158 TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



From Joseph Richardson : Early Crawford Peaches. 

 From the Endicott Family, Danvers : Endicott Pears from the original 

 tree, planted in 1630. 



REPORT OF FLOWERS EXHIBITED. 



The annual exhibitions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society have 

 generally been noted for a grand display of Dahlias, as this is the season 

 when they are generally in the greatest perfection. Amateurs had made 

 large additions to their collections of this showy and sportive flower, and 

 much was anticipated by growers and others in having an opportunity to 

 compare flowers, and discuss the merits of the new varieties ; but in this 

 they were disappointed, for the failure was great, and, although there were 

 some exceptions, the flowers in general were very imperfect, and the num- 

 ber unprecedentedly small. The extreme heat of the month, absence of 

 rain, insects, and, to crown the Mhole, a high wind breaking and bruising 

 the flowers the day previous to the exhibition, were the causes of this fail- 

 ure. The scarcity of the improved German aster, and some other autumnal 

 flowers, may be attributed to the same cause. But, notwithstanding these 

 prominent flowers did not appear on this occasion with their accustomed 

 splendor and perfection, the floral ornaments and decorations more than 

 made up the deficiency in the cut flowers ; and, taken as a whole, Fruits, 

 Flowers, Designs and Decorations combined, — no exhibition ever was more 

 attractive than the present one. There was an apparent improvement in 

 the style and finish of the designs which ornamented the hall on this occa- 

 sion, over those of the last year, and we can hardly do justice to the taste 

 of those who executed them. 



William Quant, gardener to Hon. T. H. Perkins, exhibited a very beau- 

 tiful and chaste Grecian Floral Temple, supported by eight pillars in cor- 

 rect architectural style, finished with moss and flowers. Much taste was 

 displayed in arranging the color of the flowers, which were finely blended, 

 producing a pleasant efl~ect. Four Moss Vases, containing plants of finely 

 grown dwarf cockscombs, ornamented the corners of the Temple. Mr. 

 Quant also contributed twelve fine plants of Dwarf Cockscombs ; a large 

 plant, five feet high, of Ardisia crenulata, loaded with its scarlet berries ; a 

 large Orange plant with fruit, Jerusalem Cherry, and other pot plants. 

 Also, four fine pyramidal Bouquets for one of the Bradlee vases. 



From J. L. L. F. Warren, a Swiss Cottage. This was a beautiful de- 

 sign ; had it been a little more elevated from the floor, it would have ap- 

 peared to much greater advantage ; as it was, it received much praise from 

 the admiring spectators. This was finished with moss and flowers, and 

 reflected much credit on the designer and maker, Mr. Cadnis, Mr. W.'s 

 gardener. Mr. Warren also exhibited a very curious and unique pyramidal 



