274 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



March 23. The Cultivation of the Onion, by Hon. James J. 

 H. Gregory, Marblehead. 



March 30. Short Papers and Discussions on General Subjects 

 Relating to Horticulture. 



These essays and discussions are published in the Transactions 

 of the Society, which are free to all its members. The Society 

 appropriated sis thousand dollars to be awarded in premiums 

 and gratuities during the year. This Society owns the most com- 

 plete Horticultural Library in this country ; rich especially in 

 illustrated foreig.i standard works on Botany, Floriculture, and 

 Pomology. 



The Society had the misfortune to meet with a heav}' loss by 

 fire in their beautiful hall in December last. 



The Annual Spring Exhibition opened March 27. It is always 

 a display of great interest to all flower lovers. The upper hall 

 being under repairs on account of the recent fire, the show 

 was held in the lower hall. It comprised the hardy spring 

 flowering bulbs — Hyacinths, Tulips, Lilies, and Narcissus ;^ 

 these bulbs were all well grown, especiall}' the Hyacinths, many 

 of the spikes being very large and fine. The Indian Azaleas were 

 masses of bloom and attracted much attention. Then came that 

 curious family of plants, the Orchids, with their great variety of 

 colors. The Cinerarias were well grown and in fine flower and 

 the show of cut flowers was large and very beautiful. Among the 

 vegetables were fine Lettuce, Radishes, Rhubarb, Asparagus, and 

 Cucumbers — all of excellent qualit3\ 



The Rhododendron Show was held one week earlier than the 

 Schedule time on account of the forwardness of the season. On 

 entering the hall the first view of a long table in the centre was 

 one of great beauty. The fiowers were of large size, fine form, 

 and in colors from pure white to dark purple and rich crimson. 

 The show of vegetables was large and excellent. 



The Rose and Strawberry Show also was held one week earlier 

 than usual. It is fitting that the Rose — the queen of flowers — 

 and the Strawberry — the king of small fruits — should meet on 

 the exhibition table, to receive the praises that are their due. The 

 show of hardy roses was not as large as in the preceding year, 

 but what was lacking in number was made up in beauty of form 

 and richness of colors. A fine group of Tea roses attracted much 

 attention ; particularly the pure white Bride, the radiant Mermet, 

 the rosy American Beauty, the sweet scented Niphetos, and the 



