6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the weekly exhibitions. George Craft of Brookline exhibited through the season 

 over three hundred spikes of seedlings, many very fine, embracing more than 

 two hundred distinct varieties, some of which were fully equal to our best import- 

 ed varieties. W. C. Strong was also a large contributor, both in Seedlings and 

 named varieties ; his premium Seedling of last ypar, and now named Parknianii, 

 was again exhibited, and much admired. A remarkable seedling was also ex- 

 hibited by James McTear, a double variety, averaging about eighteen petals 

 each, circular in form, broadly expanded, measuring six inches in diameter, color 

 flesh with a salmon tint, streaked with rose. This variety was awarded the 

 Society's Silver Medal. 



H. H. Hunnewell exhibited on the twelfth of August a collection of thirty- 

 seven name(J varieties, all of which were very fine. Francis Parkman, Hovey 

 & Co., Joseph Breck, and others, were frequent exhibitors through the season. 



Verbenas were sparingly exhibited, and inferior in quality ; the trusses were 

 small, and there was no improvement in form, or color. The rust, a disease 

 which for several years has attacked almost every collection, and is as yet so 

 little understood, is the principal reason why the verbena is losing ground to 

 newer and more vigorous rivals. 



The display of Asters was fine, and notwithstanding the extreme drought 

 and heat, the flowers were fully of an average size. 



Double Zinnias were also shown in their usual size and excellence, and in 

 greater varieties than usual ; one, a very neat light rose, came from the Botanic 

 Garden, quite new in color. Few new plants were exhibited. The most strik- 

 ing amongst the Annuals, was a singular, beautiful, rosy purple flower from 

 Texas, Palafoxia Hookeriana. It is said to bloom freely through the summer. 

 It was exhibited by Hovey & Co. They also contributed flowers of the new 

 Japan Iris in several varieties, very beautiful, perfectly hardy, and quite distinct 

 from any other known kinds. James McTear also exhibited varieties of the 

 same, all being raised we believe from seed obtained from Japan. 



The Annual Exhibition, held for the first time in our new and spacious Halls, 

 was in every respect a successful one. The display of plants was the finest 

 for years, perhaps never surpassed, and included every form and variety, from 

 the gigantic Pine of Chili to the humble creeping moss. In the collection of 

 twenty varieties there were four exhibitors. Botanic Garden, Cambridge ; W. 

 T. Merrifield, Worcester ; Hovey & Co., Cambridge, and W. C. Strong of 

 Brighton. 



In the collection of ten distinct variegated-leaved plants, Jonathan French 

 exhibited very nice ones ; his collection of Ferns and Caladiums were much 

 admired. H. H. Hunnewell, James McTear, J. G. Chandler, and several 

 others added to the interest by their collections. The display of flowers, though 

 certainly not deficient, was hardly equal in quality to previous displays. This 

 will not be wondered at if we bear in mind the long and severe drought. The 

 wonder was how such a fine display could be made at the end of such an 

 unprecedented and unfavorable season. To the gardeners, florists and amateurs 

 who contributed bo liberally, and to whose exertions under such untoward 



