16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the second prize only was awarded. This plant is receiving' more attention 

 from our gardeners, as it richly deserves. 



Parlor bouquets have, during the season, been entirely neglected ; none 

 have been exhibited except at the annual exhibition. Hand bouquets have 

 been but little better ; few have been shown, and those mostly by James 

 Nugent, James McTear, and Martin Trautman, whose bouquets are always 

 good. 



Show pelargoniums : Exhibited only by Messrs. Hovey and William C. 

 Strong. Those of the former excelled in profusion of bloom ; those of the 

 latter in beauty of growth, habit, and form. 



To fancy pelargoniums the same remarks apply. 



Fuchsias have been wholly neglected. Some new varieties, chiefly those 

 with double corolla, have been shown. It is doubtful whether this is an 

 improvement, and whether we shall ever have a fuchsia which for real 

 beauty will excel the old Globosa. 



Calceolarias and cinerarias have not been shown. The same may be 

 said of greenhouse verbenas, of which we have seen no new imported 

 seedlings which are worthy of mention. The sudden fincy for ferns and 

 variegated begonias seems to have taken attention from these formerly 

 popular show plants. Half a dozen plants of verbenas were shown at the 

 opening exhibition by William H, Spooner, Jr. — well grown, but unfortu- 

 nately not in bloom, requiring some ten days' sun to make them show 

 plants. 



Greenhouse plants, as may be gathered from our extended notices, have 

 never been better. Great variety and fine specimens have been the fea- 

 tures of our exhibitions. 



Orchids have been seldom exhibited. We have fine collections in the 

 vicinity of Boston, but amateurs are unwilling to expose choice and tender 

 plants in our changing climate, and to the uncertain care of an exhibition 

 hall. These plants should be seen in the hothouse. 



Cut flowers have been unusually fine. Never has our hall appeared so 

 well, never has the quantity been so great, the varieties so numerous, or so 

 many rare plants been shown. It would be claiming too much to say we 

 have had no poor exhibitions, but we certainly have had none which would 

 not be far superior to the best of former years. 



Great credit is due to Joseph Breck for his large and varied exhibitions, 

 for which, though they have often held the first rank, he has constantly 

 refused to accept either premium or gratuity. 



Dennis Murray has made large displays of native plants, and has shown 

 specimens of everything the woods or fields aiFord. Like King Solomon 

 of old, he professes an acquaintance with every plant, " from the cedar tree 

 which is in Lebanon, even to the hyssop which ffroweth out of the wall;" 

 and we should judge the greater portion of his friends have been on exhi- 

 bition in the bottles of the Society during the past season. Some were 

 very rough-locking customers, others very modest and pretty, and all have 

 a botanical interest. He has also shown his friends as pressed specimens. 



