336 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



fruit shown, and, though much was of fine quality, 

 some was very indifferent. 



The annual exhibition was held at the Society's hall, 

 with much the same arrangements as two years be- 

 fore. The plants were all choice and fine mostly well 

 grown specimens of variegated leaved plants. The first 

 prize for a specimen plant was awarded to C. M. Atkin- 

 son, for Cissus discolor ; the second, to James McTear, 

 for Frenela Ventenatii ; and the third and fourth, to 

 Ignatius Sargent, for Testudinaria elephantipes and 

 Cissus discolor. The first prize for a variegated leaved 

 plant was awarded to Hovcy & Co., for Pandanus 

 Javanicus variegatus ; and the second, to James Com- 

 ley, for Croton variegatum. Among the ferns shown 

 by Hovey & Co. was the beautiful Ptcris Cretica albo- 

 lineata. The gladioli, Japan lilies, dahlias, and other 

 cut flowers, were contributed liberally, and arranged 

 with unusual taste. 



The show of fruit was satisfactory, as, though smaller 

 than usual, it was more select. While some varieties 

 of pears, such as the Louise Bonne of Jersey and 

 Duchesse d'Angouleme, were inferior, the Sheldon, De 

 Tongres, Doyenne du Cornice, Beurre Bosc, and others, 

 were remarkably fine. The display of native grapes 

 was exceedingly interesting. Nearly two hundred plates 

 were on exhibition in upwards of twenty varieties, em- 

 bracing all the new sorts then lately brought to notice. 

 Among foreign grapes, H. H. Hunnewell sent speci- 

 mens of the Lady Downes, which were ripe on the 20th 

 of September, and hung on the vines in excellent con- 

 dition until the 30th of January, 1864, when they were 

 exhibited. 



The winter of 1863-64 was remarkably uniform in 



