REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 337 



well. There were also planted some Cumberland, Jersey Queen, 

 and Bay State, this last named, a seedling, raised by Mr. Heustis ; 

 but of this he does not feel justified in saying much at present. 

 There were many other seedlings from the Jewell and Belmont, 

 none of which have yet fruited enough for one to form any opinion 

 of their merits, but another season may prove what they are. Mr. 

 Heustis says that in raising seedling strawberries if he gets one 

 good one out of two hundred he thinks that well worth trying for, 

 and the Committee believe that in the future he will place upon our 

 tables the proofs of his success as he has done in the past. 



In addition to strawberry culture, Mr. Heustis, as is well known 

 to most of us, has given attention to the cultivation of the Rose. 

 The collection contains about 800 plants of the leading Hybrid 

 Perpetual varieties, which have been planted from one to eight 

 years. They are in beds 200 feet long by 12 feet wide, the rows 

 running across the beds, each row being of a different variety. 

 In most cases five of each have been planted, but in some, more 

 than that number, the selection being from the best known kinds 

 in cultivation. Those which were planted eight years ago were 

 never more vigorous than at the present time. The plants were 

 all budded and undoubtedly most of them have rooted above the 

 bud, adding greatly to the strength of the plant. The fine display 

 of flowers was ample proof of the high state of cultivation bestowed 

 upon them, and greatly increased the pleasure of our visit. 



The Committee award to Messrs. Heustis the First Prize of $30 

 for the best Market Strawberry Garden. 



Wellesley, the Residence of H. H. Hunnewell. 



Although not invited in an official capacity, your Committee 

 enjoyed the pleasure of a visit, with other gentlemen, to this 

 charming estate when the Rhododendrons and Azaleas were in 

 their greatest glory. To prepare a detailed description of this 

 elegant estate is a task not easily performed. The great progress 

 made from year to yeaj and the added beauty of the place 

 as the trees and shrubs advance in size must be seen to be 

 appreciated. The Rhododendrons form one of the greatest attrac- 

 tions of the place, and the interest Mr. Hunnewell has taken in 

 their culture is a sufficient guarantee that the collection is one of 

 the choicest, if not the very best on this side of the Atlantic. In 

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