REPORT 



TO THE 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 



FOB THE YEAR 1897. 



By GEORGE CRUICKSHANKS, of Fitchburg. 



In 1829 the Massachusetts Horticultural Societ}^ was organized 

 to encourage the science and art of horticulture. How well it has 

 fulfilled its mission may be seen at the exhibitions that are held 

 at its beautiful hall on Tremont Street almost every Saturday 

 during the year. Besides the Annual Spring, Rhododendron, 

 Rose and Strawberry, Plant and Flower, Fruit and Vegetable, 

 and Chrysanthemum Shows, prizes are offered every week during 

 the summer and autumn months for the choicest products of the 

 gardener's skill. The amount appropriated this year for premiums 

 and gratuities was $8,100. 



The 3"ear began with a course of Lectures and Discussions on 

 the following subjects : 



January 9. Tropical Horticulture, with Illustrations of the 

 Principal Economic Plants of Hot Climates, b}^ Professor George 

 L. Goodale, Cambridge. 



January 16. The Structure and Classification of Mushrooms, 

 by HoUis Webster, Cambridge. 



January 23. The Chrysanthemum ; its Past, Present, and 

 Future, by Edmund M. Wood, Wellesley. 



January 30. Plant Beauty, by Henry T. Bailey, North Scituate. 



F'ebruary 13. Sweet Peas, by Rev. W. T. Hutchins, Indian 

 Orchard. 



February 20. Market Gardening, by T. Greiner, La Salle, 

 N.Y. 



