10 



Mr. Murray, on our reaching his place, led us through a perfect labyrinth 

 of greenhouses, pointing out many choice and useful plants. A large bed 

 of tuberoses, just shooting into bud, was a conspicuous feature. The 

 trees and plants were in good order, though the crop of cherries had been 

 totally destroyed by that pest of horticulturists, the robin, and, hopeless 

 of faring better in the future, the trees were destined to be cut down, as no 

 fruit could be obtained. And here it seems not out of place to ask why 

 such a bird should be protected by law ; a bird which annually inflicts 

 damage to an immense amount upon the fruit-growing interests, and is of 

 no value whatever in destroying worms, grubs, or insects ; and the Com- 

 mittee would recommend that the Society as a Society petition the Legisla- 

 ture, at its next session, for the repeal of the law which protects this bird, 

 whose destruction would be of immense benefit to every farmer or horticul- 

 turist. 



In concluding the report upon these gardens, the Committee feel bound 

 to state that much allowance must be made for any unfavorable appearance 

 they may have presented ; the season has been most unpropitious for both 

 fruit and flowers, and the time of the Committee's visit was not calculated 

 to show either greenhouses or flower gardens in their most attractive guise. 



The Committee also visited the gardens of Parker Barnes, near Harrison 

 Square, in Dorchester, embracing about two acres, under high cultivation. 

 Mr. Barnes has devoted his attention more to hardy herbaceous plants and 

 annuals than to the more tender productions of the greenhouse : and of these 

 his collection is so varied and extensive that his gardens present an attract- 

 ive appearance from the earliest spring until late in the autumn. 



A small but tasteful greenhouse is at hand suitable for the production of 

 all the varieties of bedding-out plants and the growth of a few choice exot- 

 ics ; several fine specimens of the Chromatella rose produce a profusion of 

 bloom during the winter months ; connected with the greenhouse are spa- 

 cious potting, packing, and seed rooms, affording every facility for Mr. 

 Barnes' extensive business. But it is in the cultivation of the dahlia that 

 Mr. Barnes particularly excels ; it is his pet plant, and his care and attention 

 have been well repaid by the beauty of the collection which every September 

 enables him to present. Some of his own seedlings compare not unfavora- 

 bly with imported varieties ; and from his well known perseverance we are 

 led to expect still further improvements. 



The grounds of Evers & Co., in Brighton, comprise about three acres 

 under high cultivation. The greenhouses are four in number, and remark- 

 able for their neat and orderly appearance ; in one we noticed fine speci- 

 mens of acacias, already large trees ; the exhibition of fuchsias was good, 

 the plants displaying a profusion of bloom and vigorous growth. The 

 flower garden was in fine order and laid out in accordance with good taste, 

 and the Committee took leave, well pleased with their visit. 



On Thursday, September 10th, a Sub-Committee visited the fruit and 

 vegetable garden of John Gordon, in Brighton, comprising about three acres, 

 the whole of which is devoted to the cultivation of pears, in which branch 

 of horticulture he has been most successful. At the time of our visit the 



