FLOWER committee's REPORT. 33 



indicate a fair degree of interest in our objects, on the part of the com- 

 munity. And yet, there is much need of improvement in that matter, 

 and it behooves us to seek its accomplishment. That some of the dis- 

 plays during the early part of the season were not such as we could wish, 

 was not a matter of surprise, inasmuch as the Flowering Shrubs and Her- 

 baceous Perennials were in some degree affected as were Fruit Trees, by 

 the severe drought of the preceding two summers ; and beside, the law 

 of supply and demand in the inarket operated against us. This last, 

 however, our Executive have sought to remedy in the future, by placing 

 at the disposal of the Committee, a sum more nearly equal to their re- 

 quirements. 



It was thought best to make the Rose Show this year a fee-paying 

 one, and get it up on a corresponding scale. This was done. Contribu- 

 tions of a high order filled both Halls, and but for unpropitious weather, 

 it would have been (as it was in all other respects) financially successful. 

 As it resulted, the balance of expenditures over receipts, was less than 

 would have been the cost of such a show, free. The latter part of the 

 season our exhibitions were a series of triumphs, crowned by the an- 

 nual one, which was generally considered one of the best we have ever 

 held. The contributions to this, were limited only by the space devoted 

 to them, and they were almost universally of an excellent character. 



Important featiires in our Weekly Exhibitions, which have lent them 

 such a charm and given to them much of the interest they have had, de- 

 serve more than a passing notice. First let us speak of the growing 

 taste for botany as manifested in the very full and frequent displays of 

 Native Plants and flowers, made by our young lady contributors. 

 The knowledge to enable and the taste to prompt them to make such 

 collections, the patience and skill displayed in the arrangement and 

 scientifically naming of so many specimens, are worthy of great com- 

 mendation and greater reward. We would suggest prizes hereafter, for 

 this branch of our shows, as the best means of fostering an interest of 

 so great value to all. 



The result of oft'ering prizes instead of gratuities, has shown itself 

 very satisfactorily in the past few years, in the case of Baskets of 

 FLOVfERS. We have had upon our tables this year many specimens 

 that can hardly be excelled, and all would rank very high in the scale of 

 beauty. The money value of the prizes is small, to be sure; that cannot 

 ' be the motive poAver; but the spirit of gentle rivalry which springs from 

 conpetition, added to the correct taste of our fair friends, has resulted 

 in giving us a standard high above that of our sister cities, and in form- 

 ing an important element in our success. The measure of praise 

 bestowed upon them is a fair index of the value set upon this branch of 

 our exhibitions. Lovers of the really beautiful in horticulture, have had 

 many opportunities this season to admire the frequent contributions of a 

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