is bringing something new and still more rare and valuable — 

 should incite to greater efforts and constant improvement. 



So progressive and rapid are the present advances of Hor- 

 ticulture, aided by the co-operation of its kindred studies, 

 that the annual festival of a Society reminds the observer of 

 new facts and important acquisitions. It has therefore been 

 deemed advisable, that the review of the past year, be in- 

 stituted ; and whatever facts have transpired, or suggestions 

 made, be furnished as the Annals of the Massachusetts Hor- 

 ticultural Society. In order to insure the success of this 

 first effort to publish a condensed view of its Acts in every 

 department of flower and fruit, a committee has been judi- 

 ciously appointed, whose interest in each portion of horticul- 

 tural skill, will be able to effect the purpose. By the co- 

 operation of this Committee the following is offered : 



1. The Open Flower Garden. 



2. The Green-house and Stove. 



3. The Nursery and Fruit Department. 



4. The Vegetable Department. 



5. The Native Flora and its Culture. 



6. Remarks and Notices. 



7. Weekly Exhibitions. 



8. Annual Festival. 



1. THE OPEN FLOWER GARDEN. 



Pre-eminent in interest at the present time, and rivalling in 

 beauty of contour the queenly rose, the Dahlia of Mexico 

 claims our early notice. Notwithstanding so much has been 

 said and written on this superb production of Flora under its 

 countless varieties, touching its history, culture, and numer- 

 ous topics connected with it, yet not a season has transpired 

 without producing to the amateur florist or to the general 

 naturalist, something new or peculiar. From two or three 

 comparatively insignificant varieties of two supposed species 



