REPORT OF COMMITTEE OP ARRANGEMENTS. 67 



REPORT OE THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS, 



For the Annual Exhibition, September 19, 20, 21, 22, 1865. 

 BY P. BRCWN HOVEY, CHAIRMAW. 



The Annual Exhibition, for 1865, was held at the time appointed, in their 

 new and commodious Halls, which had just been dedicated to the uses 

 of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. The season, in consequence of 

 the long and excessive drought, had been unfavorable for fruit generally, and 

 some doubts existed that we should be able to fill our new and enlarged 

 quarters, but on the opening day of the Exhibition, it soon became apparent 

 that all our available room would be required, to accommodate the large 

 number of contributions offered. And although the Committee did all in their 

 power to provide table room, some few competitors may have been incommoded, 

 it was hinted that the Society had made a mistake in not purchasing the 

 adjoining estate. 



It has, however, been suggested that we shall have sufficient room in these 

 Halls for our Annual Exhibitions, if the Committees have the courage to 

 exclude all fruit which is inferior, or if contributors themselves would avoid 

 placing any but choice specimens on our tables. 



In the Fruit Department there was a deficiency in the quantity and quality 

 of the Apples, and of Native Grapes ; but this was, perhaps, more than coun- 

 terbalanced by the magnificent display of Pears, which were generally 

 acknowledged to surpass, by their uniformly large size and excellence, any 

 previous exhibitions of this fruit. 



The Plants embraced many well-grown specimens, for particulars of which, 

 reference is made to the Report of the Committee on Flowers. A group of 

 Pineapple plants in fruit, from the garden of Gov. Sprague of Providence, 

 attracted much attention. The plants were selected with a view to exhibit 

 the fruit in its different stages of growth from inflorescence to maturity. These, 

 we believe, were the first specimens of this fruit, of domestic culture, which 

 have been shown here. 



The Floral Display was creditable to the Society, but was much diminished 

 in consequence of the unpredecented and long-continued drought. 



The display of Vegetables was undoubtedly the finest and most extensive 

 ever made by the Society, and received many commendations from visitors 

 to the Exhibition. A very marked improvement was visible in the selection 

 and quality of the various kinds. Much credit is due to the Committee on 

 Vegetables for their successful efforts in rendering this useful and important 

 department so attractive and interesting. 



