REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 295 



once the fruit and kitclien gardens were seen, the trees laden 

 with hiscious fruits, the vegetables in greatest abundance, the 

 flower-garden and pleasure-grounds the admiration of the passer- 

 by and the attraction of the many — now the new street is found, 

 and modern flats or cottage residences occupy the place of the 

 once well-kept gardens. Then the indefatigable, persistent, tree- 

 agent comes along and with his chromos bewitches the occupant or 

 owner of the place, who is induced to make a liberal investment, 

 being led to anticipate most flattering results, but who is too often 

 doomed to bitter disappointment. His trees and shrubs are de- 

 livered half dried up ; some scarcely live, more die altogether. 

 Although disappointed it may be that he tries again, but, succeed- 

 ing no better, gives it up, and future years find these small places 

 overgrown with weeds, and utterly neglected. 



This is not an imaginary idea expressed for the sake of making 

 a report to you ; it is unfortunately true, and we deem it a subject 

 worthy of our best thought, and we ask if we have not some work 

 to do to produce a change for the better in this direction. Surely 

 the voice of the Society should be made louder and be heard 

 farther than it is on this and many other kindred subjects. 

 Unless we are aroused from the too evident conservatism which 

 seems to be fast taking possession of us in the work of the 

 Society, instead of a State Society we shall soon be merely a city 

 and suburban society — and the suburb a small one at that. 



Progress has been made in some directions during the past year, 

 wliich is very gratifying indeed ; but when we consider that out of a 

 total appropriation of $6,000, the Garden Committee was allotted 

 for Flower Gardens, Greenhouses, Strawberry Gardens, and 

 Vineyards, the sum of $300 only — and part of that from the John 

 A. Lowell Fund, which the Society is bound to off"er — is it to be 

 wondered at that there is no more competition for the meagre 

 prizes we are enabled to offer? A well-kept Flower Garden, a 

 house of Orchids, a Market or Amateur Strawberr3' Garden, or a 

 Vineyard of one acre, requires time and money to establish and 

 maintain. Let us look at some of the prizes offered, in com- 

 parison with those in other departments. These are for 1891 : 

 For the best arranged and best kept Flower Garden, — hardy 

 perennial and biennial plants admissible, — $50; best Six Green- 

 house and Stove plants, S30. For the liest ari-anged and best 

 kept Stove or Greenhouse, during the month of March or April, 



