REPORT OF COMMITTEE O^ GARDENING. 147 



EXHIBITIDN ON THE COMMON. 



The fairy-like scene within that mammoth tent, where splendid 

 trusses of eveiy hue, with gauze-like ruffles, edged or dashed with 

 marvellous effect, rose up like phantoms to the vision, riding or 

 fluttering upon the polished leaves of countless branches, — cannot 

 be described. But transient as it was, its beauty still remains in 

 memory, and its influence will long be felt. 



Of the many exquisite plants there gathered, the following may 

 be named among the best Rhododendrons : — 



Of the light colors (pink, pale rose, blush, and white) Lady 

 Armstrong, Stella, Elfrida, \Purity, Concessum, Azureum, Perfec- 

 tion. Odoratibm, Album elegans, Album grandifiorum, and Lady 

 Eleanor Cathcart ; for crimson, Mrs. Milner, Fleur de Mane ; 

 Alarm, Vondyck, H. H. Hunnewell, and IL H . Sargent ; for 

 hlood red, At I osavguineum; for scarlet, Titian, Mrs. Bovill, and 

 Brayamim; for lilac, the favorite Everehtianum and Fastuosum, 

 both great bloomers. The Fimbriatam, Kettledrum, and RolUnsonii 

 are also good. 



Hardy Rhododendrons. 



If any one should ask, " WhicJi are perfectly hardy and desirable, 

 and at moderate cost ? ". the reply may be : For blush and white, 

 Goriaceum, Delicatissimum, Album elegans, and Album grandiflo- 

 rum; for rose, Roseum elegans and Hannibal; for lilac and purple, 

 Purpureum elegans, Purpureum grandijltrum, and Everestianum; 

 for a laie bloomer, Macranthum ; for blood red flowers and fine 

 foliage, Atrosanguineum ; for dark purple, ^ee's Purple; for va- 

 riety, add Gloriosum, Grandiflorum, Gigayrteum, Goelestinum, and 

 Bicolo'-. The finest hardy white rhododendron is probably Mrs. 

 John Clutton, but it is new and expensive. 



Although the Rhododendron Exhibition does not come within the 

 special province of this coinmittee, yet it occupies so prominent a 

 place in relation to ornamental gardening, that it may fitly be men- 

 tioned here. Indeed, it would be hardly excusable to allow it to 

 pass, without extracting fiom it all the information and encouragCT 

 ment possible. 



Later in the season (Sept. 10th) came the meeting of the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society, an event to be marked with red in our 

 calendar. By their kind acceptance of our hospitality, we were 

 brought for several days into a happy fellowship with many of 



