262 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ericoides, Gloxinia rubra. Begonia platanifolia, Achi- 

 menes coccinea, and a very fine specimen of A. longiflora. 

 Some seedling camellias showed the extraordinary 

 effect of guano on the color and size of the foliage. 

 Other camellias, treated with pulverized wood charcoal, 

 showed superior growth. A seedling acacia, watered 

 with a solution of nitrate of soda, and other experi- 

 mental plants, attracted much attention. The pears 

 and plums were in greater variety than ever before, and 

 the specimens were uncommonly fair, and the grapes 

 and apples were also good. The only festivities of the 

 occasion were on the last day, when the Committee of 

 Arrangements dined at the Pavilion with invitecl guests, 

 among whom were A. J. Downing of Newburgh, N.Y., 

 A. H. Ernst of Cincinnati, O., and a delegation from 

 the American Institute of New York, consisting of Rev. 

 John O. Choules, Samuel Stevens, and Henry Meigs. 

 It may be mentioned here that a delegation of six mem- 

 bers was appointed by the Society to visit the exhibition 

 of the American Institute in October, and that the 

 interchange of visits then commenced was kept up with 

 the Institute, the New Haven Horticultural, and other 

 societies, for several years. ' The special dahlia show, 

 owing to the very unfavorable weather for this flower, 

 was inferior to either of the three preceding ones. 



The schedule of premiums offered for 1844 was much 

 more carefully prepared than those of previous years. 

 The times when the various prizes for flowers would be 

 awarded were stated, while before they had been an- 

 nounced by the committees shortly before the season for 

 the respective flowers. Special prizes for fruits and 

 flowers at the annual exhibition were offered. Regula- 

 tions for the guidance of committees and exhibiters 



