304 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and, notwithstanding the severe drought, it was one of 

 the most successful ever made by the Society. The 

 fruits from the largest contributors were not only as 

 large, but equally as fair, as at any former exhibition ; 

 while the smaller collections showed that an increased 

 attention to the cultivation of fruit had been given by 

 the newly enlisted members. The variety of pears was 

 not so great as the previous year ; the largest collection 

 consisting of two hundred and seventy-three varieties 

 from Marshall P. Wilder. The apples were exceedingly 

 fine, and the quantity was large, Benjamin V. French 

 showing one hundred and fifty kinds. The grapes were 

 remarkably good, comprising some superb clusters of 

 the Syrian, from Mrs. F. B. Durfee, weighing about six 

 pounds each. The Concord was shown in great perfec- 

 tion. A large number of other native grapes, of every 

 grade of quality, was exhibited ; and we may date from 

 this time the general interest in the improvement of the 

 native grape, which has already resulted in adding many 

 valuable kinds to our catalogues. 



There was a grand display of pot plants, among 

 them being a very finely grown specimen, the first in- 

 troduced here, of the beautiful Cissus discolor, from 

 Marshall P. Wilder. This was the harbinger of the 

 infinite variety of Caladiums, Crotons, Dracaenas, Maran- 

 tas, Agaves, and other ornamental leaved plants now 

 so generally cultivated and admired. 1 The show of 

 vegetables exceeded the expectations of the committee, 

 the quantity being abundant and the quality excellent. 



Much interest was added to this occasion by the meet- 



1 It should not be understood that ornamental foliaged plants were 

 unknown before this time, for the Maranta zebrina was exhibited in 1831, 

 but that the Cissus heralded the introduction of these plants in such num- 

 bers as to form a separate class. 



