36 Supplement to Exhibitions of Horticultural Societies. 



Fourth Annual Exhibition. — An account of the Fourth Annual Exhi- 

 bition of the Columbian Horticultural Society has been delayed by causes 

 which it is not necessary to mention. This delay, however, will not, it is 

 hope, lessen its interest to those who take a pleasure in horticultural 

 pursuits, or in the advancement of an art so conducive to the comfort, 

 gratification and sustenance of mankind. The fourth Annual Exhibition 

 of the Society was held on t!ie 7th and 8th of June last, in the splendid 

 saloon of Signor Carusi, which from its syiaciousness, afforded an op- 

 portunity to display to great advantage the floral and other productions of 

 the garden, and the Committee of arrangements did not fail to manifest their 

 usual taste and industry in the decoration and embellishment of the room. 

 It was indeed a beautiful spectacle, which all seemed to enjoy, and with 

 which none could avoid being delighted. " Music," say the Committee, 

 in their report, " which seems to be indispensable to such exhibitions, 

 added its cheerful sounds to the harmonious notes of the mocking and 

 Canary birds that charmed the perfumed atmosphere with their melo- 

 dy." The visiters were numerous and respectable, and the collections 

 made on the first day exceeded those taken on the first day of any for- 

 mer exhibition of the Societ3^ To the great disappointment of many 

 who had delayed their visit to the last evening, the weather was so show- 

 ery, daring the whole of the second day, that they could not attend. 

 " Not a single mark of disapprobation," observe the Committee, " is 

 known to have been made by any of the numerous assembly ; and every 

 visiter seemed to enjoy the rich treat it was the study and pride of the 

 Committee to provide for all." Among the interesting spectacles on the 

 second day was the appearance of the orphans of the Asylums of 

 Georgetown and Washington, conducted by their teachers, who par- 

 took of a sumptuous repast of strawberries and other refreshments 

 generously provided on the occasion by a patroness of the Society, 

 whose ardor in the cause is equalled only by her benevolence. These 

 interesting oI)jects of charity then united their infant voices in a song of 

 praise to the Author of all good, and retired delighted with their visit. 

 It is due to those ladies who so kindly volunteered their valuable ser- 

 A'ices, to state that the arrangement of the cut flowers in the small pyra- 

 mids, vases and stands, was their exclusive work; and the Committee 

 remark that " they would be doing great violence to their feelings did 

 they withhold the warmest expression of praise and approbation so justly 

 due to the young ladies, to whom they were also indebted for so many 

 of the sweetest and most admired ornaments of the room."* Greater 

 unanimity and anxiety to excel each other existed among the contribu- 

 tors than on any former occasion, and the display of floral beauty was 

 therefore more splendid in the collection of rare, valuable, and curious 

 plants than it ever had before been. Among the rare plants were 

 fine specimens of tea, India rubber, cactuses, camphor tree, sago plants, 

 coral tree, silver tree of New Holland, several curious New Holland 

 acacias, heaths, &c. The florists also exhibited the largest and finest 

 collection of geraniums that had ever before been seen at the shows of 

 the Society ; a great variety of China and new hybrid roses, some of 

 great beauty ; fine large plants of the Camellm japonica, raised in this 

 District from seed, and by inarching ; a variety of calceolaris ; some 

 superior dahlias in fine bloom ; and of native plants, some very delicate 

 orchises, ferns, mosses, &.c. The large contributors on this occasion 

 were Messrs, Peirce, Douglass, Buist, Dr. McWilliams, Dr. Gunnell, 

 Mr R, Dick, Mr. Hoppe, Mr, Fulmer, &c. of the District ; Messrs. 

 John and Samuel Feast, of Baltimore. 



* These young ladies were tlie Misses Mear), Morrell, Cox, Seaton, Price, Smith and 

 Baiuard. 



