4 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



greenhouses, and hothouses, and lastly those long rows of standard pear 

 trees, so well remembered by most of us, and which kept us moving till near 

 nightfall. Strawberry culture has had a large share of attention, and Mr. 

 Hovey has been at great expense importing foreign varieties, and now seema 

 to be reaping his reward. We noticed more glass going up, and other evi- 

 dences of continued zeal, and onward progress. Among the pear trees we 

 especially noticed a row of " Swan's Orange," loaded down with large fair 

 fruit, the most attractive perhaps in the whole collection; Sheldon also looked 

 finely, and the Moore's Pound, Dana's Hovey, Caboi, and others ; the lower 

 portion of the grounds being a different soil showed most the effects of the 

 prevailing drought; the borders were generally mulched with seaweed and 

 bountifully watered, and it was evident an eye was had to large specimens for 

 the coming exhibition. 



In closing this my last report, and withdrawing from the Garden Committee, 

 I may be permitted to congratulate the Society upon the nomination, and of 

 course election, of a gentleman, so eminently qualified for the duties of chair- 

 man of this Committee ; one whose good taste has abundantly shown itself in 

 his own extensive grounds, and whose interesting let^rs from abroad the past 

 year, have shown discrimination, close observation and thorough knowledge of 

 landscape gardening, flowers and kindred art. 



Mr. Hunnewell's generosity to us in the past, is a pledge for his interest in 

 our affairs, and under his lead we may anticipate renewed emulation and pro- 

 gress in gardening. 



The Committee recommend the following prizes : 



To Dr. E. G. Kelly, for his industry and skill in trimming and man- 

 agement of Evergreen hedges, and economy of culture in 

 garden and grounds, first prize of .... . #2.5 00 



To Mr. H. Davis, for general thrift of pear nursery and grape vines, 



and fine show of pears, gratuity of . . . . . 20 00 



To Mr. John C. Hovey, for skill and industry exhibited in growing 



asters and other flowers, a gratuity of . . . . 20 00 



To Hovey & Co., for skill in strawberry culture, and general thrift 



of flower and ornamental department, gratuity of . . . 20 00 



For the Committee, 



W. R. AUSTIN, Chairman. 



