622 FIRST 



dens), burning-bush, several hollies, mistletoe and Jeru- 

 salem cherry (So/a>i!im psi'udo-Capsiciim). 



Professor Maynard detailed the results of experiments 

 with fertilizers under glass. He recommends for special 

 fertilizers in the house sulphate of ammonia, sulphate 

 of potash, ground bone or bone meal, and dissolved 

 bone black. A spirited discussion occurred upon the 

 paper presented last year at the Buffalo meeting by Wm. 

 McMillan, which severely criticised the absorbing passion 

 for carpet bedding. This paper is working out a great 

 good, as is proved by the fact that its memory is still 

 green, a twelve-month after it was written. Most of the 

 discussion opposed the essay and upheld carpet bedding 

 and massing. The unusually fine carpet bedding in the 

 Boston Public Gardens furnished justification for this 

 view of the matter. A. Gilchrist, Ontario, mentioned 

 the following as among the best native plants for florists' 

 use : Aqtiilegia Caiiadensis, Asclepias incarnata and tuhe- 

 rosa, Coi-eopsis lanceolata, Euphorbia coroUata, Eupatoritim 

 ageratoides, Cypripediitm pat vijlorum, C. pubescetis, and 

 C. speciabile, Helianthus styitmosus , Spinca lobata, Nyni- 

 pha'a loba/a, Riidbeckia hirta and A', laciniata, Monarda 

 didyijia. Lobelia i:ardi>!a/is, Soiidago odora, thalictrums, 

 and the trilliums. Jackson Dawson named the follow- 

 ing as the twelve best hardy shrubs for florists' use : 

 Andromeda speeiosa, Cytisiis scoparius, Viburnum plicattim , 

 Staphylea Colclnca, Deiitzia Sieboldii, Exochorda grandi- 

 flora. Pyrus baccata, var. Jloribunda, double Ridms rosi- 

 florus, Diervilla (or Weigela') candidissima , Philadelphus 

 latifoliiis, double Spir,ra Cantoniensis, Kalinia latifolia. 

 Wm. Falconer advised the culture of the Christmas and 

 Lenten roses. The Christmas rose is Plelleboriis niger, 

 and the Lenten roses //. CohJiicus, II. Olympiitis and 

 H. orienlalis. They can be used either for cutting or as 

 pot plants. For cutting, //. niger, var. inaximtis is best. 

 The hellebores can not be profitably managed as out- 

 door perennials ij: the north. 



E. S. Carman, of The Rural Neui- Yorker, gave a unique 

 and invaluable paper on experiences in crossing plants. 

 Mr. Carman is one of the oldest and best hybridizers in 

 the country, and his paper commanded great attention ; 

 at its conclusion the society, through John Thorpe, voted 

 thanks, enthusiastically, to the essayist. It was un- 

 doubtedly the best paper presented. The simplicity and 

 ease with which hybridizing could be affected was very 

 clearly set forth, and ridicule was put upon the pedantic 

 use of botanical terms where they would only mystify 

 and confuse. He detailed many of his failures, and then 

 spoke of his many successes, particularly with Rosa ru- 



UITS. 



gosa, corn, rye and wheat, blackberries and raspberries. 

 He also alluded pointedly to the recent Rubiis phanico- 

 lasiiis . The effect of the paper will undoubtedly be to 

 stimulate intelligent effort upon the part of the active 

 florists to hybridize and improve plants coming into 

 their hands. Valuable papers were read by E. S. Miller 

 and J. W. Manning, upon succulents and hardy herba- 

 ceous plants respectively. 



Many short essays, prepared mostly in answer to ques- 

 tions, were read ; but there was not as much live dis- 

 cussion upon points of vital interest as was expected. 



Memorials of the members of the Society deceased 

 during the year were read, and eloquent tributes to 

 Peter Henderson and John Henderson commanded es- 

 pecial attention. 



The social features of the convention comprised a 

 visit to the estate of Mrs. Francis B. Hayes at Lexing- 

 ton, to the famous grounds of H. H. Hunnewell at 

 Wellesley, and a trip down the harbor with a banquet 

 at Nantasket Beach. All of these were very largely 

 attended — much better than the business sessions of the 

 society. 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society held its fall 

 exhibit of plants and flowers at Music Hall, and all 

 members of the society were admitted free. The exhi- 

 bition was a remarkable one, perhaps the best ever made 

 in this country. Some of its special features, as the 

 mantel and table decorations, the aquatics, fine crotons, 

 and massings of foliage were magnificent. The very best 

 specimens in the superb private collections of the many 

 horticultural enthusiasts near Boston were here dis- 

 played. There was also a most instructive showing of 

 wild flowers and hardy plants, correctly labeled, and the 

 cut gladioli were notably fine. The arrangement ex- 

 hibited unusual care, although the great hall was scarce- 

 ly ample for the best display of such a collection. The 

 exhibition alone was well worth a visit across the conti- 

 nent to see ; and it is worthy of remark that the local 

 attendance was very large, in contrast to that bestowed 

 upon similar exhibitions in some other large cities 



The usual trade exhibit was held in connection with 

 the Society's meeting, and a variety of articles and stock 

 for florists displayed, in which considerable interest was 

 manifested by the members. 



The Society will meet in Toronto in 1891. The new 

 officers are : M. H. Norton, Boston, President ; John 

 Chambers, Toronto, Vice President ; Wm. J. Stewart, 

 Boston, Secretary ; M. A. Hunt, Terre Haute, Treas- 

 urer. 



