PLANTS AND FRUITS IN 1870. 367 



withstanding a severe hail storm on the day previous. 

 The annual exhibition was the best for several years, 

 particularly as regarded pot plants. The arrangement of 

 the larger hall was an improvement over that of previous 

 years, the long central stand for plants being replaced 

 by two smaller ones, between which, in the centre of the 

 room, was a fountain having the basin ornamented with 

 shells and aquatic plants. The prizes for the best speci- 

 men plant were awarded first to Hovey & Co., for Pan- 

 danus reflexus, and second to H. H. Hunnewell, for 

 Vriesia Glaziouana, and, for the best variegated plant, to 

 Hovey & Co., for Hibiscus Cooperi. A prize for the 

 best tree fern was this year offered for the first time, 

 and taken by H. H. Hunnewell, with Cyathea dealbata. 

 The special chrysanthemum show, on the 12th of No- 

 vember, was good both in quantity and quality. 



The exhibition of fruits commenced with fine speci- 

 mens of forced strawberries ; but in other forced fruits 

 there was a marked decline. The prize for the best 

 four quarts of any variety of strawberries at the rose 

 show was awarded for the President Wilder, the Jucun- 

 da being a very close rival ; but a decided preference 

 was given to the Wilder in point of flavor. A superb 

 basket of La Constante strawberry was shown by John 

 C. Park on the 2d of July, the very acme in color, 

 size, quality, and general beauty. The Charles Downing 

 was shown by W. A. Parsons. Among raspberries the 

 Northumberland Fillbasket, shown by John B. Moore, 

 appeared for the first time, and took the first prize. It 

 was first noted this year that the currant crop was seri- 

 ously affected by the imported currant worm (Nematus 

 ventricosus). A large number of seedling peaches 

 were shown, many of which were equal to or better 



