No. 149.] 105 



The Flowers next demand attention. The display of these 

 lovely objects was very large and truly magnificent. We have 

 never before had so many large exhibiters of flowers ; as evi- 

 dence of which I will mention that some three or four had on 

 exhibition during the whole four weeks of the Fair, OYeiJive hun- 

 dred Dalilia blooms, all of wliich were renewed at least three times 

 a week. The competition in Dahlias at our special exhibition 

 was very spirited, and, owing to the large number of competitors, 

 and the nearly equal merits of several of the stands, the judges 

 were sorely puzzled in rendering a decision. Improvements are 

 yearly being made in this elegant flower, and at every succeeding 

 exhibition new names and more beautiful forms greet the eye ; 

 and among these, on the present occasion, were several superb 

 American seedlings. 



The show of Roses was exceedingly large and splendid. Of 

 this loveliest of flowers, there were several American seedlings 

 of great beauty, as respects both color and form. The special 

 exhibition brought out a large number of charming specimens, 

 which attracted a great deal of attention, particularly from the 

 ladies, among whom the rose is a special favorite ; and who loves 

 it not 1 I must next call attention to a very large and splendid 

 display of Bouquets, much the largest and finest that I have yet 

 seen. It is worthy of mention that several ladies were competi- 

 tors here, and they entered the field of competition with a spirit 

 that did them infinite credit. Some of them exhibited nearly 

 thirhj bouquets each ! I could have wished that all the ladies 

 had come off first best ; but, owing to a want of gallantry or 

 something else on the part of the judges, only one of them at- 

 tained this enviable distinction. The display of Ornamental Designs 

 was not equal to that of last year, though tliere were some of con- 

 siderable beauty. Some seem to think that a design is beautiful 

 in proportion to the number of flowers crowded upon it ; but it 

 seems to me that, even with fewer flowers, its beauty is greatly 

 enhanced when some idea is shadowed forth in its form and con- 

 ception. These things involve much labor and expense, and 

 few are willing to incur either for the small premium that we 

 feel able to give. Some, however, seem commendably ready to 

 constitute themselves judges of their own articles, particularly la 



