REPORT 



OF THE 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION. 



To the President and Members of the Essex Institute : 



The Committee on Horticulture report that the annual exhibition of Fruits, 

 Flowers, and Vegetables, for the year 1850, took place at the Town Hall in 

 Salem, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 25th and 26th, in connexion 

 with that of the Essex Agricultural Society, in conformity with previous ar- 

 rangements to that effect. 



The hall was beautifully decorated, the committee being assisted in this por- 

 tion of their duties by the refined taste of the ladies who so kindly volunteered 

 their aid on this occasion. The large and elegant evergreen arbor opposite the 

 entrance, formed a very conspicuous object, presenting a great variety of wild 

 flowers tastefully grouped together ; and supported by two immense cornuco- 

 pise, pouring forth their abundant treasures — the one, of vegetable produc- 

 tions, and the other of fruits in great variety. Over the centre door wag 

 a tablet containing the name of Pomona, surrounded with a rich border of 

 fruits. The eastern door was surmounted with a similar tablet, containing the 

 name of Ceres, with a chaste wreathing of grains and grasses; while Flora 

 occupied a similar position over the western door, decked with a gorgeous array 

 of flowers. Other decorations adorned the windows, and bouquets and vases 

 of flowers in abundance were arranged on the tables, and around the hall. 



Among the curiosities that attracted much attention, were pears from the 

 original Endicott pear tree in Danvers, which tradition says was planted in 

 1630 ; some fine looking Orange pears, from a tree two hundred and ten years 

 old, on the estate of Capt. William Allen, in Hardy street ; also, apples from a 

 tree planted by Peregrine White, the first male child born in New England, 

 on the farm originally settled and subdued by him in Marshfield. The farm is 

 now owned and occupied by his direct descendants, by one of whom. Miss Sy- 

 bil AVhite, the apples were sent to Dr. Merriam, of Topsfield. These relics of 

 past ages are yet productive, and their fruits of no little curiosity. 



The display of Fruit was very fine, especially that of Pears, which, for their 

 variety, beauty, and perfection, may "vrell challenge comparison with any simi- 

 lar exhibition of this season. Two thousand dishes or baskets of fruit were pla- 



