30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



expending more money than kindred societies, receives the least return ; and 

 they would therefore recommend a general reduction of all the prizes, so as to 

 render pecuniary profit impossible, trusting by this means to awaken a spirit 

 of generous competition, having for its object the obtaining the prize, and not 

 the pecuniary value of the prize. 



They would also recommend the institution of Diplomas of Commendation 

 and Labels of Commendation for new, rare, or meritorious exhibitions, accord- 

 ing to the mode pursued at the English Horticultural Societies. Also a more 

 general distribution of the silver and bronze medals of the Society, and the 

 striking of other appropriate medals in silver or bronze of greater and less 

 value than those we have at present. 



Your Committee also propose, in view of the general ignorance on the sub- 

 ject of well grown plants and florists' flowers, to issue at an early day a con- 

 densed statement of what constitutes excellence or perfection in both of these 

 departments, and upon this standard the prizes will in future be awarded, and 

 all not complying with it will be excluded from competition. 



It is also proposed to hold weekly or monthly discussions on floricultural 

 subjects, under the superintendence of the Committee, open to all members of 

 the Society, or friends introduced by them, the plan of which will be laid 

 before the Society at a future day. The Committee trust by these means to 

 awaken a new interest in floriculture, and to increase the sphere of influence 

 of the Society. 



The attendance at the Exhibition of the Society, during the past season, 

 has been, with one exception, limited ; and the receipts from the floral exhi- 

 bitions have been very small. It becomes a serious question whether the 

 public have not become surfeited with Horticultural displays, and whether it 

 ■would not be advantageous to have less frequent exhibitions ; your Committee 

 respectfully recon)mend this subject to the consideration of the Society. The 

 experience of the past few years has certainly shown that the public in general 

 value a dime more than the finest horticultural display, if the attendance at 

 our exhibitions is any indication. 



During the past season there have been some displays of great merit ; the 

 best were those of Spooner &. Co., Breck & Son, anl Barnes &. Washburn, of 

 fine Gladiolus. 



We now pass to a review of flowers exhibited : 



Camellias have shown no improvement over previous years ; the displays 

 have been small, and the flowers of no remarkable excellence. 



Ericas have been sparingly exhibited, but the plants have generally been 

 either very small or poorly grown. 



Epacris have been better than ever before. The plants have shown careful 

 treatment, and in fine habit and profusion of flowers have been superior. 



Greemiouse Azaleas have been good, but not superior to those of former 

 years. We noticed many long-legged specimens. 



Pelargonicms. — No displays of merit. 



