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Mi+8A2 ACHUSETTS

CULTURAL

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TRANSACTIONS

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a$sat|«setts Jmrticultaral ^m%

FOR THE YEAR 1878. /

PART I.

BOSTON :

PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.

1878.

sis-l

The Committee on Publication and Discussion take this oppor-
tunit}' to repeat what they have heretofore stated, that the Societ}^
is not to be held responsible for the certainty of the statements, or
the correctness of the opinions expressed in the papers and discus-
sions now or before published ; but undertakes only to present
these papers and discussions, or the substance of them, correctly.
The award of a prize or gratuity for an Essay is not to be under-
stood as implying that the Committee approve it in ever}' particular,
but only that the}' believe it calculated, on the ivhole, to promote
the science or art of Horticulture.

William C. Strong. Chairman.

TRANSACTIONS

^«$$itdtuj5iJttsi ||0)!ti(uItuMl ^mtUi.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, January .5, 1878.

A duly notified stated meeting of the Society was liolden at 11
o'clo(;k, and was called to order by Francis Parkman, the retiring
President, who reviewed the histor}^ of the Society during the three
years of his administration, and introduced the President elect,
William Gray, Jr., in the following address :

Adi^kkss of President Francis Paricman.

Ladies and Oentlemen :

My official relations with you, as 1 'resident of our Society, end
today, though I am happy to feel that my personal relations with
you will remain unaltered. During the term of my office, some
changes and developments have taken place, of which it may be
well to note the principal points. I spoke at our last annual meet-
ing of tlie organic changes in the laws of the Society, so that it is
needless to dwell on them now, farther than to observe that they
have resulted in increased efficiency, harmony, and. security, and
have supplied what was before extremely defective, if not entirely
wanting, — a means of redress to those who have grievances to
complain of. In this consists one of the chief functions of the
Executive Committee, as now constituted. It is its duty to give
hearing to every complaint, and see that justice is done ; yet every

6 1MASSACHU8ETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTY.

person who nia}' prefer to appeal directly to the Society- itself, re-
mains, as before, perfectl}' free to do so.

The character of our exhibitions may be taken as the best
measure of our progress. In many respects they have distinctly
improved. In the ornamental departments, the improvement has
been, at some points, a very marked one. Such superb specimens
of pot-grown plants as were seen last September in our Hall, were
never seen there before. There has been great zeal, on the part
of both amateur and professional cultivators, in the introduction of
new and rare varieties. Much, too, has been done in the raising of
seedlings. But nowhere has there been more improvement than
in the show of roses, which has far surpassed that of former years,
both in the perfection of single flowers, and in the specimens grown
in pots. This last is a feature of our exhibitions, which till re-
cently, could hardly be said to exist. What are known as " gen-
eral displays " have held a less prominent place than formerly-, and
the Flower Committees have shown a just sense of the interests of
high culture by rewarding quality rather than quantity.

The culture of fruits, and vegetables, being far better developed in
this country than that of flowers, does not afford the same scope for
improvement. In some particulars, the farthest progress seems to
be reached already. In pears, for example, it would be hardly
reasonable to expect any conspicuous improvement from year to
year. In grapes, again, the case is diflerent ; and let us hope that
our exhibitors will not rest content till they have equalled, at least
under glass, the highest results of European culture. .

In regard to all our exhibitions, and, in fact, all our proceedings,
the great danger is of getting into ruts and staying there. We
offer prizes to stinmlate progress, and sometimes the purpose is
very well answered. But no observing person can frequent our
exhibitions wdthout seeing that, in certain departments, there is a
tiresome routine, week after week and year after year. He sees
cards marked "First Prize," " Second Prize," " Gratuity," etc.,
placed against objects neither better nor different from those he
had seen distinguished in the same way four or five years before.
In these cases, and they are too numerous, the Society misses its
mark and throws away the means that ought to be used to promote
a true progress. He who presses onward should win the prize, and
not he who follows his own tracks in a circle. If the committees
will firmly withhold prizes unless there is positive merit in the object

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT FRANCIS PARKMAN. 7

exhibited, they will have more mone}' left for those who deserve it,
and will greatly help the Society to fulfil its mission. In cases
where there has been no perceptible improvement for a long time,
it might be well to suppress the prize altogether for a year or two.

The discussions on horticultural subjects have been of great ser-
vice, and are, in mj^ opinion, one of the best of the new features
lately added to the Societ}'. Much as the}^ have done for us already,
the}' are capable of doing far more. With us, as with all horti-
cultural or agricultural clubs or societies, discussion is subject to
the same evil that besets our exhibitions. It is apt to go round
with the same persons, in the same groove, keeping all the time at
about the same level of intelligence and knowledge, and so fail to
gain its real object, which is to develop those habits of investiga-
tion and reflection, without which the horticulturist can never be
master of his craft. Now I do not say that our discussions have
been of this barren sort. On the contrary-, I think that they have
done real good. But, judging by former years — for during the
last I have unfortunately been unable to attend them — the}'
might be made to do a great deal more good. If members would
more generally share in them, preparing themselves beforehand to
do so by recalling what their own experience may have taught them
about the subject announced, and then, by means of books and jour-
nals, comparing their own results with those reached by others, our
discussions would become a powerful means of stimulating observa-
tion and thought.

Two other experiments have been made of late in connection
with the discussions, and with similar objects. Prizes have been
offered for Essa} s ; and persons of known ability, not always mem-
bers of the Society, have been invited to deliver lectures before it.
Both experiments have had a good degree of success. Some of
the lectures especially have been admirably suited to awaken interest
and kindle a spirit of inquir3^

There has been great improvement in our printed Transactions,
both in the quantit}' and quality of their contents, and in t^'po-
graphical and literary correctness.

The History of the Society, so long in preparation* is now sub-
stantially finished. It embodies a vast amount of informatio.n, and
will be not only a minute record of our own histor}', but also an im-
portant contribution to that of American horticulture..

The Society has had its part in the financial dej^tression of the

8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

time, though by no means to the same degree as many other moneyed
corporations. The restriction of income arising from this source
and from the failure of the expected dividend from Mount Auburn,
has been accepted by j'ou in a spirit of patience and wisdom which,
if continued, will ensure for us in its season a return of ample pros-
perity.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I take leave of an office in which
all my relations with j'ou have been pleasant from beginning to end.
I thank you heartily for the good will and friendliness you have
shown towards me throughout, and I congratulate j^ou no less
heartily on j'our choice of my successor. This choice is in itself a
promise of continued progress and fresh honor. Mr. President, I
welcome you to 3^our new office.

Mr. Gray, on taking the chair, delivered the annual address, as
follows : —

Address of Presidekt William Gray, Jr.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Horticulhiral Society :

On entering upon the duties of the office to which you have called
me, I wish first to express my sense of the honor you have con-
ferred. It is a place of responsibility and trust, and has in the
past been filled so worthily that one may well feel anxious lest he
fall below the high standard which his predecessors have established.
That I will do the best that in me lies for the welfare of the Society,
is all that I can say ; and to enable me to do even this, I ask hearty
and cordial assistance from you all.

I will not dwell on the past with which 3'ou are familiar. I
would rather today look forward and see what in the future de-
mands our attention ; and first in regard to the financial condition
of the Society.

In common with the whole country, we are suflTering from the
general depression of business ; this affects our income, and the
lessening of our means must be met by a corresponding reduction
of our expenditures — a law which cannot be evaded with impunit}'^
by corporations or individuals. This enforced economy has, how-
ever, its compensations ; it shows us how little of our real happiness
depends on what can be bought with money ; it forces us to find in
ourselves, or in our previous acquisitions, elements of interest not
suspected before ; it will bring back in the course of time, perhaps

ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT WILLIAM GRAY, JR. 9

by many a hard experience, some of the habits of that old New
England thrift, so much out of fashion of late. With us there has
been a reduction of salaries, not because the services were worth
the less, but because we could not pay the old rates. It has been
accepted cheerfully b}' those most concerned, and we shall all
rejoice when the time comes for restoring them to their old basis .
The Schedule of Frizes has been thoroughly revised, and a consider-
able saving made in the amount offered for the coming j^ear. We
should remember how bountiful our Societj' has been in this respect
wlien it had the means. The schedule of prizes for 1830 was
$188, this has been increased from 3'ear to 3'earwith our prosperity,
until in 1876 the amount was $6,800. For 1878 the amount is
$4,575. Let us all look to it that there be no falling oft' in the ex-
hibitions. It should be no question of dollars and cents ; it is a
question of the honor of our Societ}-, which I trust will be upheld
by its sons and daughters should it become necessary' to suspend
the prize list altogether.

We owe a debt here which can never be repaid ; for a noble
library, which few, as individuals, could afford to own ; the oppor-
tunity week by week of seeing so much that is rare and beautiful in
fruits and flowers ; the meeting on common ground with those from
every walk in life, brought together b}" a common love of Nature.
And to many, perhaps, the lessons learned here have developed
tastes which have been the sources of the purest and highest happi-
ness of their lives.

I can feel no misgiving as to the future, if we are but true to
ourselves. , Let us consider what to-day is necessar3^ to success in
any department of human affairs. I should sum it all up by sajdng
that to do one thing and that well — better if possible than any one
else — in other words, to have a specialty' and stand or fall by our
success in that. This New England of ours is growing old ; her
fields, never rich, are less productive than ever ; her sons do not
take kindly to a farmer's life ; 3'ou will see that the tide of popula-
tion is steadily setting towards the large cities and manufacturing
centres. This may not be an unmixed evil, but, unless the old out-
of-door life is replaced by some taste or pursuit which shall relax
the constant strain imposed by the modern sj^stem of society, it
seems to me that New England has seen her best daj's. Such re^
laxation is within reach of us all, and is probabl}' practised daily
by all here.
2

10 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

I would say to you, Do what the manufacturers in this part of the
country are doing — making specialties in their business. In the
South, close to the cotton fields ; in the West, close to the sheep
farms, factories are being built to use the raAv material where
cheapest. Our factories, at a disadvantage because of the dis-
tance from their supplies, are making finer fabrics, in which labor is
the larger part of the cost, using less cotton and wool, and more
brains ; and this must continue as the price of their success.

The same rule I hold to be true of horticulture ; we must seek
qualit}' rather than quantity. With glass and coal and skill we can
rival the tropics in the luxuriance of palm and fern, and set winter
at defiance ; but, do we do this well, that is, economically and to
the best result? I should have to answer. No. There are some ex-
ceptions, but I think the general level is not a high one. People
are too ambitious ; they undertake too much ; perhaps it would be
more accurate to say that their love of plants is too strong for their
judgment, and they fill a greenhouse, or plant their trees, and can
never afterwards make up their minds to thin out. But whatever
the cause, I think the fact cannot be disputed.

The remedy is plain if we will but apply it. The sum of human
knowledge is growing unwieldly ; there are more books written in a
year than can be read in a lifetime ; the real work is done, the real
success attained, b}' those who give their lives to single objects.
And this, I think, is what we should do, whether horticulture be
the business of our life, or the relaxation from other pursuits —
choose one department of it and excel in that ; and not be con-
tent with anything short of the highest results that skill and energy
and a single-hearted devotedness to the object of our choice,
whatever that may be, can accomplish.

In closing, I must refer for a moment to the friend whom I
succeed here, as a striking example of this principle. His life-
work has been a specialty pursued under difficulties that none can
full}' appreciate. His relaxation has been in various specialties at
various times. His histories will be the enduring monument of his
success in the former, and in the latter, we all know how easily he
has been first among us in whatever he has undertaken.

Marshall P. Wilder announced the death of Professor Jared P.
Kirtland, LL. D., of East Rockport, Ohio, an Honorary Member
of this Society, at the advanced age of eighty-four years ; and said
that Dr. Kirtland was one of the remarkable men of our age, and

DECEASE OF J. P. KIRTLAND, LL. D. 11

for his scientific investigations and practical labors in a wide field
in natural histor}^, for more than fifty years, he has left a fame
rarely achieved. As a horticulturist and botanist, he has been con-
stantly at work for this long period, and his success in the produc-
tion of new varieties of fruits and flowers is widely known, and the
results of his labors are to be found in the gardens and orchards of
our country. He gave special attention to crossing the grape,
raspberry, and other fruits, particularly^ the cherry. The same
might be said of his efforts in the hybridization of the tree paeony,
one of the seedlings of which he dedicated to the speaker. He
was exceedingly successful in grafting and budding the magnolia,
and has left, surrounding his residence, very large trees of many
rare foreign kinds which are diflflcult to propagate. He created the
Cleveland Societ}^ of Natural Historj", and was for a long course
of years its President. He was chosen a member of the American
Philosophical Society, the highest recognition of scientific labor
known to the New World. He was for many 3'ears professor in
several medical schools, and was President of the Kirtland Society
of Natural History, besides filling man}" other places of honor and
trust. His interest in Natural History commenced in his youth,
and he was intimately' acquainted with the habits of beasts, birds
and fishes, and particularly' interested in the artificial production of
fish. His writings on the various branches of natural history have
been frequentl}' published and widel}' read. He was winning in
his manners and benevolent in his disposition. His great age was
the result of an active, wejl-ordered life, devoted to the public good,
and he retained his interest in his studies to its close. His name
will be cherished as that of one of the most useful men of his time,
and his example is worthj' of our imitation.

Mr. Wilder then offered the following resolutions in memory of
Dr. Kirtland :

Resolved^ That the members of the Massachusetts Horticultural
Societ}', in common with the public, have learned with deep and
sincere regret of the death of Jared P. Kirtland, LL. D., an old
and highly respected Honorary Member of this Society.

Hesolved, That though Dr. Kirtland had arrived at an age not
commonly allotted to man, we regard his death as a national loss ;
the loss of one of the most learned and useful men that our country
has produced, as a citizen, a man of science, or a scholar. Few
have left such enduring memorials of industry, intelligence, and
devotion to all that pertains to rural art, rural taste, and human

12 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

happiness, as he has left in his writings and teachings. Tliongh he
is gone, he still speaks to us in lessons of wisdom, and his works
will bless his countrymen while there shall be among them a lover
of the beautiful in nature, or a heart to advance the cause of science
or the happiness of mankind.

Resolved^ That we sympathize with the relatives and friends of
Dr. Kirtland in this bereavement, and that as a token of our pro-
found respect for his memory-, these proceedings be entered on our
records, and a copy thereof be sent to his family. *

Charles M. Hovey said that his acquaintance with Dr. Kirtland
commenced more than fort}^ years ago, and that, besides receiving
from him man}' communications for the ' ' Magazine of Horticulture,"
he had kept up an interesting private correspondence with him.
His experiments in horticulture showed him to be far in advance of
the world generally.

Francis Parkman said that he became acquainted with Dr. Kirt-
land when he was seventy years old, and that he then appeared in
the full vigor of life. He was a man of great energy and enthu-
siasm, 3'et these were alwaj's tempered with reason. He had a
robust mind in a robust bod}^ He was thorough in everything,
and his experiments, especially, were exact, for the}' were conducted
b}^ an understanding naturally strong, and improved by careful
training. No writer is so complete or so satisfactor}- in regard to
the cultivation of the magnolia ; indeed, the discover}^ of the ad-
vantage of grafting the glauca, and other species of smaller growth,
upon the more robust acuminata, is due to him. He was such a
man as our country needs, and one of the few whose loss in horti-
culture may be regarded as a national loss.

The resolutions were unanimously passed.

The President, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, reported
a recommendation that the following appropriations be made for
the year 1878 :

For prizes, $4,575 00

For the Library Committee, for the purchase of
magazines and newspapers, binding of books
and incidental expenses of the Committee, 225 00
For the Committee on Publication and Dis-
cussion, 200 00

For a portrait or bust of the President elect, 200 00
For a testimonial to the retiring President, . 150 00

The above appropriations were unanimousl}- voted.

RIPENING AND MARKETING PEARS. 13

The President also announced the appointment by the Executive
Committee, of Edwin W. Buswell as Treasurer of the Society, and
Robert Manning as Secretary.

The following vote, presented b}' William C. Strong, was unani-
mously passed.

Voted^ That the thanks of this Societ}' be presented to our
retiring President, Francis Parkman, for the valuable services ren-
dered during his administration, and that as an expression of our
appreciation of these services, a committee of three be appointed
to procure and present to Mr. Parkman a suitable testimonial.

The Chair appointed as that Committee, W. C. Strong, C. M.
Hove}^, and Waldo O. Ross.

