0» THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE, 



Mr. Breck, "for more than twenty years, in raising seedlings, and from 

 many thousand seedlings have saved, perhaps, fifty varieties as improve- 

 ments, — altogether I have named and numbered over one hundred varieties. 

 It will be my study, another year, to reduce the number one half." 



It would be impossible for us to enumerate all the varieties of Clematis, 

 Pseonies, Spiraeas, Delphiniums, Aconite, Iris, Campanula, and other hardy 

 herbaceous plants in this garden. 



Among the herbaceous plants there is none that is more attractive than 

 the seedling Delphinium Breckii, or No. 1. " It is a plant in bloom through 

 the season, flowers semi-double, and of the most brilliant ultra marine blue ; 

 a very hardy plant and most desirable to plant in masses. It does not grow 

 over two feet high. I raised this from seed twelve or fifteen years ago." 



Of specimen shrubs and trees, there was a large number, including most 

 of those generally known and many rare sorts. 



Mr. Breck planted out over one hundred evergreens, of various sorts, last 

 autumn, late in the season ; of which he lost only five per cent. 



The grounds, greenhouses, &c., were in good order and condition, and 

 all about the premises bore testimony to the intelligent and active super- 

 vision of the proprietor ; and the Committee award to Mr. Joseph Breck the 

 Society's premium of twenty-five dollars, for the most economically man- 

 aged, best cultivated, and most neatly kept garden or grounds through the 

 season. 



The Committee also visited the estate of Dr. Durfee, at Fall River. 

 This fine property contains four acres of land, and has been in the posses- 

 sion of the present proprietor about twelve years. 



Mr. Durfee has erected on the premises an elegant mansion, wherein he 

 resides, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences desirable, and 

 dispenses a becoming hospitality. 



The growth of the trees and shrubs, on this estate, is remarkably good, 

 and what was twelve years ago a clear, open field, is now a thickly wooded 

 lawn. The evergreens, especially, were very luxuriant. 



The walks and borders on the grounds were in unexceptionable condition ; 

 and neatness and thriftiness are prevailing characteristics. 



The Peach house, which the Doctor has within a few years erected, re- 

 flects upon him and his gardener great credit. It excels any other of the 

 kind that we have seen in the State. The building is fifty feet long, and 

 contains ten trees trained upon the walls and roof, and as well, upon an 

 inclined trellis. The trees were vigorous, the foliage was profuse and of 

 fine color. Many of the leaves measured ten inches in length. The fruit 

 was abundant, of large size and superior flavor. 



The collections of pears and other fruits was select ; and the entire gar- 

 den in commendable conditiou. 



The Committee award Dr. Durfee the Society's premium of twenty-five 

 dollars for the most economically managed, best cultivated, and most neatly 

 kept Fruit garden through the season. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, for the Committee, by 



Samuel Walker, Chairman. 



