REPOllT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 27 



lot of rhododendrons, comprising, with others, many of the varieties 

 ah-eady named. 



The disphiy of rhododendrons the present year has been remark- 

 abh' fine ; in size of truss, perfection of individual flowers, and 

 profusion of bloom it has never been surpassed. It is much to be 

 regretted that this plant, so ornamental in foliage and showy in 

 flower, is not generally grown. The hardy varieties, once well es- 

 tablished, require no care, and the tender are ver}' easily growai, 

 and only require winter protection. 



The Committee have awarded to E. S. Rand, Jr., the 8ociet3''s 

 Prospective Prize, for the best Seedling Hardy Rhododendron, 

 for the variety named Daisy Rand, which has been shown at our 

 exhibitions for the last six years. The plant has been examined in 

 Mr. Rand's grounds, where it has stood in a most exposed situation, 

 wholly unprotected, for the last twelve ^ears. The following- 

 description has been made ly the Committee, from notes furnished 

 by Mr. Rand : 



The plant is of dwarf habit, but ver}' spreading and short jointed ; 

 foliage very large, oval, bright polished green on the upper surface, 

 and ver}' white below. It is very floriferous, the smallest branches 

 carrying trusses of bloom, which are large, full, and globular. The 

 individual flowei's are of great substance, and last very long in per- 

 fection, as proved by the fact that trusses from the same plant were 

 shown this year at our exhibitions on three successive Saturday's. 

 The flower is rosv scarlet with light centre, the upper petals being 

 profusely spotted with chocolate. We regard this variety as a 

 most valuable addition to our shrubs. 



Hakdy Azaleas. — E. S. Rand, Jr., E. Shepherd, and B. G. 

 Smith were the exhibitors, and the same remarks that we made in 

 regard to the rhododendron will appl}' equally to the azalea. The 

 collections exhibited "were unusually good, that of Mr. Rand being 

 the largest. We again express our hope that the very lilteral 

 premiums oftered by Mr. Ilunnewell for rhododendrons and azaleas, 

 will bring out a much larger competition tlian \\'e have had the 

 past season. 



Roses. — As was predicted in our last report, the Rose Show was, 

 without doubt, the best ever held by the Society ; the Queen of 

 Flowers was present in her best attire. For the Society's prizes, 

 William Gray, Jr., James Comley, J. II. Woodford, J. B. Moore, 

 C. M. Atkinson, Francis Parkman, and Joseph Clark were the com- 

 petitors. 



