PKESiDENT Hyde's address. 95 



increase its prizes, both in number and amount, year by j'ear, as its 

 financial condition will warrant. We can but briefly refer to the great 

 change that has taken place within the last thirty or forty years in the 

 cultivation of flowers, especially under glass. Many of us can remem- 

 ber when there were few greenhouses in the State; while now, there 

 are hundreds to say the least. Now, thousands of plants are sold M'here 

 one was sold before. Formerly, cut flowers were purchased only occa- 

 sionally by the few; while now, there seems to be no limit to the de- 

 mand. If our people do not spend as much time and money on a rare 

 plant, they spend the more for the increased number of those that are 

 better known, and so help to adorn and make beautiful all our towns 

 and villages. May the work go on until the whole shall become one 

 great garden, to delight the eye and gladden the heart. 



The past year was not a remarkably favorable one for fruit in our 

 State, though there would have been a very good harvest of Pears, had 

 it not been for the great gale that swept over this section of country 

 with such destructive power, not only blowing down the fruit but in 

 many cases utterly destroying the ti'ees. The supply of Apples was 

 quite moderate, and we have been obliged to depend upon the product 

 of our sister States to supply the deficiency. 



Peaches were never more abundant in our markets or of better qual- 

 ity, though we believe the larger part of them came from a more con- 

 genial climate than New England. The small fruits, especially the 

 Strawberries, were abundant and good. Seldom do we have in our 

 climate a better season for Grapes than the past was. Even the old 

 Isabella and other sorts, considered too late for this latitude, ripened 

 well, the frosts keeping off" longer than usual. We are pleased to know 

 that increased attention is being given, year by year, to small fruits all 

 over the country, so that all may soon be able to eat and enjoy. 



The vegetables, not only at the Annual Exhibition, but all through the 

 season, were exceedingly fine and attracted great attention. Boston 

 excels all the cities, as much in the vegetables that are found in her 

 markets, as she does in her sculpture, her paintings and her literature. 

 No better market gardeners can probably be found in the world than 

 those numbered among our members. 



Contributors in every department have done well, and our exhibitions 

 have been worthy our Society, though perfection has not yet been 

 reached. We are certain, that the fruit never was better arranged on 

 our tables than in the new ware that was manufactured expressly for the 

 Society, at a cost of nearly nine hundred dollars, each dish bearing the 

 seal of the Society. The form of the dishes is well adapted to our pur- 

 poses, and is a great improvement over anything we have used for that 

 purpose, and meets a want long felt by the contributors. 



