80 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



beautiful hybrid rhododendrons, which are perfectly hardy in New 

 England. 



Mr. Rand went on to speak of an orchid exhibited by him, 

 which was received from Hugh Low & Co. for Cattleya Triance, 

 but which he thought probably a hybrid between that and Cattleya 

 Mossice, uniting the characteristics of these two beautiful species. 

 This was only an example of what might be expected when we 

 get to importing orchids in large quantities. 



James Cruickshanks remarked that no one had yet succeeded in 

 making E^ngoea repens look well in cultivation. William Cobbett 

 went home with the idea that he should have no difficulty in the 

 cultivation of Indian corn in England, but though he started the 

 seed in a hot-bed he only got ears of the size of his finger. 



Mr. Rand said that he had been successful in growing the 

 Epigoea repens in his rhododendron beds, but that Mr. Cruick- 

 shanks was right as to its culture in ordinary garden soils. 



MEETING FOR DISCUSSION. 



Saturday, February 19, 1876. 



William C Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication 

 and Discussion, presiding. 



The Chairman announced the offer of the following prizes, of 

 twenty-five dollars each. First, for the best Essay upon the Cul- 

 ture and Varieties of Roses. Second, for the best I]ssay upon the 

 Culture of Flowers and Foliage for Winter Decoration and for 

 Market, with a list of the most desirable varieties. Third, for 

 the best Essay upon the Culture of the Squash and Melon, with a 

 list of the best varieties. Fourth, for the best Essajj^ upon the 

 Ripening and Marketing of Pears. Fifth, for the best Essay 

 upon the Improvement and Ornamentation of Country Roads. 



No paper was provided to open the meeting, but the Chairman 

 remarked that the many flowers on exhibition suggested much 

 that might be learned. In particular, the very fine hybrid per- 

 petual roses, exhibited by Mr. Comley, incited the wish to know 



