REPORTS OF GARDEN AND FLOWER COMMITTEES, 1856. 311 



Mr. Pratt's grapery and flower department were par- 

 ticularly commended, and a gratuity was awarded for 

 them. The last visit was to the grounds and nurseries 

 of Hovey & Co. at Cambridge, who received a gratuity 

 for their fine pears and strawberries and splendid bed 

 of Japan lilies. The report concluded thus : 



' ' The committee cannot close this report without expressing 

 their high approval of this portion of the Society's labors. A 

 spur and new life have been given to horticulture, and a laudable 

 ambition and emulation encouraged. The rich specimens of fruit 

 which adorn our tables, and compete for the prizes, are now, in 

 most instances, but fair and true representatives of the gardens 

 from which they come, and need not be ashamed of the places 

 where they grew. We are happy to believe that the pleasure and 

 satisfaction of these visits have been mutual. Few persons are 

 without the desire for praise or approval, which it is alwaj r s a sat- 

 isfaction to receive from those considered best competent to judge, 

 and having official position. The awarding of liberal premiums, 

 and a careful inspection, when invited, of the numerous and in- 

 creasing gardens dotted over this Commonwealth, may be justly 

 considered a good substitute for an experimental garden (one of 

 the early objects of this Society) , and perhaps is the best method 

 of expending our funds for the promotion of horticulture and im- 

 proved gardening." 



The Flower Committee reported, that, " from the time 

 of the opening of the hall to the annual exhibition, no 

 weekly display has failed to be such as not only to 

 attract and gratify visitors, but also to reflect credit 

 upon contributors and the Society. From season to 

 season the marks of improvement are visible ; and the 

 production of seedlings, and the introduction of new 

 plants, give evidence of a constantly growing and con- 

 tinued progress on the part of cultivators." Special 

 commendation was given to the seedling Japan lilies 

 shown. The displays of roses, asters, phloxes, and dah- 



