21 



autumn the asters, golden rods, gentians and many others that 

 clothe the earth in a glorious splendor, precursor of winter's 

 gloom. Some of the earliest are the May flowers, — anemone, 

 blood-root, columbine, spring-beauty, which, were they not common, 

 would be equally sought and cultivated in gardens. The journals 

 devoted to horticulture tell us of the success which has followed 

 such cultivation in particular instances. The popular ignorance 

 in respect to this branch of natural history might be illustrated by 

 many remarkable examples. 



The brief life of flowers affects us with a feeling of sadness, yet 

 mingled with a satisfaction akin to that which we derive from, or 

 hold upon, those friends who have died in the bloom of youth or 

 early manhood. 



" Though thou fade, 

 From thy dead leaves let fragrance rise. 



And teach the maid, 

 That goodness time's rude hand defies; 

 That virtue lives when beauty dies." 



Your Committee award the premiums as follows : — 



Best collection of cut Flowers — Mr. G. Craft, Brookllne, 1st 

 premium, $4 ; Mrs. G. W. C. Washburn, Needham, 3d pre- 

 mium, $2. 



Bouquets — Mrs. H. P. Mackintosh, East Needham, 3d pre- 

 mium, $2. 



Gladiolas — For the best collection of named gladiolas, in spikes, 

 G. Craft, Brookline, 1st premium, $4. 



For the best collection of New Seedlings, in spikes, G. Craft, 

 Brookline, 1st premium, ^3. 



For the best New SeedHng, G. Craft, Brookline, $1. 



Double Zinnias — George Craft, Brookline, 2d premium, §1. 



Gratuities — William Dunbar, Canton, for funeral wreath and 

 two bouquets of wild flowers, " American Agriculturist" for one 

 year. Mrs. Wm. Lyon, Needham, for two bouquets and one dish 

 of flowers, " Breck's Book of Flowers." 



Diplomas — To Miss Lizzie J. Watt, West Roxbury, for cut 

 flowers ; Mr. G. W. Palmer, Milton, for cut flowers ; Mrs. H. W. 

 Hewins, Dedham, two baskets flowers ; Mrs. G. W. C. Wash- 

 burn, for four bouquets ; Miss Mary Emerson, West Dedham, 

 wreath of dried flowers ; A. K. Teele, Milton, for dahlias ; C. J. 

 Power, South Framingham, for dahlias ; Miss Mary Sewall, Mcd- 

 field, for four baskets flowers ; Miss Anna F. Haynes, Dorches- 

 ter, for basket of cut flowers. 



