report of committee on flowers. 51 



Reportof the Committee on Plants and Flowers, 



for the year 1870. 

 BY J. C. HOVEY, CHAIRMAN. 



The Committee on Plants and Flowers for 1870, respectfully submit 

 the following Report: — Although the past season has been a very un- 

 favoralDle one for the growth and development of open air flowers (caused 

 by the long continued drought,) the exhibitions have been generally 

 good, and in a number of cases better than last year. 



Your Committee are pleased to note the lively interest taken by our 

 members in the raising of hybrid flowers from seed. Heretofore we 

 have relied too much on European productions, and not experimented 

 ourselves. Among the first triumphs in this direction might be men- 

 tioned the fine class of Carnation Pinks, originated by our President, J. 

 F. C. Hyde, Esq., and known as Hyde's Seedlings. The advantages of 

 these, over imported varieties, are many: first, they are more robust and 

 flower more abundantly; second, they never split in the flower; and 

 third, they are perfectly hardy. These three points ought to insure their 

 general cultivation, if no other. 



During the past season the following seedling flowers have been ex- 

 hibited, which are worthy of particular mention: 



June 2, PI. H. Hunnewell showed fourteen plants of seedling Coleus, 

 the marking of each being very distinct and decided in color, and were, 

 without doubt, the best lot of seedlings of this useful bedding plant that 

 has ever been exhibited at our rooms. 



June 11, E. S. Hand, Jr., showed specimens of a new seedling Rhodo- 

 dendron, named Daisy Rand; flowers and truss very large, rosy purple, 

 light centre, and of great substance; foliage dark green; plant very 

 hardy; of Catawbiense habit; promises well. 



July 9, John Richardson exhibited flowers of a fine seedling Herba- 

 ceous PjBony named Dorchester; flowers medium size, rose color, finely 

 imbricated and very sweet scented; jDlant erect and of good habit. 



Same date, Francis Parkman showed specimens of a double seedling 

 Delphinium named John C. Hovey; flower light blue, very double, in 

 long, well shaped spikes; is a valuable variety. 



Mr. Parkman also exhibited, at this exhibition, a number of remark- 

 able seedling Lilies, which he describes as follows: — They do not much 

 exceed eighteen inches in height, and appear to be perfectly hardy, and 

 of the easiest culture in common soil. The flowers are upright at the 



