1874, BOSTON, MASS., HOKTICULTUEAL 

 EXHIBITION. 



In my exposition of facts connected with horticulture 

 I have forgotten some, of which I have been remembered 

 accidentally by coming across some medals awarded 

 to me by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



In 1874, for instance: a silver medal for a collection 

 of AgarcB ! for which to-day, the same society would 

 not probably allow one to exhibit, but would rather, if 

 compelled to do it, offer a gold one to keep the collec- 

 tion at home. 



Why ? I cannot very well explain that eccentric idea, 

 except by some round-about way, circumlocutory com- 

 parisons, e. g. y why are the camellias since a few years 

 ostracised f f Is it because they might engender Mi- 

 crobs ? or because they are not ornamental euough, or 

 too common, like the Crotons f Or likely for some 

 other futile unavowable reason, that some know but 

 will not divulge, because the confession would not be 

 very creditable 