On motion of Herve^' Davis it was

Voted, That the Prospective Prize of sixty dollars, awarded to
John B. Moore, for the Moore's Earl}' Grape, be paid out of the
unexpended balance of the appropriation foi- prizes for the year
1877.

W. C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Discussions,
announced that the Meetings for Discussion would be resumed on
the next Saturday, at 11 o'clock, when J. W. Pierce would read a
Prize Essay on " Ripening and Marketing Pears," to be followed
by a discussion of the subject.

On motion it was voted that when this meeting adjourn it be to
Saturday, Januar}' 10, at 11 o'clock.

Adjourned.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, Januarj- 12, 1878.

A Meeting for Discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, William C.
Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion,
presiding. The following Prize Essay was read b}' the author,
J. W. Pierce, of West Millbury, Mass. :

Ripening and Marketing Pears.

The pear stands next to the apple in the list of our most valuable
domestic fruits, and its cultivation is rapidly increasing, while with
man}' fruit growers there is a disposition to lessen the production

14 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

of apples, owing to their uncertainty and tendenc}^ to over produc-
tion in years of plenty. Although the supply of pears has hardly
been equal to the demand, and until within a few years they have
commanded a high price, — and even now a superior article will
bring a \erj satisfactory^ reward, — 3'et I apprehend that, provided
we can successfully combat the blight, a few 3'ears hence pears will
be as plent}^ and cheap as apples are in ordinary' 3'ears. I notice
that there are more 30ung pear trees commencing to bear, and more
pear orchards being planted than there are of apples, and that
man}" orchardists are digging up their apple trees. Certainl}' on
soils adapted to their grotvth, pears are surer and more productive,
taken one year with another, than apples, and can be produced
cheaper b}' the barrel.

But while the cultivation of the pear in favored localities is easier
than that of apples, the proper ripening and marketing of^ the pear
is attended with more difficult}-. Indeed, there are but few people
who know how to handle pears so as to ripen them in a way to
obtain their best color and flavor, and to bring them to maturity at
just the most desirable time ; or having satisfactorily ripened them
to put them into market in a condition to obtain the best returns.
A good pear may be ripened so as to be solid, juicy, and sweet,
with a good rich color to its skin, or it may be made corky, insipid,
and rotten at the core ; or again it may be shrivelled, sour, and
unattractive, and these different conditions may all be obtained the
same season, and from fruit grown on the same tree. This being
the case, the importance of proper ripening will readily be seen.
"While different varieties ma}' require slightly different treatment,
owing to their individual characteristics and the season, yet the
same general rules will apply to all. I believe that nearly all pear
growers agree that all kinds of pears should be picked while green,
and ripened in the house, but at just what time they should be
picked, and just how they should be handled to ripen them, are sub-
jects on which there is much diversity of opinion.

But in order that we may intelligently understand this subject,
let us see what this ripening process is, and what are the conditions
essential to its most perfect development.

Chemists tell us that about fourteen per cent.> of the pear is
soluble matter, and that it is composed of a trace of free
acid, and twenty-three hundredths of one per cent, of albu-
minoids, and that the rest of the 'soluble matter is made

EIPENING AND MARKETING PEARS. 15

up of sugar, starch, cellulose, dextrine, and other farinaceous
substances. Now this ripening process is a saccharine fermen-
tation, and is analogous to tlie malting of brewers' grains. In
malting, diastase is formed bj^ a change of albumen in the grain,
and this diastase acts as a ferment on the starch, gum, and cellulose
of the barlej', and changes a portion of these substances to glucose
or grape sugar. In the ripening of pears, the vegetable acids
which they contain, act on these farinaceous substances, of which
the pear is so largely composed, and if the fruit is removed from
the trees and kept at a temperature which favors this saccharine
fermentation, its cellular tissues will be broken down, its water and
aroma set free, and glucose or grape sugar will be formed from its
farinaceous substances, giving us a sweet, juicy, high-flavored pear.
Now what we want, in ripening pears, is to obtain the most perfect
development of this fermentative process, but at the same time to
avoid an}' vinous or destructive fermentation which would destroy
the sugar or induce decay. We also want to hnxe the fruit as
large and plump as possible, avoiding any wilted or shrivelled
appearance, and to obtain its best color — as much of bright straw
color, with a tinge of red, as possible. Now how shall we make
a practical application of these principles so as to obtain the
desired results ?

Summer and early fall pears should be picked just before they
begin to turn, and when the}' are nearly grown ; should be handled
with great care, to avoid bruising, and should be placed in barrels
or boxes in a room or cellar, where the temperature ma}' be kept at
about 70° and a moderate degree of moisture maintained. A veiy
dry air is not so good, as it absorbs the moisture and aroma from the
fruit, injui-es its flavor, and causes it to wilt and shrivel up. After
being kept in such a room a few days they will begin to turn, and
some of them will mellow ; then they should be sold or used before
they soften. The boxes, barrels, or whatever they may be placed
in, should be covered with papers to exclude the light and prevent
the escape of the aroma.

Care should also be exercised to avoid placing them so deep in
barrels or heaps as to allow of the generation of much internal
heat, which might carry the fermentation too high and destroy the
fruit. When one has the facilities for dQing so, he may improve
the color, and possibly the flavor, by spreading them on shelves
between old newspapers. This ripening between papers, on shelves,

16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

in a room where an even temperature, and the right degree of
moisture can be maintained, seems to give the most satisfactor}'
results of an}- method with whicli I am acquainted. The manner
in which early pears thus treated will color, is truly wonderful.

It is often desirable to lengthen the season of the ripening of
some of our early pears ; especially' is this the case where the Bart-
lett — which seems to be the standard summer *i)ear for marketing
purposes — is the main crop. This ma}' be readily done, by making
two or more pickings from each tree, with several weeks between
the first and the last picking. The largest and ripest should be
picked first — as soon as the windfalls will ripen and be good — and
the smaller and greener ones should be left to receive the additional
sap which the earlier ones would have appropriated. Sometimes
one side of a tree will be much earlier than the other, in which
case the earliest side should be picked first.

This early picking should be ripened off' at once by the process
already described, only observing that the greener the fruit the
higher temperature it will require, and a more humid atmosphere
will be needed to prevent their shrivelling. Having ripened and
disposed of this earl}- crop, another picking should be made and
served in a similar way, leaving the greenest on the trees as long-
as they will keep green. Mulching and, where practicable, water-
ing, will help to prolong their season by keeping up the vigor of
the trees. Most summei- and fall pears may be kept best by leav-
ing them on the trees as long as they will hang and keep green.
I have tried keeping them on ice, but while it checked their ripen-
ing, it induced decay and destroyed the life of the pear, if I may
be allowed such an expression. Certainly, keeping pears a long
time at a low temperature injures their ripening properties. By
making early and late pickings as described, we may obtain a larger
crop from each tree and sell it at better prices, because we can put
part of them into market early, before the bulk of the crop is
received, and we can keep a part of the crop until quite late and
sell when the rush is over, thereby obtaining better prices. Splen-
did specimens for exhibition purposes may be obtained by leaving
a few of the largest and fairest specimens on the tree and picking
all others early ; then, when fully grown, pick and ripen between
papers or blankets, as the weather and degree of ripeness they have
attained on the tree may require.

A great many people pick their pears too green. Such pears

RIPENING AND MARKETING PEAKS. 17

are small, and the^' will shrivel unless ripened with great care, and
the}' lack the bod}' and flavor of those which are fully grown. Late
fall and winter pears should be left on the trees until hard frosts
and wind}' weather cause them to fall ; then they should be care-
fully picked, sorted, and packed in clean barrels and stored where
the temperature can be kept as near 40° as possible until the season
of ripening has arrived, when they should be placed between wool-
len blankets in a room where an even temperature of as near *70°
as po8sil)le can be maintained, and they will soon ripen like sum-
mer pears.

I believe the cause of the failure of so many people to satisfac-
torily ripen winter pears is, that the fruit is kept and ripened at so
low a temperature that the tendency to saccharine fermentation is
destroyed, instead of being favored, and consequently such pears
are dry and tasteless.

The summa swnmarum of this whole matter is, if we wish to
keep pears and retard their ripening, we must keep them in a still
dry air, at a temperature as near 40° as it is possible. But when
it is desirable to ripen them, put them in a dark, warm place with
a moderate degree of moisture in the air, and keep them covered
to exclude the light and retain the heat and gases which are gene-
rated. In warm weather use papers for a covering, and in cold
weather use woollen blankets.

Marketing. To the man who grows pears for profit, the subject
of marketing is of paramount importance, but here is where many
fail. They can produce first class crops in abundance, but fail to
put them into market in the best shape and at just the right time.
The best way to market a crop of pears depends very much on the
quantity, the kinds, and the distance from market, as well as the
individual tastes of the producer.

To one who has a large quantity of fruit to dispose of, and who
is located some distance from a large market, or one who has not
any taste or ability for marketing, I would recommend to ship
them, while yet hard, to some reliable fruit dealer in one of our
large markets. By so doing he may obtain his money in a mass
and save a large amount of time. Pears/ sold in this way should
be carefully sorted, discarding all ripe or wormy ones, as well as
those which are knurly or undersized, and they should be packed in
clean barrels, with a layer of choice ones laid on their side in the
bottom of the barrel ; then fill in a few carefully and shake down ;
3

18 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

then more and shake again, and when even full after it is thoroughly
shaken, press the head in, drive the hoops, and nail the head in, and
line it with pieces of old hoops or green twigs ; then turn the barrel
over and mark the name of the party to whom it is to be shipped, as
well as the kind and quality. If shipped before cold weather, or
if nearly ripe, the barrel should have holes bored in it to admit a
circulation of air and prevent the fruit from heating and rotting.

Great care should be exercised to use onl}' clean, sweet barrels,
and new ones should be used when they can be obtained. Pears
will readilj' absorb odors from the barrel or whatever they ma}- be
packed in. Any substance which will absorb moisture, like sugar
or salt, will induce decay. The value of a barrel is too insignificant
when compared with that of the pears it will hold, to warrant the
use of doubtful ones.

When small quantities are to be sold in a local market, it is
better to put them out in a nearly ripe condition : that is when
the^' just begin to turn, but before the}^ are soft. When sold in
this condition I know of no better way to handle them than to
pack in shallow boxes similar to those used by market gardeners
for the sale of vegetables. These boxes should be made to hold
just a bushel or half a bushel each when even full, and the bottoms,
for the sake of ventilation, should be made of battens three-fourths
of an inch thick, and one and one-half inches wide, with three-
fourths of an inch spaces between them. The bushel adopted by
our government contains 2,150.42 cubic inches, and as pears as well
as other fruits and vegetables are sold b}' heaped measure, which
amounts to about five pecks even measure, we must add one peck to
the standard, which will give 2,688 cubic inches in a heaping bushel.
Now a box made eight inches deep and eighteen wide by eighteen
and two-thirds long, will hold 2,688 cubic inches even full, and such
boxes may be packed into a common market wagon side by side
and as high as is desirable, without injur}'^ to the fruit. For pears
which are quite ripe it would be better to use half-bushel boxes of
the same dimensions, except in height, which should be only four
inches instead of eight. In a four inch deep box, mellow pears
may be safely transported quite a distance in a spring wagon.

Common baskets should b^' all means be avoided for handling
ripe or nearly ripe fruit. They are not rigid enough ; they are
continually changing their shape, and a slight movement will jam
the fruit more or less. Let any one who doubts this take a half-

RIPEXING AND MARKETING PEARS. 19

bushel of pears to market, when the}' ai'e nearly' ripe, in a basket,
and failing — as he ought — to sell them, carr}^ them home again and
see what they look like the next day. I do not know of any thing
to hold fruit for market, that is more objectionable than a common
basket. But pears packed in these shallow boxes, with openings
in the bottom, may be carried to market, and if not sold can be
taken home again without injury. For convenience of handling,
these boxes should have holes cut in the opposite sides for handles.
Whether to sell wholesale or retail is a matter for each producer
to decide for himself, and must depend very much on his quantity
of fruit and distance from market, but it must be borne in mind
that retailing takes a great deal of time, and can often be done
more cheaply by a second party than by the producer.

Discussion.

On the conclusion of the Essay the Chairman called on Marshall
P. Wilder, as the Nestor of pear culture. Mr. Wilder said that the
maturit}' of fruits depends on saccharine fermentation, which is fol-
lowed by the vinous and acetous fermentations. To prevent these,
and preserve the fruit in all its beauty, freshness, and flavor, the
temperature must be uniform, and be kept below the point at which
fermentation, or the ripening process, commences. It was well
said by his friend, Robert Manning, some j^ears ago, that "the
ripening of fruit is the completion of the chemical process b}' which
starch is transformed into sugar, and is the first stej) toward fer-
mentation and decay ; whatever promotes fermentation will hasten
the ripening ; whatever retards fermentation will tend to its preser-
vation."

The conditions of success in preserving and ripening fruit may
be briefly stated to be the perfect control of temperature, light, and
moisture. Various fruit houses and cellars have been built in this
and other countries for this purpose, and all experience shows that
these conditions must be complied with or success cannot be at-
tained. Hence these apartments must be cool, and constructed so
as at pleasure to exclude the external atmosphere. It is possible,
however, to preserve the temperature at so low a degree, and so
long, as to destro}', especially with some varieties of the pear, the
vitality, and therefore all power ever to resume the ripening pro-
cess. Experience proves that for the common varieties of the pear

20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

about 40° of Fahrenheit is the temperature best suited to hold the
ripening process in equilibrium.

The proper maturing of fruit thus preserved demands skill and
science. Different varieties require different degrees of moisture
and heat, according to the firnmess of the skin, the texture of the
flesh, and the natural activity of the juices. ' Thus, some varieties
of the pear will ripen at a low temperature and in a comparatively
dry atmosphere, while others, like the Easter Beurre, are improved
by a warm and humid air. Some varieties of the pear, ripening
with difficulty and formerly esteemed only second rate, are now
pronounced of excellent qualit}^ because the art of maturing them
is better understood.

Mr. Wilder said that these remarks, like his own experience, had
special reference to the apple and pear, though the principles laid
down were doubtless susceptible of more extensive application.
Fruits designed to be kept for a considerable time should be
gathered with great care some da3's before the ripening process
commences, especially simimer pears. A summer pear ripened
on the tree is generally inferior. In respect to these, Mr. Barr^-,
when editor of the " Horticulturist," so aptly expressed the views
of the speaker that he used his language : " The process of ripening
on the tree, which is the natural one, seems to act upon the fruit
for the benefit of the seed, as it tends to the formation of woody
fibre and farina. When the fruit is removed from the tree at the
very commencement of ripening, and placed in a still atmosphere,
the natural process seems to be counteracted, and sugar and juice
are elaborated instead of fibre and farina. Thus, pears which
become meal}- and rot at the core, when left on the tree to ripen,
become juicy, melting, and delicious, when ripened in the house."

O. B. Hadwen thought that pears required much skill in ripening,
and that but few varieties should be kept in the house at a time.
With pears, as with grapes, the best results are obtained b}' those
who give special attention to their ripening. The further he went
iu pear culture, the more he was convinced that to grow pears
profitably not more than three or four varieties should be cultivated.

Robert Manning spoke of the opinion entertained b}' the late
John Gordon, an extensive pear grower, that the color of pears
was brought out better when they were covered with woollen cloths
than when any other material was used. He had seen similar views
expressed in print by others, and was led to suspect that the wool-

KIPENIXG AND MAEKETING PEARS. 21

len cloths might possibl}' produce some specific effect in heightening
the color of the fruit. He inquired Mr. Pierce's views on this
point.

Mr. Pierce had not observed any special effect on the color from
the use of woollen cloths. He hud used them onlj- in cold weather
to keep the fruit warm.

Robert Murray had generally been successful in keeping pears,
but this year the}' had not kept so well as usual. He put them in
boxes and kept them in a cool place, and brought them into a
warmer room to ripen them. The Winter Nelis was very fine, and
ripened earlier than usual, though the}^ shrivelled. The Sieulle
dropped its leaves, yet the fruit ripened. In previous seasons he had
kept the Beurre d'Anjou until March, but this year, with the same
care, they were all gone two months before that time. He did not
understand the cause of this difference in their ripening. He placed
Lawrence pears in a box in a cold shop, and covered them loosely,
and though they must have been frozen, in January every one of
them was perfect.

Mr. Wilder said that his pears kept better this season than usual,
though some, left out-doors in heaps for a time, shrivelled.

