EXHIBITIONS IN 1859. 319 



for the neatness and successful cultivation of his nurs- 

 ery of pear trees. 



The weather during the growing season of 1859 was 

 extremely variable, end every month in the year was 

 marked by frost. The effect of weather so unfavorable 

 to vegetation could not fail to be noticed in the weekly 

 shows of the Society. The absence of hot days, and 

 the injury by high winds, added to the frequent frosts, 

 made the season the most unpropitious to fruit growers 

 since the formation of the Society. Plants cultivated 

 in greenhouses are, however, exempt from such unfa- 

 vorable influences ; and an unusually fine display of 

 these was made on the 19th of February, consisting of 

 Ericas, Epacris, Azaleas, Polyanthus, Cypripedium in- 

 signe, etc. The opening exhibition continued for two 

 days, and a finer display of pot plants had never been 

 made in the hall : the chief difficulty was to find space 

 for all the contributions. Many new and rare things 

 were shown, besides superb specimens of the old favorites. 

 Dennis Murray exhibited a very interesting collection of 

 two hundred and fifty-six dried specimens of Lichens, 

 all carefully named. At the rose show, June 23, 24, 

 and 25, although the weather was rainy and cold, and 

 the roses were not in so forward a condition as was 

 expected, the display was very good, particularly of 

 Hybrid Perpetuals, which were better than ever before. 

 The Wilson's Albany strawberry was exhibited ; and the 

 committee said of it, that " those shown were very large 

 berries, of a conical shape, dark colored, and very acid, 

 and did not, on trial, commend themselves for their 

 quality." July 16, W. C. Strong presented a collection 

 of eighteen varieties of gloxinias, which received higher 

 praise than any shown before. On the 20th of August 



