104 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



acquainted." Mr. Rand also showed handsome flowers of the 

 beautiful blue water lily Nynwphcma ccerulea. No one probably 

 knows how to grow asters better than John Robinson, and the fine 

 display of handsome flowers shown by him added much to the 

 attractions of the day. F'ine spikes of Hydrangea paniadata 

 were shown by A. P. Calder ; beautiful Clematis and choice 

 herbaceous flowers by Francis Parkman ; and some splendid stands 

 of Gladioli from W. H. Spooner and George Craft ; fine Dahlias 

 from Macey Randall and George Everett ; a fine plant of Crinum 

 Josephine from J. A. Greenlaw ; from Joseph Clark a splendid 

 stand of Hybrid Perpetual roses which filled the hall with their 

 delightful fragrance ; cut flowers, baskets of flowers, bouquets and 

 table designs were shown in unusual number by various contribu- 

 tors. This was one of the best of the weekly exhibitions, the 

 hall being well filled with the choicest of Flora's productions, and 

 with it closes one of the most successful seasons of weekly exhi- 

 bitions ever held. 



ANNUAL EXHIBITION. 



September 15, 16, 17 and 18. 



This grand show, which is always looked upon as the event of 

 the season, fully met the expectations of all. If we were to meas- 

 ure plants by the yard there was not so much to be seen as last 

 year, but it has been generally conceded to be far in advance of 

 any ever held as to quality and rarity of the plants and flowers. 

 The arrangement of the hall was somewhat changed from that of last 

 season, although on the main floor the appearance was not mate- 

 rially altered. In the centre of the hall a fountain was placed, 

 around which were arranged some choice evergreens and other 

 plants. The front of the platform was completely hidden by as 

 fine a show of Gladioli as was ever made here. The cut flowers 

 were placed in the balcony, at the end opposite the platform, 

 which was a great improvement on the place assigned them last 

 season under the balconies on the lower floor ; as they were 

 arranged the eflect was very fine. We thought that it would be 

 hard to excel the splendid exhibition of 1873, but it certainly is 

 not exaggeration to say that that of the last season fully equalled 

 it. Nearly all the visitors to the hall availed themselves of the 



