16 



flowers could be arranged, aiid what pretty effects could 

 be produced by skilful fingers." 



The season of 1861 was one of the most unfavorable 

 ever known both for fruits and flowers ; yet at the Rose 

 Show bushels of flow^ers were taken away for want of 

 room to show them. The Rogers's hybrid grapes were 

 first shown. The Eucharis Amazonica, Lapageria rosea, 

 and Caladium argyrites, were among the notabilities 

 in plants. 1862 was as favorable for an abundance of 

 fruits and flowers as the preceding year had been un- 

 propitious, and was noted for the appearance of the 

 Lillum auratiim, and for the ninth session of the Ameri- 

 can Pomological Society. The next year came the 

 Coleus Verschaffeiti, and the first of those beautiful dis- 

 plays of seedling gladioli which now form so attractive 

 a portion of our exhibitions. In 1864 the hybrid per- 

 petual roses were recorded as very large and perfect. 

 At the Annual Show there were eighteen or twenty 

 baskets of flowers (some arranged with exquisite taste), 

 a collection of twenty-five varieties of native grapes, and 

 one of a hundred and two varieties of beans. 



This closes what we have designated the second era 

 in the history of the society. It will be seen, that, as 

 respects the pear, the work of coUections during this era 

 culminated, and the work of selection had well pro- 

 gressed. It was during this period that two of our 

 most valuable native pears, the Dana's Hovey and 

 Clapp's Favorite, were originated by members of the 

 society, and first made known through its exhibitions. 

 A great number of varieties of strawberries had been 

 tested, including all the European kinds of high 

 repute, most of which had proved not to be adapted 

 to this climate. We have noted the commencement of 

 the excitement in regard to native grapes, and the 

 advent of the Concord, the Allen's Hybrid, and other 

 improved varieties, and the share of our society in the 



