192 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY. 



He pins a piece of tissue paper over flowers to preserve them for 

 exhibition. He uses every kind of fertilizer. The dahlia attempts 

 too much, and is improved by taking off part of the buds. 



Mr. Hovey would encourage the cultivation of dwarf Bouquet 

 dahlias rather than laying down tall growing varieties. By 

 improving the dwarfs much better results may be secured. Last 

 fall he saw a plant of the White Bouquet variety bearing twenty 

 flowers. 



John S. Martin said he had greatly enjoyed the interesting and 

 valuable lecture upon the Dahlia, its properties and needs. But 

 he would recommend, especially to amateurs, the growing of 

 dwarf varieties. While this class possesses great beauty of form 

 and richness of colors in the flowers they are very free bloomers. 

 The compact growth of the plants permits the cultivator to have a 

 large number of varieties upon a small area. Another advantage 

 from their low stature is the ease with which they can be fully 

 protected from early frosts, thus securing the continued enjoy- 

 ment of their varied beauty long after the tall growing varieties 

 have been destro3'ed. 



The Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion, 

 stated that Hon. Henry L. Parker of Worcester would be unable to 

 present the paper announced on the programme for next Saturday, 

 and that the meeting, which would be the last of the season, 

 would be open for the discussion of such subjects as might be 

 suggested. 



BUSINESS MEETING. 



Saturday, March 29, 1890. 



An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at half-past 

 eleven o'clock, the President, William H. Spooner, in the Chair. 



The Secretary read a letter from Hon. John W. Candler, 

 acknowledging the receipt of the Resolutions and Memorial of the 

 American Forestry Association approved by this Society, and 

 stating that he is interested in the subject to which they refer and 

 would give them careful consideration. 



