108 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Mr. Breck, Chairman of the Flower Committee, made a report : 



At a meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, on Saturday, 

 Feb. 14th, 184b, a vote was passed, directing the Committee on Flowers 

 to take special notice of the fine seedling camellias, exhibited at that time by 

 Marshall P. Wilder, President of the Society. 



Agreeably to this vote, the Flower Committee submit the following 

 report : — 



The number of seedling camellias exhibited was five. Two of them 

 were of surpassing beauty and perfection. As the Committee have had 

 the pleasure of often examining the extensive collection of the President, 

 as well as those of other gentlemen in the vicinity, embracing the most 

 perfect varieties known among amateurs, they feel themselves sufficiently ac- 

 quainted with this beautiful class of flowers, to judge the comparative merits 

 of the seedlings under consideration, and they have no hesitation in pro- 

 nouncing them as varieties of the very first order, and such as will be diffi- 

 cult to surpass in this or any other country. The production of two such 

 remarkable varieties, by one person, we believe unprecedented, and will re- 

 flect much honor upon our President abroad, as well as upon the Society of 

 which he is the head. 



We, therefore, recommend that a Gratuity be awarded to the President, 

 for these two superb American Camellias, and that it consist of a Piece of 

 Plate of the value of Fifty Dollar s,2inA of such form and design as he may 

 elect. Jos. Breck, Chairman. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE SEEDLINGS. 



No. 1. CameHia. japdnica \3ir. Wilderi. 



Leaves one and a half inches broad, and three long, oval, accuminate, 

 slightly dentated, a very dark green, with prominent midrib ; petioles short ; 

 a shrub of free, upright, but rather slender growth ; buds quite round, with 

 pale green scales ; flower medium size, three and a half to four inches in di- 

 ameter. Color delicate clear rose ; petals 75 to 80 in number, imbricated, 

 of the most perfect rose leaf shape, and arranged with most exquisite reg- 

 ularity, from the circumference to the centre ; corolla very round, persistent, 

 free in its inflorescence, every flower expanding perfectly, retaining its 

 beauty for a long time. 



The superiority of this variety, when compared with those established 

 favorites, the old double White, Lady Hume, imbricata, and others, is its 

 beautiful round petal, with scarcely a serrature or indentation on the edge. 

 Raised from the seed of the single red camellia, fertilized by Camell/a ja- 

 ponica var. punctata. The mother plant and all the stock, with the excep- 

 tion of a single graft, having been destroyed by fire, in the year 1841. 



No. 2. Camilhd. japonica var. Mrs. Abby Wilder. 



The name was given by the Committee, in honor of the lady of the Pres- 

 ident. This variety is a very beautiful one — a vigorous shrub of upright 

 growth and strong branches ; foliage large and handsome ; leaves four 

 inches long by two and a half broad, roundish oval a little reflexed ; coarsely 

 dentated, accuminate, with pale prominent midrib and nerves ; yellowish 

 green, resembling in color those of Camelh'fl jap6nica Lady Hume ; bud 



