472 ExJdbitions of Horticultural Societies. 



several handsome vases of flowers, and a sreat number of smaller 

 bouquets. Bv Mrs. Gen. Patterson, three glass and porcelain vases 

 of choice flowers, arranged with much taste. By Miss Percival, two 

 exceedingly chaste basket bouquets. By Robert Kilvington, three 

 basket bouquets of select flowers, and one of indigenous flowers. 



Fruits. — The choice fruits were most temptingly displayed on a 

 table of three elevations, extending through the centre of the ban- 

 queting room. Notwithstanding the anticipations of a scarcity in this 

 department, there appeared but little wanting to make up the usual 

 attraction, either in variety, quality, or amount. Of grapes, there 

 were numerous varieties, some of which, for size of l)erry and weight 

 of bunches, equalled any shown at previous exhibitions. Of peaches, 

 some of the dishes contained choice specimens, one dish particularly 

 fine, from a tree in this citj' 25 years old. Some of the delicious 

 Bartlett pears from Boston, were seen among the varieties. Of ap- 

 ples, there were fine specimens. Several dishes of the luscious gold- 

 en-drop plum. And a great display of excellent quinces. Also 

 dishes containing large lemons, pomegranates, papaws and cranber- 

 ries. [The number of the contributors was numerous, amounting to 

 upwards of sixty contributors, but no one exhibitor displayed above 

 ten or twelve varieties.] 



Vegetables. — In the apartment parallel to the one in which the 

 fruit was shosvn on the west, were exhibited on tables around the 

 room and upon one of larger size, also of three elevations, in the 

 centre, the culinary vegetal)les and field products, in great profusion, 

 and in some instances of immense proportions. 



In this department of horticulture, where the products are more 

 susceptible of immediate improvement, under the hand of art, than 

 those of the orchard, a great advance in culture was manifest over 

 previous exhibitions; the obvious results of the efforts of our Society. 

 Amonjr the most prominent objects of this portion of the spectacle 

 were the Valparaiso squashes, weighing 100 ])ounds and upwards; 

 egg j)lants, a dozen of which weighed 106 pounds, one of them 10 

 pounds; mammoth cabbage and Victoria rhubarb; white carrots and 

 sweet potatoes, remarkable for size; also some large sjiecimens of 

 water melons and turnips, possessing good properties. And, among 

 the objects of interest, were a couple of specimens of a hybrid be- 

 tween the South Sea squash and calabash, partaking of the nature of 

 both parents; a contribution of 29 ears of corn, the product of five 

 grains; a small ear of a new variety, and a new kind of potatoes, 

 called "French potatoes," of five weeks' growth, said to be excellent 

 for table use. 



On a contribution of sugar beets averaging about 8 pounds in 

 weight, from New Jersey, was stated a fact worthy of particular re- 

 mark from its importance in rural economy, viz: that they were 

 grown from seed planted on the 19th of June, in the soil from which 

 a matured crop of peas had been gathered. An unusual number of 

 vegetables were exhibited. 



The Committee conclude their report in the following words: — 



The onward march of horticulture in this community was strik- 

 ingly manifest at the present exhibition; the great improvement in all 

 the "departments of that science was evinced in the increased variety 



