26 



results of his observations on this plant in a beautifttl folio volume, 

 finely illustrated by W. Sharpe, from specimens grown at Salem. 



In 1843, Mr. Allen commenced the erection of his graperies on 

 Dean street, which soon were greatly extended, so as to embrace sev- 

 eral hundred feet of glass, and in which were grown about three 

 hundred varieties of grapes, including several valuable seedlings; 

 also peaches, cherries, and other fruits. 



Charles Hoffman, William F. Gardner, William Dean, Richard West, 

 Richard S. Rogers, William D. Pickman, and others, erected houses 

 for the cultivation of flowers or the grape. 



The Natural History Society, soon after its organization in De- 

 cember, 1833, opened its rooms for exhibitions of fruits and flowers. 

 The first was held at the rooms on Essex street opposite Central 

 street, on Friday, July 11, 1834, and was very creditable to our florists, 

 many beautiful and some rare plants and flowers having been shown. 

 The contributors were Stephen Driver, Jr., J. S. Cabot, Charles Law- 

 rence, John M. Ives, Thomas Spencer, Mrs. G. S. Johonnot, the Misses 

 Ashton and John Bertram. These exhibitions were continued on every 

 Friday during the season, and among the contributors, besides those 

 previously mentioned, were the names of Francis Putnam, George D: 

 Phippeu, Benjamin Creamer. W. F. Gardner, John C. Lee, N. Silsbee, 

 Jr., B. H. Ives, E. H. Derby, Mrs. J. D. Treadwell, Robert Manning, 

 William Dean, W. P. Richardson, and others. The success attending 

 these flrst efforts, induced a continuance the following and successive 

 seasons, with greater or less frequency, as circumstances would per- 

 mit, until that of 1866, when from unavoidable reasons they were 

 omitted, and since that time none have been held. May they be re- 

 sumed the coming season with increased interest, and the horticultu- 

 ral department again take its former high position among the doings 

 of the Institute. 



In every exhibition special attention had been directed to have 

 properly arranged a collection of the native plants of the county, 

 then in flower, particularly those that are rare and curious, and are 

 only found in the most ^accessible localities, thus affording all an 

 opportunity to observe iliat portion of our flora not usually noticed 

 in the ordinary walks. 



The exhibitions, humble and unpretending in their origin, gradually 

 increased in interest and attracted much attention, and undoubtedly 

 have been the means of developing a more general and extensive 

 taste for horticultural pursuits in this community. At the earlier ex- 

 hibitions the contributions were small, afterwards gradually became 

 more extensive, and at the one in September, 1850, one hundred and 

 ninety-one individuals contributed two thousand dishes or baskets of 

 fruit, consisting of six hundred and sixty-nine varieties. 



