57 



The Committee have, as usual, been obliged to overrun the 

 meagre amount alloAved them wherewith to reward those lov- 

 ers of flowers, W'ho have so lavishly brought in their treasures 

 to decorate the Exhibition Hall. That a fine display of Flow- 

 ers renders the Exhibition dovhhj attractive, none will dispute ; 

 and it is a matter of regret to the Committee, that each year 

 hosts of finely arranged bouquets, and carefully prepared ferns 

 and mosses, have to be passed by, seemingly unnoticed, for 

 the want of a few more dollars to award ; and so we deem it 

 expedient to ask for a larger allowance of money in this de- 

 partment ; not wholl}^ fur gratuities, but in special premiums. 

 Your Committee to-dav unanimouslv voted, that there should 

 be two good premiums oflfered for first and second collections 

 of Ferns, Gladiolas, Asters and Lillies, and an addition made 

 to the premium now oflTered for the best collection of Native 

 Plants. Any one Avho tries gathering a large variety of wild 

 flowers will feel that one dollar is a poor compensation for the 

 hours spent in gathering these wayside treasures ; and yet who 

 does not marvel at the delicate -beauty, the wondrous variety 

 of these wild beauties that blossom alike for all God's chil- 

 dren? If appropriations cannot be made for new plants, as 

 they are perfected by the florist and brought to our notice, 

 why may not some of the old varieties, like the Dahlias for 

 instance, be set aside for a while, that people may be made 

 acquainted v.ith rarer pets of the florist? Hoping these sug- 

 gestions will meet, your approval, and so not pass unheeded, 

 we are very respectfully yours, 



Mrs. N. E. Ladd, for the Committee. 



VEGETABLES. 



The Committee on Vegetables award premiums as follows 



axioxs. . 

 Best Danvers, D. W. Putnam, Pcabody, $3. 

 Yellow Flat, S. A. Merrill, Danvers, %?>, 



