14 REPORTS OK COMMITTEES. 



much risk, but which is only characteristic of the generosity of the 

 owners in times past. 



The display of house plants, such as geraniums, ivys, callas, etc., 

 etc., was mostly confined to two exhibitors, Joseph Jackson and 

 F. O. Williard, and contained a large collection of choice varieties, 

 but fine specimen plants were quite scarce, owing to the growers 

 not having had time to grow and train them. 



The exhibition of gloxinias by E. M. Dickinson was quite fine, 

 both as regards choice varieties and well grown plants. The dis- 

 play of roses was made mostly by Messrs. Cruickshanks and 

 Andrews, and contained a splendid collection of the newest varie- 

 ties of "Hybrid Perpetuals," the individual specimens of which 

 were simply magnificent. We were very sorry to notice the almost 

 entire absence of Tea roses, knowing the excellent facilities for 

 making such an exhibit that exists in and about Fitchburg. 



In this connection we desire to say that it would be very gratify- 

 ing to see more interest taken in this show by the florists in this 

 vicinity, and the Society will do ail it can to promote the same, 

 and as this is a flower show, flowers from any source will be very 

 acceptable. 



The display of native ferns, litchens and mosses by George B, 

 Andrews was enough to surprise the "oldest inhabitant," as to the 

 capacity of his native hills and dales to supply such magnificent 

 specimens in almost endless variety (many of which occupy very 

 prominent positions in European collections of note) in procuring 

 which entailed a great amount of hard work, but it is safe to say 

 that the labor was considered of very minor importance to the in- 

 defatigable collector. 



The entries in the Strawberry show were very few, as compared 

 with the number of growers in this section surprisingly so, and we 

 would be very much pleased to see a collection or even a single 

 plate of fruit from any party that grows them, at our show next 

 June. One doesn't need a very large "patch" to make a good 

 exhibit, as is instanced in the case of Mr. Hawkins and his mag- 

 nificent plate of "Sharpless" raised on a little plot about eight feet 

 square, in his dooryard on Highland avenue. Though the entries 

 were few, those exhibited were very fine, more particularly may be 



