iF^ E3 :f> o :e=l T 



Of THE 



C0M31ITTEE OX PLANTS AND FLOAVERS, 



»POR THE YEAR 1873. 



"When we closed our last annual report, it was with the hope that, 

 at the end of the present 3'car, we might be able to report progress in 

 this department, and in many respects this wish has been realized. 

 The impromptu exliil)itions held during the earl}^ part of the year 

 were never attended with more interest, owing partly to the fact that 

 the discussions tended largely to increase the attendance, and also 

 prompted many to bring their plants and flowers for exhibition. The 

 seedling Camellias of Mr. Hovey, which were specially mentioned in 

 last year's report, have fully, thus far, borne out all that was said of 

 them at that time ; and we were also much pleased to see some of 

 Mr. Wilder's fine seedlings, which were vcr^-^ beautiful. From his 

 early success with this flower, we were not surprised to learn that 

 be was still interested ; and in the subject bad renewed his youth to 

 such a degree, that he said he had resolved to raise another hundred 

 seedling Camellias. May lie live to see them all large, flowering 

 plants ! There were also exhibited magnificent rose buds of Bon 

 Silene, Climbing Devoniensis, Isabella Sprunt, Marechal Neil, 

 and many other fine sorts from James Comley, and Hove}' & Co. 

 The "Novelties" perhaps have been fewer in number than last 

 year ; but each exhibition has had some special feature. Owing to 

 the extremely dry weather, the cut flowers, which have always been 

 a prominent feature of the cxliibitions, have been much below their 

 usual standard. The number of exhibitors during the year has 

 been ninety-six ; and during the latter part .of the season, and 

 especially at the annual exhibition, there has been a good compe- 

 tition for all the premiums. We have, as in seasons past, seen 

 at every exh^)iti,Qn mos,t of the old contribitors ; among whom. 



