438 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



appropriated for prizes had been gradually increased, 

 until in 1876 it reached $6,800 ; but in 1877 it was re- 

 duced to $6,100, and in 1878 a further reduction of 

 twenty-five per cent was found necessary, making the 

 amount $4,575. But, notwithstanding the rewards to 

 the skill and labor of cultivators were thus lessened, the 

 extent and interest of the exhibitions scarcely decreased. 



In the flower department the exhibitions of the year 

 were reported as unusually good, and several much 

 above the average. Among these was the show of 

 March 2, with the forced perpetual roses, cyclamens, 

 and orchids. The rose show was noticeable for the 

 increased number of competitors for the larger prizes, 

 though the committee were disappointed in not seeing 

 more new roses. The prize for the best specimen plant 

 was taken by Hovey & Co., with Dracaena Hendersoni. 

 The annual exhibition was in many respects, especially 

 the collections of fine plants, the best ever held by the 

 Society, and here again the committee were pleased to 

 welcome several new contributors. This exhibition was 

 not, however, fully appreciated and visited by the pub- 

 lic. Many of the weekly shows were rendered particu- 

 larly interesting by contributions of new and rare plants 

 and flowers. The display of cut flowers was unusually 

 good during the whole season. 



Among the new or remarkable plants was a Ccelo- 

 gyne cristata from H. H. Hunnewell, with forty-five 

 flower spikes and more than two hundred flowers, ex- 

 hibited on the 19th of January. March 2 F. L. Ames 

 exhibited twelve fine orchids from his choice collection. 

 March 16 James Cartwright sent a well flowered plant 

 of Dendrobium Wardianum, said to be the finest Den- 

 drobe in cultivation. At the rose show, F. L. Ames 