Mr. Murray said that he gathered his pears towards the close of
October ; last fall they remained on the trees longer than usual.
He allowed no air to strike the fruit after it was gathered.

Aaron Davis Capen said that after planting his trees he did not
force them, for he believed that some growers were foi'cing their
trees too much, and he thought that his had done better than with
excessive culture. He had a neighbor who cultivated to such an
extent that the fruit was worthless. He was glad to hear Mr.
Murra}- speak of his failures, for he had failed himself, but only
through negligence. He had commonly left his pears out late —
until the snow came ; but this year he put them into the cellar
earlier, where they were more exposed to air and warmth, and con-
sequently decaj'ed earlier. At a meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural
.Society held the last week in March, about eight 3^ears ago, he ex-
hibited Passe Colmars in good preservation. He had kept Beurre
d'Aremberg and Winter Nelis to the end of March, but this year
the Winter Nelis were all gone the first of January. He had had
very handsome specimens of Vicar of Winkfield, which he kept in
the cellar, until the}' were wanted for market, when the}^ were
placed near a stove in a warm room and colored beautifully.

22 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Wilder said that to ripen pears it is only necessary to bring
them into a higher temperature — 50° and upwards — and keep them
from the light.

The Chairman asked whether better quality could not be obtained
b}' special methods with some varieties, the Vicar of Winkfield for
instance.

Mr. Wilder answered the Chairman's question in the affirmative-
Mr. Murray had never thought much of the Vicar, but this year
he had some fine specimens, which were brought into the cellar near
the furnace to ripen, and colored up beautifully, so as to look very
tempting, but they were worthless for eating.

Alexander Dickinson had found that when proper care is given
to it the Vicar is a nice pear. The}' are finer on quince stocks
than on pear roots, but are apt to over bear on the quince, and
must be thinned. If rightl}' handled they are one of the best pears
— he thought more of them now than ever before ; when well ripened
up they are nearl}' equal to Beurre d'Anjou.

Mr. Murray- said that he had one tree and that was all he wanted.
He considered it the most worthless of all pears. '

Mr. Dickinson said that he kept them in a stable where it was
cool and shady, and never picked them over until they were sold.
When well ripened the}' look very much like Bartletts.

Mr. Wilder said that A. J. Downing once asked him what pear
he would plant if he were restricted to one variet}', and he replied
"the Vicar." The Massachusetts Agricultural Club, after five
3'ears' discussion agreed on eighteen pears as most desirable for
cultivation, and the Vicar was one. Messrs, Walker, Cabot, and
Lovett, who were experienced pomologists, ditfered at first, but
finall}^ agreed. Mr. Wilder said the Vicar is sometimes all but first
rate. It has more aroma than any other pear, and has sold for
from two dollars and a half to three dollars per dozen ; but this, it
must be remembered, was a long time ago.

E. W. Wood said that five 3'ears ago the Newton Horticultural
Societ}' recommended twent}' varieties of pears, of which the Vicar
was one, but there was a strong opposition to including it, and he
then quoted the opinion expressed b}' Samuel Walker and just re-
ferred to b}- Mr. Wilder. But the speaker said he had never been
able to grow^ it of good qualit}' ; the trees, especially dwarfs, set a
great crop, but his never matured so as to make a first class table
jDear. In January, 1874, Mr. Dickinson took the first prize for

RIPENING AND MARKETING PEARS. 23

winter pears, one of his varieties being the Vicar, and, in the
accompanying statement, said that they had been kept in his
barn covered with hay.

Mr. Dickinson said that this year he had kept them in boxes ;
he had never had another opportunity to keep them in ha}'.

Mr. Wood spoke of a gentleman in Quinc}' who asked fifteen
dollars per barrel for his Vicars [Mr. Wilder said that he had
sometimes got twenty dollars for his] , and who meant to set out
five hundred trees next year, but partly for stocks, as it is the best
of all growers. It will grow like the Baldwin apple. He had had
trees on the quince root make good pear roots in four 3-ears.

Mr. Pierce said that he would leave pears on the tree as long as
he could safely.

Mr. Dickinson remarked that the Vicar should be planted on a
warm gravelly loam, in a sunn}' place. It will not produce good
fruit on a clay soil.

Mr. Capen formerly had a neighbor who thought the Vicar not
fit to eat, but before he died he acknowledged its excellence. He
had, himself, two trees, one of which never produced a good pear,
and the difference could not have been caused by the soil.

Mr. Wilder said that his friend Dr. Burnett, while travelUng in
the West the present winter found Vicars selling for a shilling each,
and as good as any pear. They were of California growth.

Fred W. Kelsey thought the whole truth in regard to the Vicar
could be summed up in a few words — if well grown they are magnif-
icent ; if poorly grown the}' are worthless. The top of the tree
should be kept open and thin to admit the sun and air.

Mr. Manning thought the soil a very important point. He
agreed with Mr. Dickinson that good Vicars could not be produced
on a cold, damp, or clayey soil ; but on a warm soil, well exposed to
the sun, they acquire a red cheek, and will "yellow up" well and
be of fair quality.

John B. Moore said they would not always produce fruit of good
quality on warm soils. He had plenty of sand and gravel, and
had thinned the fruit and grown it large, and then had to sell them
for one dollar per bushel. He preferred a first rate pear ; the Vicar
is simply a cooking pear. Mr. Dickinson would not say it is as
good as Beurre d'Anjou or Winter Nelis. The speaker had had
crops of forty or fifty bushels, and the quicker he sold them the
more money he got. He meant to graft his trees with other
varieties. *

24 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Samuel Hartwell had been unfortunate in ripening his Vicars
until this year. He gathered the crop on the 10th of November,
kept them in a cool room for about a month, and then carried them
into a cool, dr}' cellar, and though the}' are now all gone, the}' were
all eaten and were ver}' nice.

N. B. White said that if no other pear could be grown he would
plant Vicars. His soil was cold and he sold his Vicars for two
dollars and a half per barrel. Thinning will make a difference,
but people generally will not take the trouble to do it. •

CM. Hovey said that all the gentleman who had spoken were
correct. Years ago, when we had not so many good pears as we
have now, the Vicar was valuable, but now they are not worth
carrying to market. California specimens have been sold for three
dollars per bushel. He had Vicars as good this 3'ear as they ever
were, but they will not compare with other winter pears, and can
now be considered as scarcely worth growing.

Mr. Dickinson said that Mr. Hovey's soil had a cla}' bottom,
and he did not think 3'ou could raise a good Vicar on it. The trees
must be well manured and kept in a good growing state. If allowed
to grow too thick there will be black spots on the fruit, which is
very objectionable. He sold his this 3'ear for three dollars per
bushel, which is about as much as he could get for an3'thing.

The Chairman remarked that Mr. Hove3" and Mr. Dickinson had
run neck and neck in exhibiting pears for premium.

Mr. Wilder said that all the different opinions which had been
expressed were honest. Mr. Dickinson's Vicars must have been
better than Mr. Moore's. We do not sa3' that it will succeed well
ever3' where.

Mr. Murra3' said that his trees grow on a warm, gravell3' soil,
and four 3'ears ago he had a bushel of fine ones, which about the
middle of February he sold for four dollars ; but the buyer after-
wards told him he could not sell him an}- more of that rubbish.

Benjamin G. Smith did not consider it the best pear, but one of
the best. His finest specimens were sent to the table and the
others were iised for cooking.

Mr. Hovey alluded to the fruit house built in Cambridge, on
Professor N3'ce's plan, some 3'ears ago, and said that he had never
put any pears into it but once, as he had found that pears in winter
are of no great value as a market product. Fruit kept well there,
however, and Seckels were quite plentiful in our market and of good

RIPENING PEARS — RECORD OF AWARDS, ETC. 25

qualit}'' as late as January, supplying the demand so that the
Dana's Hovey would not command much more than half the ordi-
nary price. So far as respects keeping pears the process is
successful, but the value doubtful.

Mr. Dickinson said that the fruit house pa3's, and is a good thing
if managed properly. Some kinds do better in it than others ;
among these are the Bartlett and Beurre d'Anjou. Beurre Bosc
and Duchesse d'Angouleme will not do. Bartletts sold for five and
six dollars per bushel, but they lose their flavor after a time. As
much or more fruit is put into the fruit house as ever, but it is not
managed on Prof. Nyce's s^'stem.

The Chairman announced that next Saturda}^ William D. Phil-
brick would read a Prize Essa^^ ou " Bottom Heat."

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, January 19, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock,
President Gray iu the chair.

The following vote was unanimously passed :
Voted, That the vote passed November 3d, 1877, concerning the
Treasurer's Report, be repealed.

E. W. Buswell read his Annual Report as Treasurer, including
the Report of the Finance Committee.

The following vote, offered b}- John C. Hove}', and seconded by
Francis Parkman, was unanimously passed :

Voted, That the Secretary of this Society is hereby' directed to
keep a complete record of all awards made by the Committees on
Fruits, Flowers, and Vegetables, in a book or books kept for that
purpose ; and that the Chairman of each Committee named is
directed to furnish the Secretary with a cop}^ of all awards imme-
diately after each exhibition.

W. C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and
Discussion, presented the list of Prizes for Essays for the jeav
1878, which was read by the President.

Adjourned to Saturday, February 2.
4

26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

The following Essay, for which a prize had been awarded, was
read b}^ the writer, William D. Philbrick, of Newton Centre,

Mass. :

Bottom Heat — Its Benefits and Methods.

B^- the term " bottom heat," as used by gardeners, is described
the application of artificial heat, of whatever kind, to the soil in
which plants are grown, or in which seeds or cuttings are started
into growth under glass, in the autumn, winter, or spring. It is
called bottom heat to distinguish it from the heat of the air over
the soil, which is maintained, in general, at a lower temperature
than that of the soil. The temperature of the air is subject to
considerable variation, incident to the effect of sunlight or of
cold winds upon the glass, while bottom heat, or the heat of the
soil, should be kept more uniform.

It is very difficult, during the severe weather of our winter and
early spring, to start into growth tender and tropical seeds and
cuttings, without the application of bottom heat. The earth
must be maintained for weeks together at a temperature never less
than 60°, even during the long, wind}' nights, when the thermometer
outside ma}' indicate several degrees below zero. If heat is applied
by artificial methods only to the air over the bed, it is not found so
easy to prevent the bed from becoming chilled by the cold earth
underneath, which at this season of the year has a temperature of
not far from 40°.

The benefits to be derived from the use of bottom heat, are
limited almost wholly to the kinds of work mentioned above, and
will be found to be less and less apparent in proportion to the
hardiness of the plants or seeds with which we have to deal, and
to be less and less needed as the warm weather advances.

Thus the gardener finds bottom heat essential in starting the
seeds of early tomatoes, peppers, egg plants, cucumbers, and
melons, and in rooting cuttings of coleus, fuchsia, heliotrope, ver-
bena, and other tender plants in early spring ; while the hardier
lettuce and radish seeds, and cuttings of geraniums will grow more
healthily without bottom heat as soon as the severe weather is past.
Cuttings of all kinds are rooted in cool weather much more rapidly
by means of it than is possible in any other manner.

BOTTOM HEAT ITS BENEFITS AND METHODS. 27

This is because we wish to stimuhite a growth of roots, before
the growth of leaves, and to do this we need to keep the soil at ten
or fifteen degrees higher temperature than the air over the bed.
This relation of temperature of the air to that of the bed is not
difficult to maintain in the cool weather of winter and early spring,
and as this is the season when we wish to multipl}' our stock of
bedding and other plants for spring planting, it is at this season
that the gardener finds most use for his cutting bench. When the
temperature is kept uniformly at the right point, the rapidity and
certainty with which the cuttings root is astonishing. The soft
wooded plants will root in about six da^^s and the harder ones in
ten or twelve, with a ver}'' small percentage of failures.

In order to prevent fluctuations in the temperature of the air by
the bright sunUght in fine days in spring, it is usual to construct
the cutting bench upon the northern side of the greenhouse, with a
pai'tition or shade to cut oflTthe direct light of the sun, which would
defeat our purpose b}' wilting the tops of the cuttings before they
are rooted ; such precautions in avoiding the sunlight are not
needed, however, in starting seeds, as young seedling plants have
roots enough to endure the heat, if well watered and aired.

Wherever bottom heat is used the evaporation from the surface
of the bed is rapid, and frequent watering is necessary, especially
in clear and wind}' weather. This should be attended to at least
once a day.

When plants are hard}', or well established in their roots, and
when the temperature of the bed in which the roots grow, and the
air above it, are easil}' kept at a proper temperature for the require-
ments of the plants to be grown, there will be no advantage gained
b}' bottom heat ; but on the contrary it will be found to foster a
tender, rapid growth, and the bed will need so much care as regards
watering and regulating the temperature, that it is best to do
without it whenever practicable.

The methods in vise for obtaining and applying bottom heat, may
be conveniently divided into two classes, depending upon the source
of heat, whether from fermenting animal and vegetable refuse, or
from fire.

Where fermenting material is chosen it is most common to make
use of horse dung, either alone, or mixed with forest leaves, refuse
hops from the brewery, or tan bark from the tan yard. Horse
dung, fresh from the stable, is the best material known, and where

28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

obtainable in guflicient quantity is generally used in preference to
any other material ; when it is very straw}- it will be improved for
heating purposes by an admixture of nearly an equal bulk of wet
forest leaves, or of waste hops fresh from the brewery ; but when
the straw litter is not in excess, the manure just as it comes from
the stalile is in the best order for a hot-bed. It should be carted
from the stable before it has had time to become heated to excess,
and piled in a heap of several cords upon the farm, and when the
fermentation has fairly commenced, but has not continued over two
days, the manure will be in prime order for use.

As manure heat is almost exclusivel}' used for working hot-beds,
the method adopted by the best gardeners deserves description.

The bed is prepared in the fall, in a sheltered and well drained
situation. The south or southeast side of a high fence is the best
place ; the laud is prepared by enriching with manure and repeated
plowing to work it fine. In November the planks are put down,
the back plank being placed three feet from the fence. It should be
twelve inches wide, and the front one ten inches wide ; the distance
between the planks should be six feet, outside measure, so as to be
covered by three by six feet sashes. The front plank should be
five inches lower at its upper edge than the rear plank, so as to
give five inches pitch to the glass ; the planks should be nearly
level as to the length of the bed, as, when one end is higher than
the other, the high end always works warmer than the other.
The planks are held in place by stakes made of pickets four
inches wide and one inch thick, sharpened, and driven into the
ground by the help of an iron bar and maul, and nailed to the
outside of the planks with tenpenny nails. The planks will need
to be braced apart at intervals of one or two rods to keep them
at the proper distance asunder, so that the sashes may fit closely.

The bed thus prepared is covered over with leaves, eel-grass, or
other coarse litter to a sufficient depth to keep out frost ; it can be
uncovered and put in use at any time during the winter when
needed.

It must be prepared a few days before wanted for use in order to
get the manure working well and the bed warm. The preparation
is done thus : the loam is excavated for six feet in length at one
end of the bed until the pit is twent}' to thirty inches deep below
the top of the planks, the depth being regulated by the depth of
manure and loam required, which varies with the severity of the

BOTTOM HEAT ITS BENEFITS AND METHODS. 29

season and the nature of the plants for which the bed is intended.
The loam taken from the first six feet in length of the bed is to be
carted to the other end to be used in covering the manure on the
last six feet. Plot manure from the heap should now be carted into
the pit and carefully spread and tramped down ; the depth required
will vary from six or" eight inches in spring to ten or twelve inches
in winter. The loam from the next six feet in the length of the
bed should be immediatel}' thrown on to the hot manure, and sashes
placed over it, and the excavation thus made filled with manure
as before, and the process repeated until the bed is completed.
The depth of loam thrown over the manure will vary with the work
required, hardy plants, such as lettuce and radishes, requiring
eight or ten inches for thrift}' growth ; while the depth needed for
tomatoes, cucumbers, and other tender plants will be only six inches ;
the less the depth of loam used the more the heat of the manure
is felt by the plants, and the more care will be required to water
sufflcientl}^ often.

Where a considerable depth of manure is used with a light cov-
ering of loam, in preparing for tropical plants, the heat for the
first few days is apt to be excessive, and care will be needed in
airing the bed both day and night, to prevent destruction of the
plants ; the excess of heat generally passes off after the first week.

