FIRST GRAND DAHLIA SHOW, 1840. 253 



on Wednesday, the 23d of September, continuing 

 through Saturday. It was much finer than the most 

 sanguine could have anticipated, and the number of 

 competitors was larger than was expected. Nearly 

 three thousand superb blooms of the dahlia were dis- 

 played, besides fine collections of asters and annuals, 

 which were also exhibited for premium. A variety of 

 bouquets, verbenas, and other flowers, rendered the show 

 more interesting. The dahlias were shown in two di- 

 visions, the first open to all cultivators of more than 

 two hundred plants, and the second to cultivators of 

 less than that number. In each of these classes were 

 two prizes for the best twenty-four, the best twelve, and 

 the best six blooms. There was also a " Premier 

 Prize " for the best six blooms, open to all cultivators ; 

 and prizes, likewise open to all, for the best single 

 specimen bloom, and the best seedling. There were 

 fifteen entries for the best specimen bloom, and four for 

 the premier prize. On the second day of the exhibi- 

 tion the exhibitors and judges, with a few invited 

 guests, dined together at the Exchange Coffee House. 

 Gen. Dearborn responded to a sentiment in honor of 

 the founders of the Society ; Rev. Henry Colman, com- 

 missioner for the Agricultural Survey of the Common- 

 wealth, to one in recognition of the encouragement 

 given by the State to horticulture and agriculture ; and 

 N. J. Becar of Brooklyn, N.Y., in response to a toast 

 in honor of the Horticultural Society of Brooklyn, pro- 

 posed " Health and success to the members of the 

 Massachusetts Horticultural Society." 



So great was the interest felt in the cultivation of 

 the dahlia, that another show for prizes was held on the 

 10th of October, the premiums to be made up from 



