272 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



any other way, and thus has largely assisted in bringing 

 about the present advanced state of horticulture. 



The increased taste for horticulture which led to the 

 erection of the first Horticultural Hall, was, in turn, 

 stimulated by the possession of that beautiful building. 

 The amount appropriated for premiums was raised from 

 $460 in 1844 to $1,200 in 1845. Of this, there was 

 assigned for fruits and flowers $400 each ; for vegeta- 

 bles $150; and for festoons, designs, etc., at the annual 

 exhibition $250. Apart from other reasons for this 

 increase, it was necessary, as a small fee was charged 

 for admission to the weekly exhibitions, to offer such 

 rewards to cultivators, that the shows should meet the 

 expectations of the public. 



The exhibitions on and after the 8th of May were 

 held in the library room of the new building, until 

 the 24th, when they were held in the hall for the first 

 time ; but, the fixtures not being then quite complete, 

 the formal opening to the public did not take place 

 until the 31st of May. The specimens of rare plants 

 and flowers on that day were very numerous, and fully 

 answered the expectations of the Society, as well as of 

 the many visitors. The exhibition of forced grapes 

 and peaches was also remarkably fine. 



The exhibitions had now become so extensive that it 

 is more difficult than ever to make a selection of the 

 productions most worthy of record. Many new varie- 

 ties of strawberries of English origin were exhibited, 

 and a less number of raspberries. The Black Eagle 

 cherry was coming into notice as a very superior 

 variety ; and fruit of the Downer was shown from the 

 original tree, which had never failed to produce a crop. 

 The collections of roses contained every new French or 



