200 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



iufluence the use of hardy plants iu gardeuiug must have received 

 a great impetus throughout the West. 



A few of the individual exhibits which were of superlative 

 merit were Pitcher & Manda's magnificent display of decorative 

 plants ; the canuas from Dreer, Vaughan, Piersou, and Craig ; the 

 cacti from Blanc ; the rhododendrons from Moser and Waterer, 

 the last including a most instructive collection of seedlings, and 

 the fancy caladiums from Rio Janeiro, which were a revelation. 

 In general the irises, poeonies, campanulas, poppies, pansies, 

 azaleas and other outdoor displays on the Island iu the early 

 months were wonderfully fine. The opportunity given to the 

 seedsmen for the competitive exhibits of florists' flowers, including 

 cyclamens, cinerarias, primroses, and calceolarias, was taken full 

 advantage of, and although sharply criticised at the time, proved 

 to be well worth all it cost, for it attracted many thousands of 

 visitors to the grounds before the Fair proper was opened, and the 

 exhibits were of the highest merit, clearly demonstrating the 

 marvellous results possible from close attention to the development 

 and improvement of specialties. It is much to be regretted that 

 of gladioli, which are now exported from this country by millions, 

 the only exhibit of any extent was a foreign one. Tuberoses, 

 another important American product, were scarcely seen. The 

 extensive display of horticultural implements of American manu- 

 facture ; also the examples of greenhouse construction, heating, 

 and ventilation shown by our horticultural builders, were most 

 creditable, considering the opportunities afforded. 



The system of judging and awards at the World's Fair has been 

 the cause of much dissatisfaction, and it is not probable that it 

 will be regarded as worthy of adoption on any future occasion. 

 It sounded much better in theory than it proved to be in practice. 

 The one-judge plan is un-American in principle, and places too 

 much responsibility on one man ever to become popular. The 

 interests of every competitor in an exhibition demand that the 

 chances of an unfair verdict be minimized as far as possible. 

 Against a decision reached after due deliberation by three 

 experts, no protest can have any weight. This question of judg- 

 ing is of vital importance to every society, for unless exhibitors 

 are satisfied that every precaution has been taken to secure full 

 justice tliey will stay away. 