A well made hot-bed will retain considerable heat for six or eight
weeks from the time it is started. The heat gradually subsides
from the time of beginning, and this is not objectionable in the
spring, when the weather is constantly growing warmer, and the
bottom heat is less and less needed.

In the severe weather of winter, however, the hot-bed is rather
difficult to manage, and unless fully twelve inches of manure is
used the heat will sometimes become exhausted before warm weather
comes and cause trouble. In fact a great deal of skill and care
is required to run hot-beds sucessfully in winter.

When a constant temperature of 60° to 70° degrees of bottom
heat is required in a greenhouse for a considerable time, the use of
fire heat will be found much more convenient and satisfactory.

The smoke flue is the simplest form of heating apparatus, but is
open to objection from the high temperature of the parts near the
fire as compared with the more remote parts, and where large
greenhouses are required, the heating is done much more satisfac-
toril}' by hot water pipes. Another objection to the flue is the risk
of fire from the hot brickwork near the furnace.

30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

"Where bottom heat is to be obtained by fire it will be needful to
box the flue or heating pipes, and the bed of earth or sand over
the boxing is best supported by slate stones, which are both durable
and good conductors of heat. The boxing should be provided
with ventilators to be left open in severe weather when there is risk
of freezing the house.

- When it is desired to root a few tender cuttings, or to start trop-
ical seeds in a greenhouse which is kept cool for the healthy growth
of hard}' plants, it can be easil}^ accomplished b}' parting off a
portion of the house with curtains of cotton cloth, so as to avoid
airing the warm bed too freely when the rest of the house requires
air. The bed can be kept warm readily by placing under it eight
inches of hot manure as described for a hot-bed.

This plan is often pursued by those gardeners who raise lettuce
and cucumbers in greenhouses ; it is desirable to start the cucumber
seed while the lettuce is growing, so as to have good cucumber
plants by the time the lettuce is cleared away ; the different habits
of the lettuce and cucumber, one of which is impatient of heat,
and the other of cold, render it difficult to accomplish the feat of
making them thrive together without some such contrivance as
that described above.

Bottom heat is not recommended for forcing lettuce in green-
houses as was the practice some years ago, experience having
proved that it grows better without it.

Discussion.

F. L. Harris said that all gardeners are advocates of bottom
heat, but that we lose a great deal by using cold water for water-
ing. He would have the water twent}' degrees warmer than the
atmosphere. Instead of using it at 38° or 40°, the usual tempera-
ture of cisterns, he would have it from 70° to 80°. Mr. Harris
pointed to a remarkabl}' fine plant of Coelogyne cristata exhibited
bj' him, and said that he would on no account use water of the
temperature of an ordinary cistern to water it. He regarded this
point as of the highest importance.

John C. Hovey thought every cultivator should understand the
rule that in watering any plant the water should be of the tempera-
ture of the natural habitat of that plant.

Mr. Philbrick said that the point is well understood by gardeners.

BOTTOM HEAT ITS BENEFITS AND METHC'DS. 31

He draws water from the heating pipes, choosing a time when the
temperature is from fifteen to twent}' degrees above that of the
atmosphere. He had known beds worth hundreds of dollars spoiled
by the use of cold water.

H. Weld Fuller spoke of a simple apparatus which he uses in the
greenhouse at Woodlawn Cemetery to take the chill from the water
in an elevated cistern. It consists of a coil of annealed copper
pipe, placed around the smoke funnel of a Hitchings boiler, out-
side and at its base, there connecting with a half-inch lead pipe
which leads down from the bottom of the tank, while the upper end
of the coil is connected with a lead pipe extending into the higher
portion of the water in the tank, and there by a movable coupling,
carrying the heated water to a float with a downward finger-vent
which is always under the surface and rises and falls with the water
in the cistern to keep up the greatest circulation, the principle being
the same as that which keeps up the hot water circulation in our
kitchen ranges. In this case, nine coils of half-inch pipe, rising
slightly at each turn, accomplished the heating perfectl}-, the whole
costing less than eight dollars.

James Cruickshanks corroborated what Mr. Ilari'is had said.
He had been astonished where water was drawn directly from a
faucet, that plants should succeed as well as they do. He recom-
mended a tank of soapstone, in which the water will, in twelve
hours, acquire the temperature of the house.

W. C. Strong said that while all would agree to the principle
laid down by Mr. Harris, there is a limit to its application. He
had visited a successful cultivator of roses, who cut a full ci'op at
Christmas and Easter, from plants the roots of which were in the
outside ground where they got all the rain. The case is the same
also with forced grapes. He believed that man}' plants are not as
sensitive as might be inferred from what had been said, but have
suflBcient constitution to endure showering with cool water and are
refreshed by it. He did not include among these, however, the
delicate plants cultivated by Mr. Harris, but the majority of plants
generally cultivated, for which he thought warm water unnecessary.

Mr. Hovey asked if the borders for forced grape vines were not
generall}' covered, and referred to the production of three crops in
two years by M. H. Simpson, who covered his borders thickly
with wool waste, over which boards were placed to shed the rain.
The covering was put on in Jul}', when the temperature of the soil
was hio-hest.

32 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Strong said that with the temperature of soil at about 42°,
grapes could be forced without covering the border. He had
ripened a ton in May, with only a covering of manure. We can
stimulate the growth of plants by using warm water.

Marshall P.' Wilder was gratified with the remarks of the last
speaker. He had, himself, no roses in his greenhouse, except
those planted on the outside, and as he covered the border only a
few inches in depth it must frequently' be frozen, and a portion of
the roots must be frozen. The old rule was that water should be
kept in tanks until it acquired the temperature of the atmosphere
before watering, and he disapproved of pumping up cold water and
immediatelj' using it indiscriminately on all plants. He was pleased
with the remarks of the essa3ist in regard to flues ; he had used no
other method of heating his cutting beds, except experimentall}'.

N. B. White asked. Will plants thrive in frozen earth? Are they
not conductors of heat, and do they not thaw the soil? It seemed
impossible to him that a plant could grow in frozen soil.

M. H. Merriam came in feeling much interest in the subject of
the discussion, and wanting to know the principles which govern the
application of bottom heat ; but while the essayist and others had
given us many interesting facts, they had not given us the princi-
ples which underlie those facts, and which the speaker thought
highly important that we should understand. The ripened wood of
roses is not treated the same as soft wood, and what we lack is a
knowledge of the philosophy which controls propagation by cut-
tings of different degrees of maturit}', and accounts for this differ-
ence in treatment. If the novice attempts to learn from books, he
will find that they disagree ; some say that the temperature of
water is of little consequence, while others consider it of great im-
portance. The speaker believed in the individuality- of ever}' plant.
The conditions under which a plant grows naturall}^ are to be con-
sidered. Nature propagates mainly through seed, while propaga-
tion by cuttings is an artificial method, and we must inquire into
the conditions under which it is best effected, and apply our best
resources to bring about these conditions. He had had experience
as an amateur in propagation b^' cuttings, and had been flatteringly
successful. His propagating bed was on a bench with hot water
pipes underneath, closely enclosed ; the bed was also enclosed
above, and had ventilators to control the admission of air above
and below. Out of one thousand cuttings of Bon Silene rose he

GARDEN IRRIGATION ITS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS. 33

had potted seven hundred, and had rooted five hundred caruations
with no faihires to speak of.

Mr. Philbriek thought that the last speaker miglit fairly claim to
understand the theory of propagating by cuttings, and the use ot
bottom heat. For tender seeds, such as cucumbers, the earth
should be kept at a temperature of about 70° ; for lettuce at about
50°, and for radishes at a little less. A cutting is a plant in an
unmatured state, and we want to stimulate the production of roots
before leaves ; after that is effected it will grow anywhere. If the
leaves are not removed when the cutting is made, the plants will go
before j'ou know it.

Mr. Merriam understood that the object of bottom heat was to
furnish a stimulus to the cutting ; but the question is, how much to
each plant, and to the same plant or cutting in different conditions
of maturity-, for it will require different treatment under different
circumstances, i. e., of maturity. Ripened wood, it is generally
thought, will not bear as much bottom heat as soft wood. For green
cuttings of roses a bottom heat of 50°, and overhead 45°, is right.

Ml-. Strong, as Chairman of the Committee on Discussion, an-
nounced that next week Mr. Philbriek would read a paper on
" Irriaation."

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, Januar}- 26, 1878.

A meeting for discussion was holden at 11 o'clock. President
Gray in the cliair.

The following essa}', for which a gratuity was awarded by the
Committee, was read by the author, William D. Philbriek :

Garden Irrigation — Its Advantages and Limits.

The watering of gardens has been practised from the most
ancient times of which we have any authentic record, to the present
day ; in fact, the beginning of irrigation dates back much earlier
than authentic history. It was practised by the ancient Egyptians
long before Herodotus described their wonderful water-works, and
Damascus, the oldest city of the world, owes the very existence of
5

34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

its gardens and the subsistence of its popnlation to the practice of
irrigation. In this countr}', too, the first Spanisli invaders of
Mexico and Peru found a ver}^ elaborate sj'stem of aqueducts in use
by the Aztecs, which has since fallen into decay in consequence of
the neglect of the miserably indolent people who have now posses-
sion of those countries.

It is not, however, the purpose of this paper to discuss the in-
teresting history of irrigation, or to show, as might be done, that its
practice is one of the best signs of enlightened industry and civi-
lization ; but to call attention to some of the practical questions
connected with it in New England today.

These questions naturally present themselves in the following
order, viz. :

1st. The amount of water required for successful irrigation.

2d. The sources of supply.

3d. The means of application, and of distribution of the water
over the land.

4th. The advantages and limits of irrigation.

1st. The Amount of Water Required. The amount of water
needed b}^ vegetation during the growing season, for a full crop of
most kinds of useful or ornamental garden products, is variously
estimated by different authorities ; the requirements themselves are
ver}' different under different circumstances ; a loose, sandy soil
will require much more water to irrigate it than a retentive clay or
a peaty intervale ; and some kinds of vegetables, like celery and
cauliflowers, require much water ; while man}^ others, like corn,
beans, and the grains, will endure considerable drought without in-
jmy. Much also depends on the temperature of the air, and the
velocity of the wind, as well as on the more evident and important
considerations of rainfall and atmospheric humidit}'.

In general, however, it may be assumed that, in the warm, grow-
ing months of May, June, July, August, and September, most
vegetation requires an inch in depth over the entire surface of the
land every five days. This is, of course, only an average amount ;
sometimes less than half this amount will be needed, and some-
times much more.

This amount estimated as needed by our gardens, would be
equivalent to six inches per month of rainfall ; if we compare this
amount with the actual rainfall, we shall arrive at an idea of what
is to be supplied artificially'.

GARDEN IRRIGATION ITS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS. 35

The rainfall at Boston, as observed by the Superintendent of
Sewers, for the past six years, for the five growing months above
named, varies from a maximum of 10^ inches in the month of
August, 1872, to a minimum of 0.65 inch in June, 1873. During
these six 3'ears there was not a single year when we did not suffer
more or less from drought during some portion of the summer.
Twenty-one of the thirty months in question had less rainfall than
six inches per month, and the average of these twent3'-one months
was but 3.02 inches per month, or only about half what was
needed for a full crop of garden products. Some of the protracted
seasons of drought were almost entirely rainless for six weeks,
during which the weather was excessively hot and wind}', and vege-
tation suffered extremely in consequence.

2d. The Sources of Supply. Many gardens are so situated as to
be able to draw upon the public water-works for a supply. The
gardeners of Arlington and Winchester, and many other towns,
have found this a very convenient and profitable method of water-
ing their gardens, and in general where the water rates are not ex-
cessivel}^ high, and where the gardener has not at hand a cheap,
natural source of water, the public works will be found both con-
venient and reliable. There are, however, many farms and gardens
beyond the reach of the public water- works, where private works
might profitably be erected for iirigation. As above noticed, how-
ever, the amount of water required for any satisfactory- result is
very large, and before embarking in an}' enterprise of this kind, it
would be best to make sure that the source can be depended upon
for a sufficient supply- in the driest seasons; for it is precisel}^ at
such times that most water is needed.

Springs and wells are entirely inadequate to furnish water for
anything more than a small patch of garden. The only sources to
be depended upon for any considerable amount of irrigation, will be
found in rivers, lakes, and ponds. There are few gardens so favor-
ably situated that the water can be drawn b}^ canals or ditches
directly from some pond or stream to irrigate the surface. Where
this can be done, it is by far the cheapest method, and it is in this
way that the extensive irrigating works of Lombardy, Spain,
France, California, and Colorado are constructed.

Where this system is adopted, considerable expense will be re-
quired to grade the land into beds or levels, so as to distribute the
water easily and evenly ; but once done, the water is afterwards

36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

applied at a veiy trifling cost, — so cheaply that it is used for all
farm crops in Lorabardy and the south of France.

In most gardens, however, the supply of water, if any can be
found within reach, will be at a level too low to reach the land
without pumping, and a few suggestions will here be in order as to
the best methods of pumping, which brings us to the next division
of the subject.

3d. The Means of Ajij^lication aiid Distribution over the Land. It
will be seen at once b}- any practical person that it would be futile to
think of distributing 27,000 gallons of water, or 108 tons to every
acre, by means of watering carts. Not onl^' would much time be
required, but the land would be badly beaten down by the cart
wheels, which would also injure the growing crops. To distribute
the water by tiles, laid a foot below the surface, to escape the plow,
would be ineffectual, only wetting the subsoil and wasting much
water, which would soak into the subsoil or drains.

The only method of distributing water much used in gardens
where pumping is practised, is the system of iron pipes laid under-
ground, with h3-drants distant two hundred feet asunder, from which
the water is distributed by one hundred feet of India rubber hose.
This is also the plan adopted b^^ the gardeners who make use of the
public water supply.

In this method of applying the water, it is not necessar}^ to grade
the land with reference to running the water in niearl}- level ditches,
as must be done where the open ditch system is used. Where the
land is undulating, as is mostly the case with our garden land, it
will be desirable to carry the lines of pipe along the high ridges
and headlands as much as possible, so as to enable the gardener
to let the water run down the grade of the land between the rows
of the crops to be watered. This will be found more expeditious
and less laborious than carr^'ing the hose down the rows and sprink-
ling the whole surface from the nozzle of the hose ; the latter
method, however, is sometimes used where the land is very uneven,
and where furrows for running the water cannot convenientl}' be
made between the thickly planted rows of garden crops.

Where the water has to be pumped and distributed by hose and
sprinkler, it will be found good economy to use a powerful pump,
that will give a head of at least thirty feet, and to use for distri-
bution, pipes of not less than one and a half inches diameter, pro-
vided, of course, that an}' consideralile area — an acre or more — is to

GARDEN lERIGATION ITS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS. 37

be watered. Thus, for example, we will suppose that it is required
to water five acres of land, and that we have near by a never-
failing pond or river ; we can locate a steam pump near the river,
and while at work watering we load the safety valve upon the
delivering water pipe at fifteen pounds per square inch, which cor-
responds to a head of about thirty feet of water. We have three
hundred feet of iron pipe, two inches in diameter, and one hundred
feet of India rubber hose, one and a half inches in diameter, for
delivery of the water ; this apparatus would be capable of deliver-
ing forty-five gallons per minute, or twentj'-seven thousand gallons
per day of ten hours ; enough for the thorough wetting of one
acre per day, or every acre of the five once in five daj^s ; by run-
ning nights, ten acres could be watered with this apparatus.

Where it is only desirable to water a limited area of land — less
than an acre — the windmill furnishes a cheaper source of power than
the steam pump. To make it available, however, large storage of
water must be provided at a high level, so as to admit of keeping
the mill at work during stormy weather and storing the water until
needed. A windmill for pumping, costing, with pump and tank,
about $500, will furnish water enough for the irrigation of one or
two acres of land, provided storage can be supplied at a high level
for 200,000 gallons of water. To provide this storage might cost
as much as to provide steam pumps ; and any decision with regard
to details of this kind, would depend upon the varying circum-
stances of each particular case. It is onl}' proper here to call
attention to the fact that where elevated reservoirs can be easilj'
made, and the amount of water needed is not over 10,000 gallons
daily, the windmill is, without doubt, cheaper power than steam ;
when the amount of work to be done is much larger, steam is in
general to be preferred.

