22 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1848. 



as the hopes of youth. There were Dahlias rearing their stately heads as if in 

 conscious superiority ; and Verbenas of every shade, from the delicate rose tint 

 of a maiden's blush to the gorgeous purple of royalty. The Aster family was 

 not extensively represented, but there were some very good specimens of these 

 and other annuals. But where were the Roses? Why were they "left to 

 blush unseen"? Not a single bud was there. Surely our ladies have not 

 ceased to cultivate the pride of Flora's realm ; yet, not a solitary Julia did we 

 see, and the fair Queen of Bourbons withheld her smile on this occasion. 

 Where was the ever youthful Ninon de I'Enclos, and her sweet sister, Sanguinea, 

 that they came not to grace this flowery fete ? We could not but regret the 

 absence of our favorite flower, even where so many others gladdened our sight. 

 The Rose is of easy culture, and well repays the trouble of raising it ; and 

 there are so many varieties now known that it seems strange not to meet with 

 them upon an occasion like this. However, it is more "pleasing to admire" 

 the objects presented to us than to regret the absence of others, and we turn 

 again to the exhibition as it was. 



There were several very beautiful Pot Plants, among which the large Fuschia, 

 presented by Mrs. J. Gray, was very conspicuous. The thrifty appearance of 

 the plant, as well as the grace of the blossoms, entitling it to admiration. We 

 also observed a very fine Oleander, the property of Mrs. Patch, to whom the 

 Committee on Premiums recommend a gratuity of $1.00. 



The Cut Flowers presented by Mrs. G. W. Richardson were not only beau- 

 tiful in themselves, but arranged with such skill and taste as to enhance their 

 native loveliness. We had no idea until now of the art of placing flowers in 

 such a manner as to display them to their best advantage ; the mingling and 

 contrasting of colors, the proper distribution of foliage to relieve the effect of 

 too much brilliancy in some cases, and brighten it in others, requires the 

 correct eye of a painter with the delicate perception of woman. We are happy 

 to learn that the first premium for Cut Flowers was awarded to Mrs. R. The 

 second premium for Cut Flowers was awarded to Thomas McComack, gardener 

 to Wm. T. Merrifield. 



The best collection of Dahlias was presented by Mr. Leonard Cheney, of 

 Southbridge, who received a premium of $2.00. The Society were also in- 

 debted to Mr. Cheney for a stand of flowers in a pyramidal form, some of the 

 specimens of which were of exquisite beauty. The second premium on Dahlias 

 was awarded to the "College of the Holy Cross." We pretend not to the 

 knowledge that decides upon the merit of a flower from the particular curl of a 

 petal, or the shadow of a tint, but to our uninitiated eye there were some very 

 fine specimens in this collection. Beautiful collections of Dahlias were also 

 presented by Wm. C. Capron, Dr. Workman and others. The Bouquet presented 

 by James McGarrish, gardener to Charles Thurber, Esq., was a specimen of 

 patience and considerable ingenuity. It was composed principally of Dahlias, 

 with some small, delicate blossoms to fill up the interstices, and the graceful 



