AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
37 
ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE NEW-YORK 
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
This exhibition was held at Niblo’s Rooms, 
Broadway, on the 20th, 21st, and 22d of this 
month, and was a successful one as far as pro¬ 
gress in cultivation is concerned: whether it was 
equally so in promoting the more material in¬ 
terests of the Society we cannot at present say. 
Those at all conversant with the past efforts and 
history of this Society, agree that it has been 
left too long struggling to attain a position equal 
to the important objects at which it aims, and 
has been treated in a manner entirely unworthy 
the refined taste claimed by our citizens. The 
labor and anxiety which attend its manage¬ 
ment, which few are able to estimate, except 
those who have participated in them, have been 
borne by a few zealous individuals, who have 
spent a large portion of their valuable time in 
providing for the community at large a source 
of enjoyment which cannot possibly be confined 
to any section, and therefore cannot be enjoyed 
by themselves exclusively, or made use of for 
selfish purposes. Such offices are frequently 
rendered, and nothing received in return but 
apathy and indifference on the part of those 
who are to reap the benefit of their gratuitous 
labor, with insinuations as to their motives. The 
most zealous, however, lose their zeal under 
such circumstances, and only when they have 
abandoned their noble purpose are their efforts 
justly estimated. Public indifference, we trust, 
will not in this instance be carried too far; and 
it is to be hoped that those who heard the 
claims of horticulture urged with so much elo¬ 
quence and feeling on the last evening of the 
exhibition, will not lose sight of the duties 
which the eminent speaker so clearly pointed 
out. The address of the Rev. E. H. Chapin left 
no grounds for doubt as to the importance of 
horticulture in the daily workings of society, 
and its power in sustaining and promoting virtue. 
It is only to be regretted that such an appeal is 
necessary here, while in other less flourishing- 
communities the enthusiasm in such pursuits 
needs rather to be restrained than excited. If 
truth and eloquence, uttered in the presence of 
the objects which prompt it, have no effect in 
awakening the mind to the importance of culti¬ 
vating such a source of enjoyment and refined 
pleasure, then there must be something deficient 
in the moral character, or it has been corrupted 
by less pure associations. From the attention 
with which the address was listened to by a 
large audience, and the interest taken in the 
various objects exhibited, there is some reason 
to hope for a better spirit in New-York towards 
the Society, which has been so long struggling 
for a position. 
The weather on the first day of the exhibition 
was very unfavorable, and the visitors on this 
account few; towards the close the attendance 
was greater, and the interest manifested encour¬ 
aging to the Committee. 
The display of plants, though not extensive, 
was choice, and several specimens were contri¬ 
buted, unequalled at any former exhibition. 
The display of fruits, especially in pears and 
apples, was much superior to what was antici¬ 
pated ; and though the grapes cultivated under 
glass were not equal in quality to those which 
have been before the Society on previous occa¬ 
sions, the bunches were large and the quantity 
not deficient. , 
There has been a general complaint respect¬ 
ing the coloring of the black varieties in all 
sections of the country this season, which has 
been attributed to the unusually wet and dull 
weather during the summer. Some bunches of 
the Isabella grape were large and well-colored. 
The display of native sorts was not large; a 
dish of the Catawba was of good quality, and 
a white seedling attracted some attention, the 
bunches of which were small, but similar to the 
Isabella in form; in flavor it was equal if not 
superior to that variety. A good white native 
sort would be a great acquisition. 
Grapes. —The first premium for the best 
black Hamburg's was awarded to J. Daillidaze, 
gardener to Mr. Rennie, Lodi, N. J.; to the 
same, the premium for the best six named va¬ 
rieties, and also for the best three named varie¬ 
ties. For the best bunch of white Muscats, to 
A. Gordon, gardener to Mr. Hoyt, Astoria, L. I. 
Pears. —The first premium was awarded 
for the best collection to Messrs. C. M. Hovet 
& Co., Boston ; second, to Mr. I. Brill, N. J.; 
for the best six, to A. Gordon, gardener to Mr. 
E. Hoyt, Astoria. 
Apples. —For the best collection, to Mr. 
Bailey, Plattsburg, who exhibited sixty-two 
varieties; for the best six, to Mr. H. Thacker, 
Oneida Community, N. Y. 
Plums. —For the best three, to the same. 
Quinces. —For the best twelve, to John 
White, gardener to Mr. Governeur Morris. 
A discretionary premium for a collection of 
pears was awarded to M. Coleman, gardener to 
Mr. A. P. Cummings, Williamsburg. 
For a very large variety of apples, to A. B. 
Coleman, Cincinnati. These two apples attracted 
much notice from their beauty and unusual size. 
The variety was unknown, and no account given 
of its history. 
Water-melons. —For the best two, to Mr. A. 
Gordon. 
Music-wielons. —Best two, to Mr. I. Buchanan, 
Astoria. 
The premium for the best general display of 
vegetables was awarded to James Angus, gar¬ 
dener to Mr. W. W. Fox, West Farms. 
