24 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



each, suitabl}- inscrilied, one of which was given to Mr. "Wilder 

 for "beautiful exhibitions of Cumellias, Roses, and Dahlias, era- 

 bracing many new varieties imported by him from Europe;" 

 showing that he was already recognized as a leader in horticul- 

 ture. 



July '2, 1836, Mr. Wilder exhibited fine specimens of Gladiolus 

 Jlorihnndus, and June 24, 1837, a plant of Oncidiuvi Jlexuosum 

 which had at one time ninety-seven fully expanded flowers. This 

 was the first orchid reported at any exhibition. At a Geranium 

 Show on the 28th of April, 1838, the best dis|jlay was made by 

 him. At the Annual Exhibition that year he had a magnificent 

 Stanhoi)ea qitadricornis. At this time the taste for the Camellia 

 was universal and the collections were numerous, comprising ever}' 

 choice variety of native or foreign origin. That of Mr. Wilder 

 stood first, there having been added to it within a year twenty-one 

 of the newest varieties from China, England, Germany, Belgium, 

 and Italy. Rhododendron arboreum in his collection exhibited 

 nearly one hundred flower buds. Among the rare and curious 

 tropical orchids which had been introduced, a dozen or more species 

 might be found at Mr. Wilder's. Of these Stanhnpea insigttis, a 

 rare and curious species, produced a superb inflorescence exciting 

 universal admiration. 



The Dahlia was at this time the favorite autumnal flower, and 

 ver}' extensive exhibitions were held, to which Mr. Wilder was one 

 of the largest contributors. Ilis displays in the autumn of 1839 

 at the Annual Exhibition of this Society, and at a Special Dahlia 

 Exhibition in the Conservatory in the Public Garden, were so bril- 

 liant that some of the admirers of this gorgeous flower presented 

 him with a silver vase, bearing an appropriate inscription and the 

 motto " Consequitur quodcunque petit " to testify the pleasure the}^ 

 had received, in common with thousands of their fellow-citizens for 

 several years, from these displays. A Special Grand Dahlia Show 

 was held on the 23d of September, 1840, continuing four days. 

 Nearly three thousand superb blooms were displayed on this occa- 

 sion ; besides asters and other annuals. A Premier Prize for the 

 best six dissimilar blooms and a prize for the best specimen bloom 

 were both taken by Mr. Wilder. The other prizes were in two 

 divisions; the first open to cultivators of more, and the second to 

 cultivators of less, than two hundred plants. Of course Mr. 

 Wilder was in the first division ; the highest prizes were two for 

 the best twenty-four dissimilar blooms, of which he took the first. 



