 

 thus only can the standard of excellence be maintained, and poor and in- 

 ferior plants and flowers be excluded from our exhibitions. 



The schedule of prizes offered this past year has proved popular, mainly 

 because it appropriated more money, and distributed it more widely. It 

 has proved advantageous, because, by offering fixed prizes for each weekly 

 exhibition, the hall has always presented an appearance creditable alike to 

 the Society and the exhibitors. 



We now pass to the review of the season. 



Camellias have not been exhibited worthy of the prizes, which were 

 accordmgly withheld. Why is it, that when all our greenhouses are filled 

 w-ith the finest varieties, we never can have a decent exhibition of camel- 

 lias ? If there was no ambition to excel, surely the prize is sufficient pecu- 

 niary inducement. 



Ericas : Not a plant has been shown worthy of notice, if we except one 

 from G. G. Hubbard at the annual exhibition. It is a disgrace to our florists 

 that these beautiful plants are so neglected. 



Epacris: Some fine kinds were shown by Gustave Evers, but not in 

 sufficient numbers to merit the prizes. We know of fine collections of this 

 beautiful tribe of plants near Boston. 



Greenhouse azaleas : As on previous years, the best came from William 

 Wales ; still, this year's show was far inferior to those of former years, and 



