12 



was appreciated as its founders intended it should be. 

 Its objects seemed all at once to become apparent." 

 The possession of a home of its own made it a perma- 

 nent institution in the community. The increased taste 

 for horticulture, which had led to the erection of a hall, 

 was, in its turn, stimulated by the possession of this 

 beautiful building. The amount of money appropriated 

 for prizes — which was in 1829 only $188, and had been 

 gradually increased to |46() in 1844 — was in 1845 raised 

 to f 1,200 ; and the exhibitions became so extensive, 

 that it is difficult to select the objects most worthy of 

 notice. Bouquets were exhibited in great profusion. 

 There were on the 21st of June, 1845, no less than 

 thirty-three, from eight contributors, and in a multi- 

 plicity of forms, — round and flat vase-bouquets, round 

 and flat hand-bouquets, doubled-faced flat hand-bou- 

 quets, circular bouquets, &c. At the Annual Exhi- 

 bition, prizes were offered for the best designs ; and a 

 floral temple, a Gothic monument, and a Chinese pa- 

 goda, each from fifteen to eighteen feet high, were 

 exhibited, besides smaller designs, such as a harp, a 

 plough, an eagle, and a Newfoundland dog, covered 

 with pressed black hollyhocks and gray moss, and carry- 

 ing a basket of flowers. The Stephanotis floribwida. " a 

 very rare and elegant hot-house climber," Avas shown 

 by J. M. Thorburn & Co. of New York. 



The beginning of the next year (1846) was signal- 

 ized by awards, of the value of fifty dollars each, for 

 the production of the seedling camellias of Mr. Wilder, 

 the Queen of the Prairies rose of Samuel Feast of 

 Baltimore, and the Hovey's Seedling strawberry. The 

 ]..a Reine and Souvenir de Malmaison roses were shown. 

 The exhibitions of fruit were stimulated by the offer of 

 special prizes by John P. Cushing. In 1847 the Pro- 

 spective Prizes were established, and medals w^ere pro- 

 cured to be awarded as premiums. At this time, and for 



