326 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



destroyed, which, as well as could be remembered, had 

 not happened before for forty years. It was thought 

 that the injury experienced was due rather to the 

 extreme and sudden cold of February than to the sud- 

 den change from heat to cold in March. Besides the 

 unfavorable season, it was impossible that the absorption 

 of all minds in the terrible conflict then raging should 

 not exert an injurious effect on the exhibitions of the 

 Society. Yet the members contended to the best of 

 their ability against these adverse influences, and not 

 wholly without success ; and in one department a very 

 decided advance was shown the number of new plants 

 exhibited was far greater than ever before. 



The opening exhibition was held at the Society's 

 hall from the 23d to the 25th of May. The display of 

 plants and flowers, though limited in quantity, was far 

 superior in richness and quality to any of preceding 

 years. There were many fine and rare plants of which 

 specimens had never been exhibited, and fine specimens 

 of old favorites. The show of variegated plants was 

 particularly rich. A collection of ferns from Gardner 

 G. Hubbard comprised fifty species. Dennis Murray 

 had nearly a hundred species of native ferns and lyco- 

 pods, including the climbing fern (Lygodium palmatum), 

 now so much sought after. By vote of the Society the 

 proceeds of the exhibition, amounting to $62.50, were 

 given to the fund for the relief of the absent soldiers 

 of the State, to which was added the sum of $132, raised 

 by subscription among the members. 



The annual rose show, on account of the little inter- 

 est taken in floriculture in the troubled condition of 

 national affairs, was limited to a few hours on Saturday, 

 June 29. On that day the roses were in perfection. 



