302 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



the pavilion, the number being upwards of eight thou- 

 sand, besides the members of the Society and invited 

 guests. Pecuniarily the exhibition was one of the most 

 profitable ever held by the Society. 



Although the fruit was so fine in 1852, it was even 

 exceeded this year as regards pears, both in quantity 

 and quality. Larger collections of this fruit were 

 shown than ever before ; that of Marshall P. Wilder 

 comprising three hundred and ten varieties, and that of 

 Hovey & Co., three hundred. These numbers were not 

 again reached for several years. The Beurre Diels and 

 Flemish Beauties were eleven to twelve inches in circum- 

 ference, and the Beurre d'Anjous and White Doyennes 

 ten inches. Marshall P. Wilder exhibited the Beurre 

 Superfin pear for the first time. E. W. Bull exhibited 

 his new seedling grape, which, under the name of Con- 

 cord, is now so generally cultivated throughout the coun- 

 try. The apples were quite ordinary, this not being the 

 bearing year ; but the grapes were much finer than the 

 previous year. Many new contributors came in, carry- 

 ing off the prizes from those who had received them 

 for years. 



The display of plants was very beautiful, and embraced 

 some exceedingly fine specimens. The show of vegeta- 

 bles was good, and attracted much attention. 



The Committee on Flowers and Vegetables, following 

 the example of the Fruit Committee, this year added to 

 their list of awards a few interesting remarks on the 

 most important objects exhibited, and the Committee of 

 Arrangements made a formal report for the first time. 

 The first award of a prospective prize was made this 

 year to Hovey & Co., for their seedling cherry, the 

 Hovey, which had been exhibited for five years. The 