4th. Tlie Advantages and Lbnits of Garden Irrigation. This
question resolves itself into the practical one of whether it will
pay to irrigate gardens ; of course gentlemen who have almost
unlimited funds to spend upon their pleasure grounds, understand
the advantages of irrigation as a garden luxury, and will have water
at any cost ; it is here proposed only to consider briefly how far a
practical gardener, who makes gardening his source of living, can
afford to irrigate. This will depend first on the cost of water.

Water is supplied by the public works in some of our cities at
25 cents per thousand gallons. This is a rather high rate ; at this

38 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

price it would cost to apply 27,000 gallons to an acre $6.75 for the
water and about $3 for the labor, — say $10 per acre for each water-
ing ; and as each acre would generall}' need at least ten or twelve
such waterings in a season, water applied in this way in sufficient
quantity would cost from $100 to $125 per acre. There are some
crops raised upon our market gardens which would warrant an out-
lay like this, but they are few. Early cucumbers, lettuce, celer^^,
and cauliflowers may be mentioned as examples. These crops
frequently sell for $1,000 per acre, and are sure to sell at the high-
est prices in time of drought, so that it is safe to say that where
water is to be had at this price, the gardener would be warranted
in appl3'ing it to his hot-beds and greenhouses, and to his most val-
uable field crops, in time of drought. This, however, is a high
price to pay for water. It could be pumped and distributed b}^
windmills or b}' steam pumps at about half this cost in very many
favored locations, and then the use of it would be extended to
crops of less value. The application of water to gardens has not,
however, been practised in this neighborhood long enough to enable
one to estimate ver}' accurately where it would pa}' and where it
would not ; but it is well worth careful stud}' by those who raise
valuable crops of vegetables and small fruits.

Those lands which are naturally so situated as to be com-
manded by a good natural suppl}' of water at such level as to be
easily applied by a sj'stem of canals and ditches, are rarel}^ to be
found in those highly cultivated regions where gardening is prac-
tised ; the cost of water under such circumstances is reduced to a
minimum, and by grading the land lor the purpose of distribution
without pipes, the 3'early cost for water has been reduced, in some
cases, as low as from one dollar to three dollars per acre per year.
Under such circumstances and in the dr}' climates of many parts
of the world, irrigation is universall}' applicable, and even essential,
to the growth of grass, grain, and all kinds of vegetables. This
is, however, not garden irrigation and can receive here only passing
notice.

A very important consideration, wherever irrigation is practised,
is the drainage of the land. Wherever this is not naturally perfect,
it must be made so artificiall}^ before irrigation can be safely prac-
tised, otherwise if a heavy fall of rain should occur just after an
artificial a^jplieation of water the crops might suffer seriously from
beinii too wet.

garden irrigation its advantages and limits. 39

Discussion.

Benjamin P. Ware said that the subject of the essay was one of
great interest to him. He tried an experiment in irrigation last
summer, which though not successful in ever}^ respect, was instruc-
tive, as even failures are. He has on the sea-shore a large house
for summer boarders, accommodating from one hundred to one
hundred and twent\'-five persons, and the question of the disposal
of the sewage is a serious one, both from a sanitary and an agri-
cultural point of view. He built a cesspool three feet deep, four
feet wide, and five or six feet long, into which all the waste water
from the kitchen, chambers, and laundry was discharged by a cement
pipe of the Bloomingdale pattern. From this a three inch pipe led
to the vegetable garden, running along the side of the garden, and
opening into lines of drain tiles laid across the garden at intervals
of ten feet. It was presumed that through the joints between the
tiles the sewage would moisten the soil above, and it was hoped to
ascertain the value of sewage as a fertilizer. The apparatus worked
very well ; if at an}' opening the flow was too great it was checked
by placing a piece of tin over it. The crop was a variety of family
vegetables, but Mr. Ware did not find their growth any better
along the lines of tiles than elsewhere, and was led to question the
value of sewage. The impurities were mostly absorbed by the soil.
In the course of the season a large quantity of grease was depos-
ited from the sewage, the cesspool being nearly filled, and the
openings in the drain tiles where the water soaked out also became
choked with grease. He proposed to take up the drain tiles and
continue the pipe to a slope of grass ground, and let the sewage
flow upon the surface. He had great hopes that in this way it
would prove beiieficial.

Mr. Ware described a method, which he had practised, of mak-
ing a pipe, for conducting water or sewage, ver}- cheaply. He pro-
vides a pole ten feet long, three and a half inches in diameter at
one end and three inches at the other. The material of the pipe is
one part cement, and two parts coarse sand or fine gravel. After
digging a trench to the required depth, cement is placed in the
bottom to the length of the pole, and on this the pole is laid and
covered two inches thick with the cement ; in from five to eight
minutes the pole should be twisted round, and a few minutes later,
after the cement has set, it should be withdrawn, and another length
of pipe made. With good cement it takes fifteen or twenty minutes

40 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to make one length, and two men can lay one hundi'ed and fifty
feet or more a day, at a cost of three dollars. One of these pipes
laid twenty-five years ago is now a solid stone.

Mr. Philbrick inquired whether Mr. Ware's vegetable garden was
well drained.

Mr. Ware replied that it was not drained artificially, hut the soil
was of such a character as not to require it.

Marshall P. Wilder said that he had been extremely interested
in what Mr. Ware had said, and spoke of the method of irrigation
in use at Salt Lake City by open channels, into which the water is
admitted, or from which it is stopped, by a shingle. The effect of
water on the surface is different from that of water under the sur-
face. Air and water are the two great promoters of vegetation.
The grease which accumulates from sewage is an absolute injury to
vegetation .

C. M. Atkinson was doubtful of the advantages, for drainage,
of the pipe described by Mr. Ware, porosity and joints being
needed in drain pipe, but it would make an excellent conductor.
He had put down five hundred miles of drain pipes, and this winter
had a piece of retentive soil to drain, in which he dug trenches and
laid board drains in the form of the letter A, with a board bottom.
When the boards have rotted they will leave the drain perfect,
unless tree roots fill it. He thought that Mr. Ware had no right to
expect his sewage to benefit his vegetable garden, for water will
run down, and beheved it would produce a much better effect on
the grass.

Mr. Ware said that the pipe which he described was not intended
for drainage, but for conducting water for irrigation— from a pond,
for instance. It might be made to answer for drainage, but would
not be as good as ordinary drain tile.

John B. Moore said that irrigation was very important where a
proper supply of water could be obtained. He had studied this
subject carefully, and if there was anything that he was proud of,
it was his success in irrigation and drainage. He was not surprised
at Mr. Ware's failure ; the water would not go ten feet from the
outlet before soaking into the ground. He thought it would be
better to apply sewage on the surface, but if it will not make
vegetables grow how will it make grass? Tiie natural way of
watering is by rain, and no one has yet improved on it. He had
used water for artificial irrigation foi- two or three years, and by

GARDEN IRRIGATION ITS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS. 41

means of it had made light, sand}- loam productive, and succeeded
in raising pears where he supposed it was impossible to grow them.
Now that he has got water he needs manure. It is injurious to
apply water in large quantities without drainage. The summer
before last his sweet peas stopped blooming in July, and he let so
much water on to the ground that when he attempted to walk on it
he sank eight inches. The peas began to bloom again and con-
tinued until frost. He did the same last year, but they must have
plenty of manure as well as water. He did not think it would pay
to use water at the rate of twenty-five cents for a thousand gallons.
He gets his supply from the Concord water-works, which have a
hundred feet head. The Water Board can furnish water at low
rates, and are read}' to make liberal terms with gardeners. He did
not believe it would pa}- to use water through a meter. No crop
takes the moisture out of the soil more quickly than strawberries,
and for these and other crops which soon suffer for want of water
he lets the water run down the rows all night from half a dozen
large pipes.

Mr. Wilder said that the secret how Mr. Moore produced his
large sti-awberries had now come out, and that Mr. Moore did not
sell his brains with his plants.

N. B. White had used sink drainage without perceiving any good
results from it, and would rather have pure water than greasy
matter from a cesspool, unless enough alkali were added to it to
cut the grease.

James Cruickslianks spoke of the method of disposing of sewage
in Edinburgh, where it is collected in a tank with a gate made so
as to lift and let out the contents of the tank on mowing land. In
this way five or six heavy crops were raised in one season.

President Gray said that the best crop of grapes he had ever
seen was from vines watered with soap suds.

Mr. Atkinson said that the alkali used in making soap disin-
tegrates the grease so that it would have a good effect on vegeta-
tion. When he succeeded Mr. Oldaker as gardener, he applied all
the wood and coal ashes made in the house to the garden. This
■ contained little bits of fat which were neutralized by the alkali of
the ashes, and he thought that when thus neutralized the more of
animal matter there was in manure the better.

Mr. Moore asked if the grease could properly be called grease
after being changed by mixture of alkali.
6

42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr, Cruickshanks said that twice within ten 3'ears his sink drains
had been so filled up with grease that he had been obliged to open
and clean them.

Leander Wetherell remarked, in reference to the allnsion that had
been made to grease or oily matter as a fertilizer, that Prof. Stock-
bridge quoted William Cuthbert Johnson on this subject at the
Winter Meeting of the Connecticut State Board of Agriculture, as
follows: "He highly recommended for growing turnips, train-oil,
and whale-blubber as manures. He mixed each with loam and then
mixed ground bones with loam and each of the former two produced
double the crop of turnips that the latter (the ground bone) did."
Prof. Johnson of New Haven said, referring to the above quotation
from Mr. Johnson of London, that it was the animal matter and
not the oil that acted as a manure on the turnip crop. Reference
having been made to the flesh of dead horses as a manure, Mr.
Wetherell remarked that it did not act as manure or serve as food
for plants until after putrefaction had taken place. He added that
the same is true of blood. He referred to irrigation as introduced
by Mr. Copeland, in Bridgewater, on quite an extended scale, he
(Mr. Copeland) using iron pipes for conveying water where wanted
for distribution on his garden grounds. He spoke of the beneficial
effects of irrigation of grass land without manure. Light, heat,
air, and water are the great factors of vegetable growth. Neither
grease nor oil is a manure or fertilizer.

W. C. Strong said that the crops in New England cover the
entire year and are as diversified as in any portion of the globe.
He had two ice ponds, one of which was lower than the other, and
this suggested to him the idea of winter irrigation. By letting the
water from the higher to the lower, when the latter was frozen over
he planned to thicken his crop in coldest nights. But he found
that the water did not flow over the whole surface, but sank the ice
in spots, unless carefully- directed. The same mistake was made
in irrigation so that the ground became sodden in one place, while
the rest received no benefit. He thought tha.t a considerable part
of the benefit of irrigation arose from showering the foliage, espe-
cially at night, as in a greenhouse. The coolness is a positive
benefit, and warm water would be injurious to carnations and many
other crops. Distributing evenly is ver}' important.

Mr. Philbrick said that he applied water in the sunshine some-
times, but that in general he did not Uke to. He preferred the

GARDEN IRRIGATION ITS ADVANTAGES AND LIMITS. 43

afternoon. In winter he waters in the morning to avoid mildew.
Ordinary greenhonse plants will stand cold water, but it would be
often fatal to tropical plants or to other plants in a tender state.
He thought that grease injured only by filling the pores of the soil
and preventing the circulation of air. Soap is different ; the alkali
possesses fertilizing properties. The benefit from dead horses
arises not from the grease, but from the other animal matter.

E. P. Richardson had found a hose perforated with holes an
eighth of an inch in diameter, and about three or four inches apart,
ver}' convenient for applj'ing water. It can be led any where, in a
straight or crooked line, and under plants which are injured by
watering on the leaves in bright sun. His ground is sloping, and
the water delivered from these small holes, will run down hill with-
out washing. Such a hose may be left for hours without attention.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, February 2, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock.
President Gra}^ in the chair.

The following named persons, having been recommended by the
Executive Committee, were, on ballot, duly elected members of the
Society :

John C. Phillips, Jr., of Boston.
Hamilton Stevenson, of Woburn.

C. H. B. Breck, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements,
stated that his annual report for 1877 was not ready, and on motion
of Herve}^ Davis it was voted that it be published without being
submitted to the Societ}'.

The President read a communication from Hon. William G. Le
Due, United States Commissioner of Agriculture, requesting models
of fruits, etc., for the Paris Exposition. On motion of John C.
Hovey the communication was referred to the Fruit Committee.

The President read a communication from Jonathan Periam,
Secretary of the National Agricultural Congress, requesting the

44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Societ}^ to send delegates to the meeting of that body at Washing-
ton, on the third Tuesday in February.

Voted, That it is inexpedient to send delegates.

The President also announced a letter from Charles Pease, of
East Rockport, Ohio, acknowledging the receipt of the resolutions
passed by the Society in memory of his father-in-law, the late Pro-
fessor Kirtland.

Adjourned to Saturday, March 2.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

This was opened li}^ the following essa}^ b}^ William H. White,
of Westborough, for which a gratuity was awarded by the Com-
mittee on Publication and Discussion, and which was read by
E. W. Wood :

The Culture and Varieties of Roses.

Botanists enumerate some eighty or more species of the rose,
while florists give us an almost innumerable number of varieties, of
which but few are adapted for the general cultivator in any given
soil and latitude. To enumerate the species and varieties does not
come within the province of this essay, but it may be well to state
a few of the leading characteristics of what I consider a fine rose,
whatever the species or variety. Excepting the Moss rose, all
varieties should possess foliage of a bright shining green, which
color, to be perfect, needs to be permanent, although not likely to
be found in man}' varieties, ni}' preference being for a sort of ever-
green foliage. However size, form, etc., may vaiy in different
varieties, uniformity in the same variety is desirable. A tine rose
is one which is rich and beautiful in all its stages of bud and
blossom, up to, and previous to wide and full expansion. Single
and double flowers, while enclosed within their calyxes, are alike
beautiful up to a point where they expand to hide the calyx ; but
the double possess that characteristic which makes them magnificent
when full blown, while the single are best shown previous to full
expansion. Whatever difference there may be otherwise, the petals
of all roses should be thick, broad, and smooth at the edges. The
bud and blossom should possess fragrance, and the higher that fra-
grance the more valuable the variety. The flower should be double

THE CULTURE AND VARIETIES OF ROSES. 45

to the centre, high on the crown, round in outline, with regularly
disposed petals. The peculiar characteristics of an}" and all varie-
ties should be strongh' and fully developed in each flower.

Roses are cultivated in the open air, in the house, conservatory,
etc., all of which naturally come within the province of an essay on
the culture of roses ; but that we may embrace the whole within
circumscribed limits we must necessarily touch but briefly on minor
details.

Soil. The proper soil for the rose is a strong, rich, friable loam,
well drained naturally or artificially, neither too moist nor too dr}',
but with such a degree of moisture that' the plants will never suffer
from want or excess. But we are commonly restricted to " Hobson's
choice," and provided with soil, such as we are obliged to use,
alread}' made. Such being the case we must suppl}' any deficieuc}^
to the best of our ability. By aid of the present lights of
science, and a little labor, we are enabled to largely modif}- and
ameliorate almost an}- soil, often changing its entire character, and
remedying defects in climate, etc. A fine rose cannot be grown in
uncongenial soil, therefore it is idle to expect it. If the soil is poor
or ilh" adapted, the blossoms will be but imperfect, perhaps radi-
call}- different from those grown in soil well adapted to bring out
its strong points. Thorough drainage is essential, and where this
is had there is little danger of having the soil too rich ; and even
when it may be thought suflSiciently rich, the addition of a little well
decomposed manure or compost will be advantageous. There is no
fertilizer better adapted for the rose than decayed turf from an old
pasture — the older the pasture the better — mixed with old cow
manure ; and especially is this invaluable in pot culture, where the
cow dung should be in excess of that needed in out-door culture.
I have grown and blossomed roses in clear cow dung, which has lain
out and was gathered from pastures, and pulverized when dry, but
I think a portion of soil, to give cohesiveness, is better. Recollect
that the best of soil and careful attention is the price of successful
rose culture, and that the soil is just what we have the will to make
it, when it is otherwise than an appropriate one for the rose.

