28 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



known, total, one hundred and eighty-one ; of peaches, forty 

 with names, thirty-four seedlings, eight unknown, total, eighty- 

 two ; of plums, nineteen with names, three seedlings, one un- 

 known, total, twenty-three ; of grapes, thirty-three with names, 

 eight native seedlings, total, forty-one ; of quinces, nectarines, 

 figs and melons, three each ; of oranges, lemons, European 

 walnuts, and Cornelian cherries, one each. 



The specimen flowers were arranged on stands, which occu- 

 pied the centre of the hall, and comprised a goodly array of 

 dahlias, roses, asters, &c. The dahlias were the most promi- 

 nent in their variety and the gorgeousness of the flowers. The 

 vegetables, &c., were arranged in the ante-rooms. The dis- 

 play, although not large, was very interesting, and consisted of 

 fine specimens of squashes, potatoes, onions, &c. In this de- 

 partment were placed the cereals. — as varieties of corn, wheat, 

 &c. The cultivation of the last named grain is said, by the 

 gentlemen who exhibited specimens, to have been successful ; 

 and it is greatly to be desired that further experiments should 

 be tried by our agriculturists, to test fully the advantage of its 

 more general introduction. 



Nineteen towns of our county were represented by the con- 

 tributions of one hundred and ninety-one individuals. A com- 

 parison of the present exhibition, with the first of the kind ever 

 held in Salem, shows a very gratifying as well as rapid increase 

 of interest in the cultivation of fruits and flowers. That exhi- 

 bition was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14th 

 and 15th, 1841. The number of contributors was then sev- 

 enty-six ; about three hundred plates of fruit were placed on 

 the tables, comprising one hundred and fifty-three varieties, 

 viz. : ninety-four of pears, twenty-five of apples, ten of peaches, 

 eight of plums, eight of grapes, four of melons, two of quinces, 

 one of nectarines, and one of filberts. 



May we not justly infer from the above comparison, that the 

 labors of the Institute, in maintaining their stated exhibitions, 

 have not been in vain ; but have resulted in diffusing through 

 the community a more general and extensive taste for horticul- 

 tural pursuits; thus accomplishing the principal object of their 

 establishment ? 



JOHN C. LEE, Chairma^i. 



