TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY, 27 



FIFTEENTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION 



OF THE 



MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



On the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September 1843. 



A bountiful Providence having crowned with success the labors of the 

 husbandman, and filled his garners with the rich products of the orchard 

 and the garden, the Annual and accustomed Exhibition of the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Society was held at their Eoom, No. 23, Tremont Row, 

 on the 13th, 14th and 15th of September. The decorations of the hall 

 were much the same as on former occasions. The number of pot plants 

 was limited, yet there were enough to ornament the hall in a neat and ap- 

 propriate manner, without crowding them together in dense masses, they 

 being grouped in a becoming manner, giving an airiness to the room that 

 was pleasing and agreeable to the eye. Some fine specimens of the noble 

 Palm were generously sent in from the conservatory of J. P. Gushing, of 

 Watertown, which were greatly admired. Valuable contributions of choice 

 greenhouse plants were also exhibited by the President of the Society, and 

 by Messrs. Winship, Carter, Sweetser, Meller, and Warren. We would 

 notice in particular, the fine condition of the plants presented by Mr. Tesche- 

 macher, from the Public Conservatory : Brunia ericoides, Gloxinia rubra, 

 Begonia platanifolia, Achimenes longiflora, (a very fine specimen,) 

 Achimenes coccinea, a number of seedling Camellias of 1842, showing the 

 extraordinary effect of guano on the color and size of the foliage ; also 

 other Camellias, treated with various proportions of very finely pulverized 

 wood charcoal: the growth of these seemed superior. A seedling Acacia 

 lophantha, 1842, watered once a week for three months, with a very dilute 

 solution of nitrate of soda, 2^ feet high, showing bloom, with several other 

 experimental plants, attracted much attention. Large and showy bouquets 

 of Dahlias and other cut flowers were exhibited by Messrs. Carter, Warren, 

 Howard, and W. Kenrick, and an obelisk of Asters, representing Bunker 

 Hill Blonument, by Mr. S. Sweetser, and a pyramid of the same flowers, 

 by S. A. Walker, all of which were attracting, from the taste displayed in 

 their composition. In consequence of the failure of the Dahlia bloom, 

 (which in former years has rendered the show so gorgeous,) the display of 

 flowers was apparently deficient ; yet the Asters were displayed in great 

 variety and perfection, of good size, finely quilled, and in almost every 

 variety of tint and color. The number and variety of other autumnal 

 flowers was quite good, but not large. A fine stand of perpetual and other 



