130 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



comparison. Man}' other plants have been added to the collec- 

 tion ; some of which are proving valuable and others of little 

 account. In ornamental grounds, it seldom happens that a group 

 of apple-trees when out of bloom, can be made attractive, espe- 

 cially in the midst of flowers ; but the Committee were highly 

 pleased with Mr. Gray's artistic use of a few old trees, so placed 

 on one of the newer walks as to form, by their round tops and 

 spreading branches, a retreat of delightful shade, well suited to 

 camellias and grove-loving plants. 



In bedding plants, Mr. Gray has been uncommonly successful. 

 His masses of blooms almost conceal the foliage, and there is a 

 richness and uniformity of coloring in his groupings quite unusual. 

 His ivy borders and floral embroidery were especially remarked ! 

 Although heaAy storms, which preceded this visit, had beaten 

 furiously upon his geraniums, yet the flowers were plentiful and 

 striking ; and his beds of succulents were liberal and pleasing, 

 Agaves, Echeverias, &c., being interspersed with the border plants. 



Good specimens of Wigandias and Aralias of diflerent varieties, 

 attracted notice. The large-leaved Caladiums also had place. 

 With him, the Aralia canescens had proved quite hardy. 



Of variegated plants, besides the geraniums, the Abutilons and 

 gold and silver Hollies were conspicuous. These Hollies, generally 

 regarded as teixler, are to take their chance through the winter 

 under a simple covering of boards, to test their endurance. 



The variegated Ailantus, obtained from Dr. Hall, and which 

 was specially noticed in the last report, still holds its position at 

 the end of the walk, and sports its yellow leaves in the sunshine 

 as wonderful as ever. This and its former companion at Dr. 

 Hall's, may safely challenge competition. 



The Cannas were exceedingly plentiful and efiective. The va- 

 rieties recommended by your Committee a year ago, as among the 

 best, have proved to be so the past season, namel3^ the Anneii 

 Discolor, Marechal Valliant, Xigricans, Primice de Nice and Mus~ 

 cefolia sanguinea. The same may be said of the old geraniums ; 

 the General Grant, Orhicxdatum, Maid of Kent, Mountain of Snow 

 and Crystal-] 'alace Gem still hold their superior rank. And to 

 these we may now add, as the best of the new varieties for bedding, 

 the Princess Alexandra, which excels the Mountain of Snow ; the 

 Albion Cliff, a vigorous grower, white-edged, and the 3frs. J. C. 

 Ma^^pin, a creamy-colored white. For shades of scarlet and crim- 



