FRUITS AKD GAKDENS, 1859. 321 



High winds and a severe storm a short time before 

 the exhibition greatly injured the fruit ; yet the pears 

 were very fine, the apples excellent, and the grapes 

 superior to those of any exhibition for some years. The 

 success of this department equalled the expectations of 

 the most sanguine, and fully justified the attempt at so 

 extensive an exhibition, which by some was deemed a 

 hazardous experiment. The prizes for apples and pears 

 were offered for collections of twenty, fifteen, ten, and 

 five varieties, and so remained until 1876. The vegeta- 

 bles were more select and of finer quality than at any 

 previous exhibition. Unfortunately the weather was 

 stormy during the entire week of the show, preventing 

 that attendance of the public which the exhibitions of 

 the Society usually commanded, and it was much regret- 

 ted that so fine a show should not have been witnessed 

 by a larger number of persons. 



The Fruit Committee in their report mentioned the 

 gradual introduction of orchard house culture. 



The awards by the Garden Committee this year were 

 to Edward S. Rand of Dedham, for the best kept and 

 neatest grounds, and for special skill in the department 

 of flowers and ornamental gardening ; to Woodlawn 

 Cemetery at Chelsea, for good taste, neatness, and skill 

 in every department ; and to Mrs. Franklin B. Fay of 

 Chelsea, for good taste, industry, and economy in the 

 cultivation of flowers. 



The year 1860 was^ as favorable to the pursuits of 

 the horticulturist as 1859 was unpropitious. The crop 

 of fruit of all kinds, except out door grapes, was un- 

 usually large, and of very fine quality. The transition 

 from the Society's hall in School Street had an unfavor- 

 able effect in some of the earlier shows ; but at the open- 



