EXHIBITIONS IN 1851. 293 



dens, exhibited in full bloom on the 19th of April by 

 H. Grundel, gardener to Marshall P. Wilder. It was 

 described as "an exquisite hardy shrub." June 21, 

 John P. Gushing sent twenty-four varieties of strawber- 

 ries, many of the specimens of superior quality, and, a 

 week later, thirty-two varieties, which were tested by 

 the Fruit Committee. June 21, also, Isaac Fay exhibited 

 for the first time his seedling, Jenny Lind, which the 

 committee reported to be a solid berry of fine flavor and 

 good size, giving promise of value, and which yet holds 

 its place as one of the best early strawberries. July 26, 

 Azell Bowditch exhibited very .fine Champion of Eng- 

 land peas, which were pronounced among the best in 

 cultivation, being remarkably sweet, tender, and prolific. 

 The exhibitions of hardy herbaceous plants and shrubs 

 through June and July appear to have been unusually 

 large both as to quantity and variety. August 23, the 

 Fruit Committee tested the Beurre Giifard pear, from 

 Joseph S. Cabot, and reported it as new, and promising 

 well for an early pear. The display of foreign grapes 

 at this time was very large. Besides J. F. Allen, whose 

 contributions have already been mentioned, Hovey & 

 Co., W. C. Strong, and Joseph Breck, exhibited forced 

 grapes in large quantity and variety ; while many other 

 cultivators occasionally placed on the tables specimens of 

 superior quality. -^ , c - 



The annual exhibition was held on the 17th, 18th, and 

 19th of September ; the library room and store on the 

 lower floor of the Society's building being occupied, as 

 the year previous, in addition to the hall. A portico of 

 three arches, with a frieze and entablature supported on 

 four piers, to correspond to those in the front of the 

 building, was erected over the sidewalk. The whole 



