REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WINDOW GARDENING. 269 



Committee, while the interest of the main Societj' should and 

 -does cover the whole State. 



The letter-press was excellent and the publication was grate- 

 fuU}'^ received in the communit}'. Many hundreds were given to 

 those who purchased plants for themselves or for distribution by 

 the churches ; enough were sold to partially defray the expenses 

 incurred by the Committee, and many were sent to the country in 

 response to requests from eager readers. 



The seeming nari'owness of the list of native plants was 

 emphasized when the Chairman of the Committee addressed a 

 school in Greenfield, Mass., whose friend and pastor had pro- 

 vided plants to be given to the scholars in the sewing school. 



In the Fall, prizes in money were awarded to the successful 

 growers. 



The exhibitions have been held in different sections of the city 

 according to the advertised programme. 



Great improvement over last year's work was manifested in the 

 general appearance of the plants ; pots were scrubbed b}' the 

 little hands, and dead leaves and faded blossoms had been 

 removed, showing that the children had been quick to follow the 

 directions and suggestions made to them by the Chairman and 

 Treasurer. While exhibitors generally brought but one pot, 

 often one or two small children offered several varieties. 



Exhibitions of cut native flowers were exceptionally good, 

 when the fact is considered that nearly every child resided in the 

 ■city proper, and the blossoms had to be gathered after school 

 iiours. 



Quantities of Solidago in variety, Aster Novae- Anglioe, and other 

 plants contributed to the beauty of one display. One lad of ten 

 years of age presented nearh^ fifty varieties of wild plants 

 labelled by himself. 



To one used to the various trials and vicissitudes incident to 

 horticultural exhibitions, when the professional raisers display 

 their results either for their employees or for their own advantage, 

 it was instructive and at the same time amusing to witness the 

 «ame jealousies evinced, the same anxiety manifested, lest another 

 should bear away the coveted award. To be sure criticisms were 

 not loud or deep, but there were criticisms earnest and saddening, 

 which could, however, be more easily explained away than can be 

 •done when the contestants are adults. Outside of the advertised 



