REPORTS OK COMMrnF.F.S. 1 3 



The first Rose and Strawberry Show of the Society exceeded 

 the expectations of the committee. The exhibits in the various 

 departments, though not in all cases very large, were uniformly of 

 a high order of excellence. 



The most attractive exhibit was undoubtedly the floral decora- 

 tions, which far surpassed anything of the kind ever seen in this 

 city, and which reflects the very highest credit to all the parties 

 concerned. The only exhibit of "cut flower design" work by a 

 professional florist was entered by F. O. Williard, of L. Downe's 

 "Cedar Hedge Farm," and consisted of an easel, measuring four 

 and a half by two and a half feet, worked with roses, carnations, 

 stocks and other choice flowers, and possessed real artistic merit 

 in a high degree, and consumed in its construction a great deal of 

 valuable time and flowers. The award for this piece was necessa- 

 rily small compared with the expense of the piece, such an ex- 

 pensive piece not having been expected. 



Amateurs in this line were well represented, and comprised 

 most of the teachers and pupils of the public schools of the city, 

 who manifested an energy and enthusiasm in their work which was 

 particularly pleasing to witness and which resulted in a display 

 which, it is fair to assume, has never been excelled in this Com- 

 monwealth, and this Society feels itself under great obligations to 

 each and every individual teacher and pupil concerned in the 

 decorations, and desires to tender its thanks to the same, and 

 deeply regrets that anything occurred to mar the happiness of the 

 occasion, viz., in awarding the premiums ; and it is only fair, in 

 this connection, to the committee on awards to state that they 

 acted in strict accordance with the rules governing the same, and 

 that the mistake occurred in framing the rule. This being the 

 first show of the kind given by the Society, some mistakes of the- 

 kind are more or less to be expected. We are very sorry that it 

 had such bad results, and beg leave to say that no effort will l)e 

 spared to prevent a recurrence of the same. 



The display of potted plants comprised a very fine collection of 

 palms, tree-ferns, yuccas, etc., from the hot-houses of Hon. 

 Rodney Wallace and Mrs. Walter Heywood, which were sent at 