Manures for the Rose. Roses are high livers and like food in
plenty ; a meagre diet will not answer the demands of a fine rose.
Of all animal manures that from the cow seems to be the best
adapted to the w^ants of the rose, but the manure, from whatever
animal it may be, should be well rotted or decomposed, and be well

46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

incorporated in the soil. Ttiin turf, from an old pasture, well
decayed and mixed with the manure, several times turned, is one
of the best of rose fertilizers ; another good one is composed of one
part Peruvian guano, three of decayed turf and six of cow manure,
all well mixed and made fine. The turf should be from some rich
old pasture, just thick enough to embrace the main part of the grass
roots. Pig dung, soot, and wood ashes, are each and all good,
when composted or applied as top-dressing and well worked into
the soil. All manures should be administered in allopathic, instead
of homoeopathic doses. Soapsuds are excellent fertilizers and
renovators, applied to root and branch. Solutions of guano and
other manures in water are excellent, and are generall}' best applied
at night or just before rain. If applied to the roots at any other
time the top soil should be removed, making a sort of basin around
the stem, the liquid poured in and the soil returned ; in this wa}' no
crust forms on the surface.

Planting the Rose. Tender and half-hardy roses, when planted
in the open ground, should be planted only in spring ; the hardy
sorts may be planted either in spring or fall, although I prefer
spring planting. It should always be early spring or while they
are dormant when the plants are set. Tea-scented and other
tender sorts should not be planted out-doors until the danger ot
spring fi'osts is past. To plant a rose properly the roots require
the first attention ; every bruised, ragged, or torn root should be
cut off smoothly above the wound ; tap or downward growing
roots should be shortened to discourage downward growing : cut
back the top at least one half, if not alread}' done, in order to
keep the balance. Have the holes dug sufficiently large to receive
the roots when full}- spread ; loosen up the ground in the bottom,
and mix in several inches of rich surface soil for the rose to stand
in and over. Place the plant in the centre of the hole, so that its
collar will stand even with the level surface of the ground, unless
it be a budded or grafted one, when it should be set deeper : then
fill in the rich soil so that every root and branchlet of root shall
be closely embedded therein ; the soil should come in close con-
tact with every portion of the root, for on this depends the success
of planting. Moderate firming of the soil, only sufficient to hold
the plant firmly, is all that is necessary, when the soil is in con-
tact with the whole root. Unless the plant is of the dwarf sort,
a stake should be firmly set and the plant tied to it. The mode

THE CULTURE AND VARIETIES OF ROSES. 47

of planting, whether singly, in groups, or in beds, must be
governed by the circumstances of the individual planter, but does
not in any way affect the manner of setting in the ground. If
planted in groups the taller growing are best set in the centre,
or in the background, grading downwards to the outside ; if in
rows they should be at proper distances, so that each shall form a
specific object in itself, as well as a portion of the row. Planted
singly on the lawn they form beautiful objects, and ought to be
each distinct from the other, blooming at different periods ; but
where set in clumps or beds they make a greater show to blossom
at the same time. The situation for planting roses, especially the
tall growing sorts, should be one somewhat sheltered from strong-
winds, and the trellises or supports should be set out before
planting, and be firmly fixed in the ground.

Pruning. The pruning of out-door roses is best performed in
March or April, and must be in accordance with the habits and
requirements of the particular variety. While some do best with
only moderate pruning, others require to have one-half or two-thirds
of the last season's growth removed ; but with all pruning a well
shaj)ed top should be kept in view ; this can be attained b}' a com-
bination of cutting and tying to position. The terminal bud at the
cut should be left in the position which will most readily promote
the growth of the desired form ; for instance, if a more spreading
form is desired, cut so as to leave the bud on the under or outer
side ; if a compact or upright head is sought, the reverse course
should be pursued. Strong, healthy wood is always desirable,
therefore in pruning cut out the weaker, reserving the strongest to
make the new growth from. Alwa^'s prune with a definite and
fixed form or object in view. Vary the pruning with the require-
ments of the different varieties, and also for the positions thej^ are
to occupy, whether as standards, over pillars, flat trellises, walls,
etc. If 3"0u desire quantity', regardless of quality in bloom, cut
and disbud sparingl3' ; but if quality is the first object, cut out all
weak wood, and then cut away all wood of last year's growth down
to one, or at most two eyes, and then you ma}* go still further and
cut out one-half of what is left. If with judicious priming your
roses do not produce magnificent blossoms you may conclude that
there is something wrong or wanting in the soil, provided the sea-
son is an average one. Perhaps it needs some fertilizer added ;
rich loam or decayed turf mixed with its bulk of rotted dung, is

48 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

better than clear manure and should be well worked into the soil
around the roots ; work it in in a circle equal to the circumference
of the full spreading top.

Budded roses sometimes send out suckers or shoots from the
stock ; in planting such, it is well to set them with the junction of
the stock and bud below the surface, so that the budded portion
ma}- form roots of its own, and thus become independent of the
stock. Watch for an}- indication of suckering, and rub out all
buds before growth is made.

Pot Culture. If out-door culture of roses is comparatively simple
and easy the culture in the house, conservatory, etc., is generally
attended with many difficulties. For pot culture we select the tender
or monthly classes, though with care some other sorts maybe grown
with moderate success. I shall confine myself to dwarf and tender
varieties ; and these must be selected with reference to the care, etc.,
which can be accorded them by the cultivator. And first, as to pots —
these should be clean, free from mould, and large enough to correspond
with the size of plant and roots to be grown in them. Potting
soil should be composed of old pasture turf, loam, and rotted cow
manure, in about equal proportions, or woods earth and sharp sand
may be substituted for turf or loam — say one part of sand, to three
or four of woods earth, and the same of manure. Provide good
drainage by placing potsherds or charcoal in the bottom, which
should have a hole in it, and be raised a little from the saucer so
as to allow the air to circulate ; cover the drainage material with
soil ; then place the plant in the centre of the pot with the roots
well spread ; fill in among the roots with fine soil, using every
care to bring the soil in contact with each root and every part
thereof, firming it moderately, after which give a gentle watering.
If this potting is done before it is desirable to place the plants on
the stand, the pots should be plunged out-doors in a somewhat shel-
tered position in sawdust, tan bark, or some like substance, to
prevent drying out, there to remain till desired to place in the
house or conservatory. When the plants are potted they should
be pruned, as a general rule shortening in about one-half. As a
general thing the temperature of our living rooms is subject to too
great variations and the atmosphere is also generally too dry for
successful cultivation of the rose ; to remedy these defects great
care should be used in parlor culture to keep an equable tempera-
ture, with suitable ventilation, and tlien to frequently shower the

THE CULTURE AND VARIETIES OF ROSES. 49

plants. In the conservatory and greenhouse the temperature can
be more equably maintained and we can measurably remedy a
dry atmosphere b\' evaporation of water, but we ma}' fail b}' giv-
ing too much moisture, causing mould, etc. ; good judgment and
much experience are required to keep the temperature and atmos-
phere in just the right state, for doing which no arbitrary rule can
be given.

The soil of the pots must not be allowed to become dr}^ or be
sodden from too much wet ; water well and thoroughly when water
is given ; dig up and stir the soil in the pots occasionally, as far as
maj' be without disturbing the roots. Cut back the plants freely after
blossoming, or, which is better, cut back blossom and stem as soon
as they have matured. The stronger and more stock}' the plant,
the better it is able to support itself and produce fine, healthy
blossoms. Use the greatest care not to allow the plants to become
drawn, but give fertilizers in liquid form freely. Study in all your
culture to render it suitable to the plant and the object in view.

Propagation. There are various methods of propagating and
multiplying roses ; such as by seed, budding and grafting, and
offsets or suckers. For budding and grafting, stocks of some
hardy inferior kind are generally used. The mode of budding and
grafting does not vary materiall}' from the same process with
other wood}' plants and trees, and need not here be described.

Protection to roses left out during the winter is advantageous
even to those which are quite hardy, while it is essential to those
less so. The Tea, Bengal, and Noisette classes may be left out
during the winter b}' covering with sand or earth, but usually the
top dies and new growth only comes from the roots. Evergreen
boughs secured around the more hardy sorts are generally the only
and best protection they need or can have ; where the sorts need
more protection, the plants may be laid flat on the ground and
covered with sand or earth an inch or two deep.

Insect Enemies. Whoever grows roses, out-doors or in, and is
not troubled with insects injuring foliage or blossom is a highly
favored and fortunate individual ; for it seems of late that each
plant and product from the soil has its peculiar insect enemies,
which prove a drawback on our pleasure and a hinderance of our
interests, to escape from which there is no patent or royal highway,
but the}' must be firmly met and manfully fought. Still, where
proper attention is given to soil, watering, planting, etc., and a few
7

50 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

simple precautions and directions are heeded, little trouble or
annoyance from insects need be anticipated. In house culture the
aphis and red spider are the most foiTnidable ; for the first, fumi-
gation with tobacco, when it can be done, is the best thing, but if
the aphis is any wa^'s abundant the plants will need fumigating at
least twice, a day or two intervening between the fumigations, to
be sure of the destruction of all, with the young. Where the use
of tobacco is objectionable, four ounces of quassia chips, boiled in
four quarts of water ten minutes, with four ounces of soft soap dis-
solved in the liquid, and applied with a soft brush to ever}' part,
leaf and brancli, of the plants, after fifteen or twenty minutes
syringing the plants with pure water, will answer as a substitute.
Out-doors in Ma}', or as soon as the leaves begin to grow, the rose
caterpillar begins to glue the leaves together, to form a shelter for
itself. Go over the plants frequentl}- and pinch these folded leaves,
thus destroying the insect ; this is the most simple and efficacious
remedy, if it be a little revolting to the very fastidious. For the
sawfly larvse, and other later appearing insects, syringing with a
solution of four ounces of whale oil soap in four gallons of soft
water will usually destroy them ; where this proves inefficacious,
powdered white hellel)ore, sprinkled over the fohage while wet, will
prove efTectual ; but let no one think that a single application of
any one remedy is all that may be needed during one season, but
be prepared to repeat whenever necessar}'. The rosebug or rose
chafer, is a pest which often destroys the blossoms, its nature de-
priving us of the opportunit}' to attack them except in the per-
fect state ; and then we must destroy them b}' pinching their heads,
stamping on them, and scalding ; a little daily attention for five or
six weeks will eflTectually dispose of them. Toads are fond of
them and will dispose of large numbers when an opportunity is
given them.

Mildew sometimes attacks the rose, and is usually caused by ex-
tremes of heat and cold, excessive and continued dampness, with
continuous cloudy weather, too little bright sun and fresh pure air ;
sprinkling with sulphur and soot are remedies, but caution must be
used not to give the sulphur too freely, or it will destroy the foliage.

To sum up, I would only add, that the whole culture is com-
prised in the seasonable, careful, judicious, and sensible application
of the natural laws of cause and effect.

I herewith subjoin a list of such hardy and tender varieties as I

THE CULTURE AND VARIETIES OF ROSES. 51

believe to be best adapted for general culture in our New England
climate.

China. Agrippina or Cramoisi Superieur. — Rich, velvety
crimson ; moderately double.

Duclier. — Pure white ; medium size, free bloomer, good form.

Eugene Beauharnais. — Bright amaranth ; fine form and fragrant.

Imperatrice Eugenie. — Silver}^ rose ; large and fragrant.

Jacksonia. — Bright red ; very double.

La Superbe. — Purple crimson ; very double, opening uniformly
well.

Tea. Adam. — Rose, salmon centre ; large and full.

Bon Silene. — Rosy carmine, shaded with salmon ; fragrant and
free blooming.

Catherine Mermet. — Bright flesh color ; large, full, and of fine
form.

Isabella Sprunt. — Sulphur j^ellow ; resembles Safrano, except in
the color of the flowers.

Madame Camille. — Delicate rose ; large and full ; of good habit,
and free from mildew.

Marie Van Houtte. — White, slightly tinged with yellow ; large
and full.

BduRBOK. Duchesse de Thuringe. — White, slightly tinged with
lilac.

Du. Petit Thouars. — Crimson ; fine and hardy.

George Peabody. — Dark, velvety crimson ; an American variety.

Hermosa. — Bright rose ; a very constant bloomer.

Queen of the Bourbons. — Fawn and rose ; very fragrant, and a
profuse bloomer.

Souvenir de la Malmaisoyi. — Delicate flesh color, tinted with
fawn ; large and double.

Noisette. Aimee Vibert. — Pure white ; single, small, blooming
in clusters ; hardy.

Celiyie Forestier. Pale yellow, deeper towards the centre.

Cloth of Gold. — Deep yellow centre, with sulphur edges ; rather
shy, but magnificent in bloom.

Lamarque. — White, with sulphur centre ; flowers in clusters ;
fine climber under glass.

Pumila. — Salmon, shaded with rose ; free bloomer.

Solfaterre. — Sulphur yellow ; large, double, fragrant.

Hybrid Perpetual. Alfred Colomb. — Crimson, shaded with
carmine ; full, globular form ; large, fragrant.

52 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY.

Charles Lefebvre. — Reddish crimson ; velvety, rich, large, lull and
well formed ; fragrant.

Countess Cecile de Chahrillant. — Deep pink ; medium, full, perfect
cup form ; fragrant.

John Hopper. — Bright rose with carmine centre ; large and full.

La France. — Delicate silvery rose ; large, full, globular form,
constant bloomer ; very sweet.

Madame Victor Verdier. — Brilliant carmine crimson : large, full,
globular and free bloomer ; fragrant.

Miscellaneous. Baltimore Belle. — Pale blush, changing to near
white ; compact and double.

Queen of the Prairies. — Bright rosy red, frequently with white
stripe.

Blanchejleur . — White, slightly tinged with flesh ; yavy fragrant.

Madame Hardy. — White ; large, very fragrant and free from
mildew.

Persian. — Deep bright j-ellow ; small but prettily shaped ; very
early.

White. — Pure white ; very double, with the delicate fragrance of
the violet.

Discussion.

The President being obliged to leave, the chair was taken by
Rev. A. B. Muzzey, of the Committee on Publication and Discus-
sion.

M. H. Merriam said that he had listened to the essay with much
interest, but there were some things not mentioned or even sug-
gested in it. One is the inquiry why as good" success in forcing
roses has not been attained south of this as here, so that New York
is in large measure dependent on Boston for its forced roses. The
case is similar in Philadelphia, where the winters are still milder,
and also in lower latitudes. How can the outside climate affect
roses grown under glass, where we have control of the climate?
Another point is, whether in cutting roses to leave one or two buds
for future development or to cut close, or on older wood. Certain
treatment develops wood, and other treatment develops fruit.
What is the cause of "blind" wood with few flowers? What is the
effect of chemicals, such as oxide of iron, on the color of roses?
What is the effect of an extra supply of carbonic acid gas ? Some

FERTILIZERS. 53

experiments have indicated beneficial results. Is the decay of
leaves on roses a disease, or is it caused by a fungus, or b^' too
much water ? The diseases of roses generally is an interesting sub-
ject ; are there specific symptoms, and if there are, what are they,
and what are the remedies ?

N. B. White asked whether the failure to grow roses south con-
sisted in a failure to get a good growth of wood, or whether wood
was produced without flowers.

Mr. Merriam had no particular information on the subject.

James Cruickshanks was satisfied that if we had good hardy
wood, the more closely we prune, the better roses we get. He had
covered a bed of Moss roses with moss from the woods, pruned to
two or three buds, and pegged down the shoots, and the bed made
a complete flame of flowers.

The discussion, owing to the engagement on committees of
several gentlemen who would otherwise have taken pai't, was not as
extended as usual. The Chairman announced that on the next
Saturday Professor W. O. Atwater would speak on Fertilizers.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, February 9, 1878.

A meeting foi' discussion was holden at 11 o'clock. William C.
Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion,
presided, and introduced Professor W. O. Atwater, of Weslejan
Universit}', Middletown, Conn., to lecture on Fertilizers.

Professor Atwater said that he proposed to give, not a formal
lecture, but rather a "talk," on the general subject of plant food,
as supplied b}" soils and fertilizers, and should first state some im-
portant principles. The character of the soil as to moisture,
texture, warmth, etc., is very important, but its supply of plant
food is even more so for the growth of crops. Ever}- plant in order
to grow must have food. This is not a newly discovered principle,
but, until quite recently, no one has known just what ingredients are
necessary to the growth of plants. Prof. Atwater here described
some experiments made bj' Nobbe, to test the importance of the

54 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

various ingredients of plant food, the description being illustrated
bj a diagram, representing several buckwheat plants growing in
ditferent solutions of plant food, — one with all the ingredients
needed ; one with all but potash ; one with nitrogen omitted ; one
without phosphoric acid, and so on. It was found that if any one
essential ingredient was not supplied in sufficient quantity, the
plant would not grow. A solution containing all the necessary in-
gredients, is known as a normal solution. In such solutions plants
are raised as large, as healthy, and in every way as perfect as those
grown in the soil. Woltf raised in such a solution four perfect oat
plants with forty-six stems, and 1,535 well developed seeds.
Nobbe obtained a Japanese buckwheat plant, nine feet high, weigh-
ing, air-dry, 4,786-fold the weight of the seed, and bearing 796
ripe, and 108 imperfect seeds. And Professor Knop used to delight
in showing his friends a 3'oung oak tree, very small indeed, but the
growth of which had been normal, though its roots had been im-
mersed only in aqueous solutions. The results of a vast amount of
this sort of experimenting all point in one direction, and prove this
principle.

