REPORTS OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 363 



Late in June is held the Rose and Strawberry Exhibition, where 

 is such a magnificent display as well justifies the title of Queen 

 of Flowers to the rose, and also intensifies our faith in the opinion 

 of old Dr. Butler, who, according to Izaak Walton, said that 

 " doubtless God could have made a better berry than the straw- 

 berry, but doubtless God never did," 



The Annual Exhibition in September is a very grand show of 

 hot-house plants, flowers in pots, cut flowers, and bouquets, fruits 

 of all kinds, and vegetables perfect in their varieties and in their 

 forms. These, as a collection of object lessons in the school of 

 horticulture, should be visited and studied by every one who has 

 or can make the opportunity. 



The fourth great exhibition occurs in November, especially for 

 the exposition of that very popular flower, the Chrysanthemum, 

 of which there were hundreds of every variety and known hue. 

 Splendid specimens of apples, pears, and vegetables were also 

 exhibited. 



There are also prize exhibitions of fruits, flowers, and vege- 

 tables, every Saturday in July, August, and September, until the 

 Annual Exhibition. 



These frequent meetings and exhibitions develop to the full all 

 the skill and energy of these growers about Boston. They criticise 

 each other's operations, — approve and adopt, or reject, — they 

 communicate each to the other their modes of cultivation — or if one 

 does not, and only shows results — the others set themselves to 

 find the secret of his success, and to surpass it. 



Every oue strives to excel in whatever he undertakes. He has 

 to, to live. They make their living by the most careful, intelligent, 

 skilled labor in their profession. 



If farmers were so situated as to have such gatherings, the 

 character of much of their farming operations would change greatly 

 to their profit. The splendor of these shows is greatly enhanced 

 by the free-handed liberality of wealthy gentlemen living not only 

 in Boston, but in some cases miles away, who willingly send by 

 wagons and by cars the most costly and splendid productions and 

 ornaments of their greenhouses, often at no small hazard and loss. 

 Nor should those skilled and painstaking gentlemen who pro- 

 duce and care for these rare and gorgeous plants be passed with- 

 out a most honorable mention. 



The influence of this Society has been extended and far reaching 



