EXHIBITIONS IN 1837. 241 



introduction, and ten varieties of apples. At this time 

 the Winter Nelis pear was coming into notice ; and 

 specimens were exhibited on the 25th of March which 

 were highly praised. 



The shows of the Society during the winter of 1836 

 and 1837 were not generally as interesting as usual, 

 there being no flowers of any kind presented; but, as 

 the summer advanced, their former interest was more 

 than renewed. There was an abundance of all fruits, 

 except peaches ; and amidst the prostration of almost 

 every branch of industry it was pleasant to witness the 

 success which attended the efforts of horticulturists. 

 Among the notable plants exhibited was, from John D. 

 W. Williams, a very fine specimen of Erica ventricosa 

 superba; and from Marshall P. Wilder Oncidium flex- 

 uosum, which had been in bloom more than four weeks, 

 and had at one time ninety-seven fully expanded flow- 

 ers. This was the first orchid reported at any exhibi- 

 tion. Of fruits, the Early Sweet Bough apple and the 

 Rostiezer and Louise Bonne of Jersey pears seem to 

 have been exhibited for the first time. The public 

 were invited, by a notice in the horticultural journals, 

 to visit the rooms of the Society on Saturdays, during 

 the season of fruits and flowers, from ten to twelve 

 o'clock A.M. 



The annual exhibition was held in the new hall of 

 the Society, in Tremont Row, commencing on the 20th 

 of September, and continuing four days. The hall was 

 tastefully and appropriately decorated ; and the exhibi- 

 tion was, on the whole, most gratifying to the lovers of 

 horticulture. The season was favorable, and the quan- 

 tity and quality of fruit, as well as the abundance of 

 flowers, particularly dahlias, far surpassed any previous 



