ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1855. 307 



the Society for the first time by A. Thompson of Dela- 

 ware, O. The Fruit Committee remarked the increased 

 care bestowed on the cultivation of the pear, and ex- 

 pressed the belief that this fruit succeeded as well or 

 better in the vicinity of Boston than in almost any other 

 part of our country, a belief which the experience of 

 later years has confirmed. 



Though the experiment of holding the annual exhi- 

 bition in a tent had proved pleasant and successful in 

 many respects, it was felt to be hazardous in our 

 changeable climate ; and, on the completion of the new 

 Music Hall, its large size and central situation com- 

 mended it as the most desirable place for the annual 

 exhibition, which was accordingly held there from the 

 18th to the 21st of September. An arch was con- 

 structed over the main entrance, leading from Wintei* 

 Street, and tastefully decorated with streamers, flags, 

 and flowers. The main body of the hall was occupied 

 by five tables for fruit, each seventy feet long and five 

 feet wide. Under the side balconies were stands for 

 flowers ; and the space under the north gallery was 

 devoted to vegetables. The pot plants and designs were 

 arranged on the stage ; and the whole, when viewed 

 from the balconies, presented a beautiful panorama of 

 the productions of Pomona and Flora. 



The display of fruits was superior to any former one, 

 owing mainly to the very small number of inferior 

 specimens. The flowers were superior, the dahlias 

 especially surpassing those exhibited for the past four 

 years ; and the display of pot plants was large and fine. 

 Prizes were offered for floral designs, which added much 

 to the appearance of the hall. They were much smaller 

 than those exhibited in 1845 and 1846 ; but the com- 



