REPORT OF THE CO^OIITTEE ON GARDENS. 297 



distance from the large cities. Not one of the members from 

 other States had ever witnessed such an exhibition as that at 

 Music Ilall, and many of them were so delighted that they said 

 that alone paid them for coming to Boston, while the visits to 

 Mount Auburn, Newton, and Forest Hills cemeteries, as well as 

 to tiie Arnold Arboretum and Franklin Park, were not only in- 

 teresting but very profitable, especially that to the Arboretum ; 

 and as the Horticultural Society is the originator of the Suburban 

 Cemeter3', you will doubtless be gratified to learn the progress of 

 this youthful organization. Its first meeting was held at Cincin- 

 nati ; the second at Brooklyn ; the third at Detroit ; the fourth at 

 Boston ; and the fifth will be at Chicago. Thus yoi> see the places 

 of meeting have been in cities where we could not only meet and 

 listen to a superintendent of large experience, but could see his 

 work, and that is what determines his rank in the profession. As 

 the plans of the Society for the future are developed and extended, 

 it is the hope and expectation of its members that this organiza- 

 tion will have a standing equal in public estimation with that of 

 Horticultural and other Societies, for usefulness and intelligence 

 of its membership in their calling, which they believe is second in 

 importance to none. 



For the premiums offered for the best kept Flower Garden, we 

 had no application. 



Orchid House of E. W. Gilmore. 



For the liest House of Orchids in bloom in the month of March, 

 Thomas Greaves, gardener to E. "W. Gilmore, North Easton, 

 entered the house under his care. The visit was made March 22. 

 The cool-house orchids, which were the special feature, were in 

 admirable condition. The house is a small lean-to, and modest 

 in every way. The following varieties were in bloom at the time 

 of our visit. 



Angrcecum sesquipedale. An extraordinarj- plant, and one of the 

 orchids in which Charles Darwin was especially interested, on 

 account of the exceptional length of the spur. The flowers are 

 ver}' fragrant, and will last nearly a month. 



Cattleya citrina. A fragrant and beautiful orchid, having the 

 curious habit of growing its head downwards. The flowers are of 

 a soft lemon 3'ellow, the margin of the lip wavy and white. They 

 are delightfully fragrant, and hist a long time. 



