38 Domestic Notices. 



of Horticulture, is in the increase of Horticultural Societies, which are 

 springing up in all parts of the country. We have how before us the doings 

 of the Southern Iowa Horticultural Society, which the Secretary informs us 

 " sprung up as by magic, early in the past summer, and under the most fa- 

 vorable auspices." The first annual exhibition was held on the 4th of Octo- 

 ber last, and was highly creditable for that new country. The show of ap- 

 ples Avas very fine, no less than thirty-three varieties of apples, — six of pears, 

 — and three of peaches, were exhibited by one member, and tliirty-two va- 

 rieties by the President. The Executive Committee justly remark, that 

 " the exhibition of fruits far exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine 

 member, both as relates to quantity and quality. We hazard nothing in 

 saying, that a finer exhibition of apples has never been made west of the 

 Alleghany mountains, and this too, by a society newly organized, and in a 

 region of country, that goes back only fourteen years to its first settlement. 

 The number of each variety was large, and the tables groaned under their 

 burtliens. The specimens were uncommonly large, fair, and well grown. 

 A large number of seedlings were exhibited, none of which were deemed 

 equal, or superior to other varieties of the same season, save one. That one 

 has been fruited the past two or three year^, and was deemed by the Com- 

 mittee worthy of especial notice and commendation. It was christened tlie 

 Comstock. It is certainly a very superior apple. 



" There were but few varieties of pears upon the tables. This excellent 

 fi-uit is being extensively cultivated in the neighborhood, and many more va- 

 rieties will be in bearing anotlier season. Enough is known, to assure us 

 that it will succeed admirably in this region." The meeting was too late for 

 flowers, except tlie Dahlia, of which there was a fair display. 



We congratulate tlie members on their fine exhibition, and are ready to 

 admit, that even the oldest of our Eastern societies could not make a richer 

 display of apples than that of the Iowa. 



Accompanying the Constitution, &c., are the names of the ofiicers of the 

 Society, namely, Mr. Robert Avery, President ; Dr. John F. Henry, Vice 

 President ; Mr. William F. Coolbaugh, Treasurer ; Rev. A. Leonard, Cor- 

 responding Secretary ; L. D. Stockton, Esq., Recording Secretarij. 



The list of Premiums for 1850 is appended to the Report, and we are 

 glad to find so high an appreciation of our Magazine, that it is offered for 

 the best display of apples next autumn. 



The Society having elected us an honorary member, we have directed our 

 Magazine to be forwarded to their address for the year, and hope we may 

 be able to aid them in the good work, in other ways. — Ed. 



Munificent Bequest for Rural Improvement. — Mr. Bromfield of Boston, re- 

 cently deceased, made the following munificent bequest in his will, to tlie 

 town of Newburyport, his native place, for improving and ornamenting the 

 public streets: — 



" I order the sum of ten thousand dollars to be invested at interest in the 

 Hospital Life Insurance Company, in this city of Boston, so and in such 

 manner as that tlie Selectmen, or other duly authorized agents of the town 

 of Newburyport, for the time being, may annually receive the interest which 



