REPORT OF COiLMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 231 



whose contributions more than filled the whole centre table running 

 the length of the lower hall. Fine collections of trusses of Rho- 

 dodendrons were sent in by Joseph H. AVhite, John L. Gardner, 

 Nathaniel T. Kidder, Edwin Sheppard & Son, Joseph Clark, and 

 from Newton Cemetery. 



Mrs. Hayes also showed several plants of Bignonia proBcox 

 superba, from Japan; a superb addition to the class of hardy 

 drooping shrubs. This was awarded a First Class Certificate of 

 Merit. 



John L. Gardner was awarded a First Class Certificate of Merit 

 for Utricularia nelumhifoUa. 



June 14, we had a continuation of the Rhododendron Exhibi- 

 tion, and the display made by Mrs. Francis B. Hayes fairly eclipsed 

 the grand show she made the Saturday previous. She staged more 

 than five hundi'ed trusses, comprising more than one hundred 

 varieties of the best kinds grown. We cannot say too much in 

 praise of this great exhibition of grand flowers, but, as a slight 

 expression of appreciation of their merit, she was awarded the 

 Society's Gold Medal, which is the highest award we can confer, 

 and well she deserved the honor. 



ROSE EXHIBITION. 

 June 24 and 25. 



It is gratifying to be able to record the fact that this Rose Show 

 was an unqualified success. 



The arrangiement of the hall was such that on entering one 

 saw nothing in bloom but roses. " Taverner," the correspondent 

 of the " Boston Post," wrote : " I do not remember a finer collec- 

 tion of magnificent specimens." A contributor to "Garden and 

 Forest," also wrote as follows : — 



" The Roses as a whole were distinguished b}' a remarkable 

 evenness of excellence which must have made judging a diflS- 

 cult matter; b}' good foliage and by flowers well colored, but not 

 of such enormous size as these shows have sometimes called out. 

 Not the least attractive part of this exhibition was the display of 

 Foxgloves grouped on the stage at the end of the upper hall, which 

 produced a remarkable and striking effect." 



It is well to have our own opinions confirmed by such reliable 