No agricultural plant can attain full growth without a sufficient
supply, through its roots, from the soil, of potash^ lime, magnesia,
iron, pliosplioric acid, sulpthuric acid, and some compound of
nitrogen.

Besides these, chlorine, and perhaps silica, are sometimes, if not
always, indispensable, though in very small proportions, to complete
development. If any one of these essential higredients be lacking,
the plant will suffer in growth and development.

Such experiments as these, coupled with practical experience in
the field, have led to almost a revolution in our views of fertilizing.
We have learned that we must put on manure to feed plants. But
there are various important conditions of the successful working of
manure, among which are proper tillage and thorough mixing of the
fertilizers with the soil. The indirect action of fertilizers is a very
important point.

Every soil, however barren, is capable of furnishing some plant
food. In what are called " worn-out soils," the available supply of
one or more ingredients is generally insufficient.

In experiments with buckwheat plants grown in boxes of sand
taken from the well-known barren plains in Wallingford, Conn, (on
the line of the N. Y., N. H., & H. R. R.), the plants grown with-

FERTILIZERS. 55

out phosphate were nearly as tall as those with a complete fertilizer,
but were slender and the seeds were deficient in weight ; without
potash the same as without phosphate ; while without nitrogen, the
growth was almost nothing, showing that this soil lacked available
phosphoric acid and potash, and, most of all, nitrogen. Some soils
will grow almost anything that is planted on them ; such soils pos-
sess all the ingredients of plant food.

Prof. Atwater said that he had received hundreds of letters, of
which the burden was, What shall I put on my soils to produce crops ?
If all soils were alike in their ways of supplying crops with food,
and all crops alike in their ways of using it, the answers to such
questions would be eas}" ; as it is, it is impossible to lay down rules
to cover all cases.

The chief value of fertilizers is their plant food. The main use
of guanos, phosphates, bone, fish, potash, salts, and the like, is to
sui)ply the crops witli food which they cannot get enough of from
the soil. The rule in buying them should be to select those wliich
supply in the best forms and at the lowest cost, tlie i)laut food
which the crops need and the soils fail to furnish.

We may take it as pretty well settled that the only ingredients of
plant food which we need supply to our soils, are potash, Ume,
magnesia, 2:)hosphoric acid, sulpJmric acid, and nitrogen. Iron
and chlorine are necessary to the perfect growth of plants, but only
in minute quantities. Silica and soda are needed, if at all, in simi-
larl}' small proportions. Every ordinar}' soil supplies these last
four substances in abundance.

Of the above list, the magnesia is rarel}' deficient in even " worn-
out" soils. Sulphuric acid and lime are more often lacking, and
hence, doubtless, one reason of the good effect so often observed
from the application of lime and plaster. The remaining substances,
phosphoric acid, nitiogen, and potash, are the most apt to be
deficient. In some soils one, in others several or all, of these may
be wanting. When we say the ingredients are " wanting," we do
not mean that the soil does not contain them, but that it does not
supply the crops as much as the}' need. It is not so much because
our " worn-out " soils have not enough plant food in store that
crops starve upon them, but rather because the food is locked up in
such combinations that the roots can not get at and use them.
Such is the general result of the best testimony that experience
and experiment have placed at our disposal.

56 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

It was once thought that the chemical analysis of a soil would
easily reveal its deficiencies in plant food. But later experience
has shown this to be, at best, a costly and very defective source of in-
formation. Different samples of soil, taken from different places in
the same field and at different times, may vary widel}' in composi-
tion, and, what is a still greater diflSculty, the chemical tests which
prove the presence of a given ingredient in the soil, do not tell
whether it is already in such a form that the plant can use it, nor
whether or how soon it may become so. And there are many other
factors of vital importance to the development of the plant which
soil analysis does not reveal.

To find what materials crops remove from the soil is an easier
matter. Thousands of anal^^ses of the more important vegetable
products have been made, nearly all in Europe, however, and we
have tables prepared from them giving the average composition of
our field crops. From these any farmer ma}^ calculate how much
plant food a given crop takes, on the average, from his soil. The
figures might possibly fit his case no closer than would the calcula-
tion of his own weight from that of the average European, but they
will suffice well enough for practical purposes.

Formulas for fertilizers for special crops are frequentlj' based upon
calculations of this sort. For instance, a crop of fifty bushels of
corn, with the stalks, would take from the soil, on the average,
Nitrogen, - - 76 lbs. Magnesia, - - 23 lbs.

Phosphoric Acid, - 51 " Lime, - - - 27 "

Potash, - - - 72 " Sulphuric Acid, - 8 "

Now we may assume that nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash,
are the only substances the soil will fail to furnish in plenty, or that, if
lime and sulphuric acid are needed in addition, there will be enough
in the superphosphates and other materials to be used, to supply
them. We have then to provide 76 lbs. of nitrogen, 51 lbs. of
phosphoric acid, and 72 lbs. of potash, in forms readily available
for plant food.

We could supply the nitrogen in, sa}', 760 lbs. of dried blood, at a
cost of about $15.40, the phosphoric acid in 340 lbs. of dissolved
bone black, costing $6.00, and the potash in 144 lbs. of muriate of
potash, costing, say, $3.20. This would make for our 50 bushel
corn crop, 1,244 pounds of fertilizing material, at a cost of $24.60.
It would be a costly application, even if it were sure to improve the
yield by fifty bushels.

FERTILIZERS. 57

But need so much of all these ingredients be used ? The crop
maj' have the power of making use of the compounds of nitrogen
alread}' stored in the soil or supplied by the atmosphere, so that at
least a part of the $15.40 worth of nitrogen will be superfluous.
The application of g3'psum is often equivalent to the addition of
potash, since gypsum tends to liberate this from its combinations
in the soil, and thus render it available to plants, and so we may
get our potash at a good deal less cost than in the So. 20 worth of
potash salts. Or, for that matter, the soil will very likely supply
plent}' of potash and we may leave it out of account entirely in our
formula. The ph3'sical condition of the soil affects ver}' materiall}'
the feeding of plants and the action of fertilizers. For these, and
various other reasons which this is not the place to discuss, and
which are, in the present state of our knowledge, very imperfectly
understood, the formula, however attractive in theory' , might be far
from the most economical, in fact.

One of the chief defects of formulas on this plan is that they take
no account of what we may call the feeding capacities of the crops.
A vast deal of experience in the laboratory and in the field bears
concurrent testimony to the fact, though we know as yet very little
about how or why it is so, that different kinds of plants have
different capacities for making use of the stores of food that every
soil contains. Clover will get plent}' of nitrogen where wheat will
fail for lack of it. Nitrogenous manures help clover but little, and
are almost a specific for wheat ; and this, notwithstanding clover
contains a great deal, and wheat but little nitrogen. Lawes and
Gilbert found that a soil -from which a clover crop had just been
removed, contained more nitrogen than it did before the clover was
put in ; that, in other words, the soil, to the depth of nine inches
at least, was positively enriched b}- the growth and removal of a
highly nitrogenous (clover) crop. The nitrogen for a clover crop
of two tons on this plan would cost perhaps $16. To bu^' and use
it — at least so much of it — would be absoluteh' wasteful.

The analysis of a plant is a ver}' incorrect standard for the fer-
tilizer to appl}' to it. The idea of fertilizing on this basis is old,
simple, attractive, costly, partly rational, and often profitable. It
is a step in advance of the common plan of using fertilizers at ran-
dom. But it is uneconomical in the extreme.

The next step in advance would be to fit the fertilizer to the
actual demands of the crops. This may be done by classifying

58 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

crops according to their predominating requirements, and adapting
formulas to the several classes. For general and indiscriminate
use, where the character of the soil and other special conditions
cannot be taken into account, this plan is open to less objections
than any other.

But, even if our knowledge of the laws of plant nutrition were
sufficient for accurate calculations, as it is not, this plan would still
leave several very important factors out of account. The weightiest
is the supply which the soil can itself furnish. The next step in
advance, then, must be to test the soils.

The faimers near Middletown (where Professor Atwater resides) ,
need potash ; in other places, potash does little or no good. How
shall each of us ascertain what our soils most need ? There is no
better way than to trj' experiments on a small scale before making
large investments ; to put the question to the soil with different fer-
tilizers and get the answer in the crops.

The best agricultural chemists in this country and in Europe, are
agreed in this opinion, Stoeckhardt, Knop, Woltf, Ville, and
Voelcker, have all recommended farmers to try experiments to test
the action of different fertilizing materials upon their soils. Of
course, there are soils so uneven that experiments on a small scale
cannot be decisive. Nor will a single crop tell the whole story.
To get the best results, the experiments should be carried through
a series of years,- — through a course of rotation, for instance.
The soil should be without previous accumulations of fertilizing
matters to interfere with the action of the fertihzers. By proper
care, trials may be made which will bring valuable results at com-
paratively little cost.

Acting on these principles, the Connecticut Experiment Station,
of which Prof. Atwater was Director, in the spring of 1877,
sent out to as many farmers, nearl}' fifty sets of fertihzers, with
directions for experiment. It was recommended that these experi-
ments should be tried on long parallel strips of ground, as likel}' to
give greater average uniformit}' of soil than the same area in a
square. Nearly twenty of these farmers have reported, and their
reports are in accordance with what has been said. There is a great
difference in soils, and what produces the desired effect in one case,
may not in another.

Prof. Atwater described an experiment made bj' D. H. Birdsey, of
Middlefield, Conn., on six plots, the first of which was manured

rERTILIZF:RS. 59

with dried blood, furnishing nitrogen ; tlie second with superphos-
phate ; the third with a potash salt ; the fourth with a mixture of
the first two ; and the fifth with a mixture of all three. Each of
these plots contained ten square rods and received twenty pounds
of fertilizer. The sixth, which was of the same size, was manured
with barnyard manure at the rate of five cords to the acre, hen
dung and ashes being added in the hill. The plots were all planted
with corn. On the third plot, with potash salt ; the fifth with dried
blood, superphosphate, and potash salt ; and the sixth with yard
and hen manure and ashes (which also furnished potash) , the crop
looked well through the season, the stalks were large and strong,
the ears well filled, and the grain good. On the plots without
potash the growth was very poor, the stalks small, weak, and yellow,
and the ears poorly' filled. This experiment was not in all respects
perfectly accurate, and its results are not to be taken as mathe-
matically exact ; but the fact that on the three plots where there
was no potash the crops uniformly failed, and that on the plots
where potash was applied they were uniformly good, shows that the
weak point of this soil was potash, and that the strong point in any
fertilizer applied to it should be potash. The fifth plot, with potash
onl}", producing as good a crop as the fifth or sixth, which had
potash and other ingredients, is a strong indication that the soil
alread}' contained enough of all materials except potash. But in
the next field the case ma}^ be different. The potash salt on the
third plot would cost at the rate of S6.72 per acre, while the yard
manure on the sixth plot cost $40 per acre, besides the ashes and
hen manure.

In a very careful experiment on sixteen plots, with as many
different fertilizers, by W. I. Bartholomew, of Pomfret, Conn., in
every case where phosphoric acid was omitted the crop failed, and
in every case where it was applied in any form, either by itself or
in combination with other substances, the crop succeeded, and the
quantity of corn was remarkably in the proportion of the phos-
phoric acid applied. What this soil most needed was clearly phos-
phoric acid.

An experiment by Chester Sage, of Middletown, Connecticut,
resulted in failure, in ever}^ case, except where a complete fertilizer
was used. Dried blood, superphosphate, potash salts, and plaster
alone, each brought crops no larger, and, if anj'thing, poorer in
quality, than where no fertilizer was applied. The mixture of

60 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

dried blood and superphosphate, corresponding to a first-class
" ammoniated " superphosphate, did scarcely an}^ better. In each
case the crop was, as Mr. Sage says, " all refuse corn and hardly
worth saving." But with the complete fertilizers, the yields were
good. Hen manure, which furnished all the ingredients of plant
food, brought about forty bushels of shelled corn per acre. The
mixture of dried blood, superphosphate, and potash salt, which cost
at the rate of $16 per acre, and furnished nitrogen, phosphoric
acid, and potash, but doubtless in larger quantities than the hen
manure, brought sixty bushels of very fine corn to the acre.
•■' This," Mr. Sage says, " was such a crop as I like to have. It
grew well all summer, and the corn >vas very fine. The stalks were
large and green when the corn was ripe, and will make excellent
fodder." This soil showed the need of a complete fertilizer.

A similar series of experiments was made on the farm of the
Maine Agricultural College b}' a student, Mr. Lufkin, under the
direction of the Professor of Agriculture, Mr. Farrington. In these
experiments potash did little apparent good. Potash salts alone,
improved the 3'ield very slightlj' , or not at all, and fell far short of
pajdng their costs. Mixed with dried blood and superphosphate,
the case was a trifle better. On other portions of this field. Prof.
Farrington had no success with kainit, and found leached ashes
to help grass as much as unleached. Among the crops most apt to
be helped by potash are grass, potatoes, roots, and the leguminous
crops, which include beans. None of these got an^' apparent benefit
from the potash here. On the whole, potash does not seem to be
needed on this land.

The only case where dried blood alone seemed of any use was
with potatoes ; but with phosphoric acid it evidently increased the
crop in several cases.

Phosphoric acid was uniformly and largel}'' beneficial. The
superphosphate alone, gave the largest potato crop of all. It also
served an excellent purpose with nitrogen there, and the two
together brought the best yield of turnips on the field.

Taking all in all, as tested by the crops and fertilizers named,
the chief need of this soil seems to be phosphoric acid ; the next
nitrogen. In its present condition it does not seem to call for
potash.

As indicated by the experiments, this is a soil on which artificial
fertilizers of the right kinds, and with the right crops, can be used

FERTILIZERS. 61

•with great profit. Some soils give but little return for manures
applied ; others respond bountifull_y to even small applications.
Such, the Geimans very aptly term " thankful" soils. This is one.
Left to itself it seems to be able to do very little, but with a very
little help it brings good crops. On the supposition that the single
plots without manure were fair samples of the whole, notwithstand-
ing the large quantities used and the high prices allowed, the nitro-
genous superphosphates gave, with potatoes and turnips, a gain of
from $50 to $80 per acre. But while the fertilizers brought such
profitable returns of potatoes and roots, with beans there was
almost uniforml}' a loss. This accords well with what Mr. Lawes,
of England, says as the result of thirty 3'ears' experimenting and
practice with fertihzers, that "it is not advisable to sow artificial
manure with beans, peas, tares, or other leguminous plants. Corn,
i. e., grain, and root crops, will take all the artificial manure which
the farmer can afford to pa^^ for."

Prof. Atwater said that he did not feel justified in making many
generalizations from these experiments, though future experience
might warrant more. One or two points were, however, worthy of
mention. The cases in which nitrogen, in the form of dried blood,
by itself, appeared, in the reports, to be especiall}' beneficial to
corn, were very few — not more than one in ten. He did not think
this could all be due to the wrong application or excessive quantity of
the dried blood used . Doubtless, if the nitrogen had been in the form
of sulphate of ammonia, or nitrate of soda, or Peruvian guano, the
results would have been very dirt'erent. Still, it looked as though
the corn crop did not require the application of very large quanti-
ties of niti'ogen in fertilizers.

Superphosphates proved beneficial in nearly ever^- case where the
trial was a fair one. At the same time there are numerous well-
attested cases of worn-out soils in which phosphoric acid was evi-
dentl}' not needed.

As regards potash, out of twelve cases in which farmers in the
vicinity of Middletown had reported their experience last season in
these experiments and in their field practice, potash salts were
apparently profitable in ten, and without benefit in two. Elsewhere,
the reports average less favorably for potash salts.