We have not space for the full list of awards. 
The collections of hot-house plants were from 
Mr. L. Menand, Albany; T. Duncan, gardener to 
Mr. E. J. Wolsey, Astoria; Mr. Isaac Bucha¬ 
nan, Astoria; A. Soiultz, gardener to Mr. 
Munn, Mott Haven, and others. 
A specimen of the swan plant attracted much 
attention from its curiously-formed flower and 
habit of growth. It was growing from a small 
block of wood, and suspended to one of the 
taller plants. This is one of the epiphytal 
orchids. It was sent from Venezuela, of which 
place it is a native ; and has been flowered by 
David Scott, gardener to Mrs. Holbrook. It 
is the Cijcnoches ventricosum of botanists, and 
though not as showy as others of this extensive 
tribe, is very interesting from its appearance 
and form of the flower. 
A collection of cape and other heaths was 
exhibited by Mr. L. Menand, Albany, two of 
which were of unusual dimensions, and larger 
than any we have seen for some time. One of 
them was at least 3 feet by 3, and well fur¬ 
nished with flowers. This was Erica trans- 
parens. He had also E. cerinthioides, E. Bow- 
iana, E. colorans, E. Gracilis autumnalis, and a 
number of less tender varieties. A neat little 
plant of the common heather of Britain was in 
his collection, which was much admired by 
those who recognized it. A very spiny speci¬ 
men of the Cactus tribe, called Opuntia eburnea, 
was among his plants, which presented a very 
formidable aspect, and was feared by many, if 
not loved. Mr. M. has a decided taste for this 
peculiar tribe, and possesses a valuable col¬ 
lection. His skill in plant cultivation, and 
attachment to his profession, are well known; 
and his contributions to the New-York Society 
have been justly appreciated. He had a fine 
collection of tender ferns and lycopodiums. 
Mr. Isaac Buchanan exhibited a very fine 
specimen of Clerodendron Kcempferii , to which 
the first premium was awarded. A large 
plant of Medinilla magnijica, from Mr. AVol- 
sey’s, was much admired; also, a beautiful 
plant of Lycopodium cccsium arboreum from the 
same place. The premium for the best four 
hot-house plants was awarded to this con¬ 
tributor. A very fine plant of Allamanda 
neriifolia showed skill in treatment. A col¬ 
lection of large hot-house plants was deposited 
by Mr. Cummings’s gardener, some of which, 
such as the nutmeg tree, sago, palm, &c., are 
interesting plants. A fine collection of conifer¬ 
ous plants, from Mr. Thos. Richardson’s gar¬ 
dener, AY. Chalmers, occupied a centre table, 
with which was a number of plants of the 
Cactus tribe. The first premium was awarded 
to a collection from Messrs. Thos. Hogg & Son, 
Yorkville, which contained many beautiful and 
valuable plants. 
Mr. A. Bridgeman, Broadway, had a stand of 
plants which contained some interesting speci¬ 
mens. 
Mr. A. Reid exhibited plants and flowers. 
Bouquets and baskets of cut flowers were 
exhibited by Mrs. A. Henderson, Messrs. J. 
Cranstoun, Hoboken; Isaac Buchanan, George 
Hamlyn, Yellow Hook; AY. Parks, Brooklyn, 
and I. T. Mahon. 
The first premium for hand-bouquets was 
awarded to Mr. I. Buchanan. For the best 
parlor-bouquet, to Mrs. A. Henderson; second, to 
Mr. John Cranstoun. For the best basket of 
flowers, to George Hamlyn; second, to Mr. 
Gabrielson. 
For the best basket of wild flowers, to Mr. 
John Cranstoun, Hoboken. 
Extensive collections of dahlias were ex¬ 
hibited, many of which were flowers of merit. 
The premium for the best twelve was awarded 
to Mr. I. AYeir, Gowanus; for fancy dahlias, to 
the same; 
Verbenas were exhibited in large numbers. 
The premium for the best twelve was awarded 
to M. Collopy, gardener to Mr. AV. Prentice. 
For phloxes, the first premium was awarded to 
Mr. I. B. Lenoir, Broadway. 
A discretional premium for a seedling petu¬ 
nia was awarded to Mr. A. Schultz. 
Cut flowers were exhibited by Messrs. T. 
Dunlop, J. AY. YYood, Carmanville; C. More, 
and others. YYe would notice many of the 
articles more particularly, but our space is 
limited. 
The exhibition on the whole was successful, 
and much credit is due to the members of the 
Committee of Arrangements for their attention 
to the convenience of the exhibitors, and the com¬ 
fort of all concerned in the exhibition, but 
especially for the freedom with which they 
devote their valuable time to the promotion of 
the interests of the Society, at a great pecuniary 
sacrifice to themselves. The Chairman, Mr. 
Mead, has labored anxiously to establish the 
Society, and it is to be hoped his efforts will 
eventually prove successful. They certainly 
deserve it. 