These experiments illustrate how crops vary as to their feeding-
capacity ; how soils also jnay var}', and that these two factors must
be taken into account. The whole matter may be summed up into

62 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the advice : First, use all the manure that is produced on the farm ;
then, since most farmers in the older states need something more,
experiment to ascertain what fertilizers produce the best effect.
AVhoeverwill use fertilizers economical]}' and profitably, must select
the ones that supply- the materials which his particular crops need,
and his soil fails to furnish. And the question what is most needed
in a given case, can be tested in no better way, — indeed, in no
other way than by direct experiment, — b}' putting the question to
the soil with the fertilizers, and getting the answer with the crops.
Of course, the effects of weather, tillage, physical character of the
soil, indirect action of the fertilizers, and so on, count for a great
deal, and the most reliable results will come only after repeating
the experiments for a series of years, through a course of rotation
of crops, for instance.

Leander Wetherell asked how Mr. Birdsey's soil was treated be-
fore the experiment.

Prof. Atwater replied that in that region the farmers had long
been in the habit of using a good deal of bone, superphosphates,
guano, and fish. These supply phosphoric acid and nitrogen, but
little or no potash. Mr. Birdsey says that on this particular soil,
bone used to produce an excellent effect, but of late he sees scarcely
any benefit from it. It would seem as though this land had become
relatively over- charged with phosphoric acid and deficient in
potash.

Benjamin P. Ware spoke of farmers in Danvers who raised
large crops of potatoes of superior quality, year after year on the
same land, with Peruvian guano, so that the principle has been
established that guano does well there. Probably this would not
apply to all soils.

Prof. Atwater saw no reason why this should not be so on
farms in Danvers, nor any reason why on others the case should
not be different. Phosphoric acid and nitrogen are the ingredients
most often lacking in our soils, and are supplied abundantly and
economically in Peruvian guano. Prof. Atwater spoke with
approval of the process of " rectifying" Peruvian guano, which, as
imported, contains large lumps and some stones, and not much
sulphuric acid. In rectifying, the stones are removed, the lumps
pulverized, and the whole mixed to make it uniform. Sulphuric
acid is added, as to bone and mineral phosphate, to make the
phosphoric acid more readily soluble and to fix the ammonia.

FERTILIZERS. 63

The rectified guano is sold in immense quantities in Europe, where
its use has increased uniformly since its first introduction.

Prof. Atwater added that the indirect action of fertilizers counts
for a great deal. Fertilizers often help plants to get food from the
soil which otherwise would be inaccessible to them. This helps to
explain the action of plaster.

Fertilizers give rise to chemical changes which liberate other
plant food in the soil ; as to how the}' eflect this, we are much in
the dark. We should not however despair of ascertaining. Twenty
years ago no one could say whether potash was necessarj' for the
food of plants, but now we know it is. The increase in our knowl-
edge of the laws of plant growth, and of what has to do with suc-
cessful crop growing and stock raising, has, during a comparativel}'
few years past, been simply immense. Take away from our agri-
culture what has been added to it during the last fifty 3'ears by that
accurat(i and rational observation and experimenting which con-
stitutes true science, and it would be very little in advance of that
of the Romans.

Dr. Peter Pineo thought that a rational and satisfactor}' explana-
tion of the effect of gypsum or sulphate of lime, which produces
remarkable results on some soils, while in others its action is
negative, might be found in the well-known principles of chemical
affinity, where two substances of difljerent chemical combination
came into contact — as in solution — forming new compounds, and
liberating gases. For instance, carbonate or phosphate of soda or
potash, coming in contact with tartaric acid, or sulphuric acid, in
solution, will have set free carbonic acid, or the phosphates, and
tartrate or sulphate of soda or potash will be formed. It is well
known that wood ashes coming in contact with hen manure will set
free the ammonia.

We have a well marked case of double elective affinity, in the
familiar experiment of sulphate of zinc and acetate of lead, which,
when brought together in solution, produce two new compounds.
The sulphuric acid leaves the zinc and combines with the lead, for
which it has a stronger affinit}', forming sulphate of lead, while the
acetic acid combines with the zinc, forming acetate of zinc. These
processes which we see in the chemical laborator}' are clearly
explanator}' of those wonderful effects obtained in the vast labora-
tory of Nature.

The gypsum, or sulphate of lime, applied to some soils, will

64 MASSACHUSETTS IIOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

find elements with which to make new combinations, setting free
in a condition available for plant food the nitrogen, the phosphates,
or potash — the three great staple fertilizers — which, according to
Prof. Atwater, if present in, or applied in sufficient quantity and
available form to any soil, will be quite sure to find an abundance
of the other and less important elements, to insure a good crop.

Prof. Atwater, in answer to an inquiry, said that he had made
no experiment in the application of sulphuric acid directly to the
soil.

Mr. Wetherell had read an account of its application in a very
weak solution, with the effect of increasing the crop. It was
inferred that it set free plant food.

John B. Moore being asked to express his views of the suliject
mider discussion, said that he was exceedingly pleased with Prof.
Atwater's address, and that he agreed so fully with it that he had
nothing to add.

Mr. Wetherell thought that what Mr. Moore had said was the
highest compliment that could be paid to Prof. Atwater's lecture.

O. B. Hadwen said that Prof. Atwater had shown the values of
different fertilizers as applied to different soils, but still he told us
that the seasons and other circumstances aft'ect their operation. It
was a surprise to him that these fertilizers are as regular in their
effect as they are. They will be especiall}' valuable to all who have
lands difficult of access.

The Chairman remarked that fruit growers apply the same
fertilizers to different trees and wonder that their apples do not do
as well as their pears.

Mr. Wetherell had tried a set of the fertilizers mentioned here,
and common land plaster produced a better effect than any one
ingredient or an}^ combination, or than the Stockbridge fertilizers.
This puzzled him, but Prof. Goessman said it showed that the
cheapest of the ingredients was the best for that land. What we
want is to save the expense of carting heavy barnj'ard manure,
which, Lawes says, contains only sixt^'-two pounds of plant food
in a ton.

Prof. Atwater said that it puzzled him to know wh}" things should
behave in a certain way in one soil, and in an entirel}'^ different
manner in another. He did not mean to say that the three sub-
stances which he had spoken of as most generall}' deficient, were
the only ones that should be applied to our soils. He thought the

FERTILIZERS. 65

good effect of plaster was its indirect action, which is a convenient
term for covering oiir ignorance. Phister serves directl}' as plant
food. Water passing through soil mixed with plaster, brings out
more potash. Plaster fixes ammonia, and by preventing evapora-
tion, is lieneficial in drought. Even with our imperfect knowledge
there are man}^ ways in which we can conceive of the beneficial
action of plaster.

Mr. Iladwen said that it is impossible for the farmer to extract
the sixt3'-two pounds of plant food from a ton of manure. It is
easier to haul the whole of it on to the land.

Prof. Atwater said, supposing it contains but sixty-two pounds
of plant food, this is not all its value. To get the largest possible
crop on his land, Mr. Lawes, in England, wonld use chemicals.
But in England, wliere there is less drought than here, and on a
naturalh' strong soil, these might answer as well as the manure.
Here, however, the evaporation is immense ; the rains settle down
into the subsoil, and in dry weather come up again. If we could
prevent them from escaping we should have no drought. Manure
in the soil may retard this evaporation. The other 1,938 pounds in
the ton undergo chemical changes in the soil, improve its texture,
and turn into active forms the inert plant food the soil contains.

Mr. Hadwen asked whether manure w^ould become plant food
sooner when on the surface or when ploughed in.

Prof. Atwater replied that manure acts in a great many different
wa^'s, and might sometimes become plant food sooner when applied
to the surface, and sometimes when ploughed in. AV ell-cured
manure, applied when in the proper condition, always works well.
But when the fermentation goes too far, not onl}' is much valuable
material lost but what remains becomes changed more or less to
inert forms. If the manure is to be fermented, the process should
not be too rapid nor carried too far. Now if the manure is spread
on the ground when it is fresh or partly- cured, it will not ferment
much ; it will lose extremely little A^aluable material, and rains and
melting snows will soak the material into the soil as fast as it is
rendered available, and thus it will be saved. If allowed to stard
in small heaps it is apt to ferment so much as to waste a good deal.
You must have it where the roots feed, and this is mostl}^ in the
first six inches of the soil. If you can apply it a considerable time
in advance, spread it on the surface ; there will then be less loss
than when put in even small heaps ; but the rain and the snow will
9

66 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

wash the manure into the soil. Some loss would occur when
spread on the soil if the ground was frozen.

Mr. Ware, referring to what Prof. Atwater had said of the
tendency of manure to operate on the soil, asked if there was not
something gained b}' mixing fermenting material with plant food
which does not ferment, as, for instance, stable manure or glue
refuse with meadow mnck.

Prof. Atwater said that he should answer to Mr. Ware's ques-
tion, most emphaticall3\ yes. With all our science we find our
scientific knowledge most valuable when it leads us back to the
simple processes which nature produces. Nature provides pro-
cesses of fermentation and decay by which highly organized animal
and vegetable matters are decomposed and brought into simple
forms, in which they can be used by the plant. Some samples of
meadow muck are richer in plant food than any manure except the
very best. These produce no effect in their natural condition, but
by drying, decay, and fermentation, the bad qualities are removed
and the good brought out. There is a great deal of difference in
the quality of different deposits of muck and peat. In composting
we should use materials which will aid the work of decomposition,
and at the same time supply plant food, such as lime, plaster, or
potash in its cheapest form. These will change useless, or worse
than useless, materials into valuable forms. It is better to mix
several materials ; a mixture does more good than a single ingre-
dient.

Mr. Moore said that many j-ears ago he made himself believe in
compost, but his crops said it was a fraud. Some peat is so full
of sulphate of iron as to be injurious to plants. Farmers make a
compost heap on the land, but how can you compost manure better
than by ploughing it in ?

Prof. Atwater assented to the last point made b}' Mr. Moore, as
regards manure, but asked. Suppose you have a good muck bed in
the back pasture, but cold and wet ; will it not be profitable to dig
it out, dr}^ it, cart it to the barn, and compost it? The quantity of
plant food in muck is very variable ; he had looked at one bed and
advised not to use it, but beds composed of decayed leaves and
branches are ver}^ valuable, sometimes containing more nitrogen
than barnyard manure.

Mr. Wctherell said that we wanted to use soil or muck as an
absorbent, but he knew of a farmer who had got tired of carting
the soil of his fields to his barnyard and then carting it back again.

FERTILIZKES. 67

Prof. Atwater said that man}' samples of fertilizers came to him
for examination, and that many farmers pa}' too much for them,
because they fail to discriminate not merely between good and bad,
but between those which are most appropriate to their soils, and
those which are not.

Prof. Atwater's lecture was illustrated b}' specimens of fertilizers,
and by diagrams of Dr. Nobbes' experiments with plants in solu-
tions, and of experiments made by the lecturer in barren sand, and
by tabular views of the experiments made under the direction .of
the Connecticut Experiment Station. It was listened to with great
interest throughout, and at the close Mr. Moore moved a vote of
thanks to Prof. Atwater for his able and instructive address, which
was unanimousl}' passed.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, February IG, 1878.

A meeting for discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, W. C. Strong,
Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion, pre-
siding. The discussion was a continuation of that of last week on
Fertilizers.

Dr. E. Lewis Sturtevant opened the discussion. He had had no
time to prepare a paper, but said that he had careful!}' considered
the subject, and that the facts he should present would be correct,
and the opinions given such as he had deliberately formed.

He referred first to the history of fertilizers, and claimed that a
substance had been extensively used during ages, and had, on the
average, always produced crop-results. This substance was dung.
In 1840, Liebig first brought the subject of artificial fertiUzers
vividly before the public, in his masterly writings, and his views
had received such currency that their few errors had become diffi-
cult to eradicate from the public comprehension. He, however,
proved one true and important fact : that the elements of the
plant were taken ' as such from the soil, and that plants could
receive into their structure mineral food artificially supplied. Hon

68 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

J. B. Lawes, of England, in his series of experiments covering
tliirty-four 3'ears witli tlie same crop under similar conditions, has
shown that artificial fertilizers or chemicals are the equivalents of
dung, and Ville, of France, has, in like manner, confirmed and
added to this conclusion. In addition to their scientific value, Mr.
Lawes' experiments have shown the reliability- of a mixture of fer-
tilizers in producing crops, and he has stated, as the result of his
long experience, that under certain circumstances he should give the
preference to a chemical over an animal fertilizer like j-ard manure.

Dr. Sturtevant said we may claim, also, from experimental evi-
dence, largely negative in its character, that a complete fertilizer is
the equivalent in crop-producing capacity to dung, while the theory
of Ville, that the farmer can cause the plant to analyze the soil, and
determine the needs of the soil, has received no confirmation in
practice. Dr. vSturtevant therefore claimed with considerable posi-
tiveness, that the plan of applying single fertilizers to limited areas
for a single year, is unworthy the attention of the practical farmer,
as having never been productive of information in regard to the
cropping condition of the land in the past, and as not promising
anything at present. An application of a single fertilizer maj^,
however, in the hands of a trained observer, oflfer valuable infor-
mation, but it is incapable of analyzing a field and showing its defi-
ciencies, until in some way — an impossible thing at present — we are
assured that the field is of a uniform composition, a uniform ph^-si-
cal state, and the crops planted are all treated in a uniform manner
during growth, originating from seed of uniform heredity, and
special hereditary characteristics.

He said that the great difference between the single and the
complete fertihzer was in their relation to each farmer's practice.
That the single fertilizer might advantageously supplement dung,
while the complete fertilizer can replace dung. That the farmer
who uses a complete fertilizer secures the same certainty as if using
dung, while the farmer who uses a single fertilizer secures favorable
or unfavorable results according to the condition of the land in
reference to past supply of plant food. If we know our land is
deficient in one element, then we should apply this element. But
we cannot know this, as there are continual changes occurring in
the land, and it is but the available plant food which concerns us
as farmers, and not that in an inert state, so far as regards this
question.

FERTILIZPJKS. 69

Benjamin P. Ware understood that Dr. Sturtevant had expressed
the opinion that it would be profitable to sell barn3-ard manure and
purchase chemical fertilizers, and asked whether he was still of that
opinion.

Dr. Sturtevant replied that it was but a question of price. When
the price of dung is relatively' higher than that of fertilizer, then he
was ready to sell. At the present time he would sell dung at eight
dollars a cord, for this was more than its chemical value, and he
could secure lai'ger returns in crops from the eight dollars invested
in fertilizer than from the cord of dung.

At the present time, Stockbridge's idea is undergoing trial, and
the experience of several 3-ears has been confirmatory of its real
value. The speaker coutd say, and would say, that the Stock-
bridge fornmla offered a substitute for dung which enabled him to
cultivate all the land he pleased, and which, at present prices of
fertilizer and product, left a handsome margin of profit. The
Stockbridge formula was certainl}^ a more philosophical method of
obtaining results than the Ville formula, as being based on the
wants of the plant, in preference to being based on the accidental
product, dung.

In .the national characteristics of the Germans, we recognize a
thoroughness of agricultural thought which is commendable, but in
agriculture the Germans show little power of generalization. In
England, the farmers have been taught empirically, through
experience, the value of artificial fertihzers, and, as a consequence,
there is more of fertilizing material imported into that country than
into an}' other portion of the world of the same area. The Ameri-
can farmer — the intelligent one — is more of a scientific farmer
than the English farmer, and endeavors to use the results of
investigation as generalized to meet his case ; and hence new ideas
of fertilization find an extended welcome, and receive more careful
and unprejudiced trial than elsewhere.

In response to a question, Dr. Sturtevant stated that Messrs.
Prout and Middlemarch, of England, had farmed extensively', using
fertilizers as directed by Dr. Voelcker, and the results were unques-
tionably successful.

He added that fertilizer experiments are often x-itiated by the
failure to consider the importance of seed, and, as an illustration,
that if we have two seed corns, one of the normal productiveness
of thirty bushels per acre, and another of sixty bushels, and plant

70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

this seed on land of a fair agricultural condition, the fertilizer will
not cause the thirt}' bushel variety to as readily respond as it will
the sixty bushel variety. In other words, it is as easy to grow the
sixty bushels in one case as the thirty bushels in the other ; and
hence, unless this difference of productive capacity' be considered,
we cannot fairly measure the apparent effect of the plant food
applied to the soil. In land of sufficient fertility to mature a thirty
bushel crop with either seed, an application sufficient to cause the
better variety to yield sixty bushels, will probably not cause the
thirty bushel variet}' to harvest over forty bushels. He repeated,
however, that in order to test these differences even, the trial must
be on a sufficienth- large scale, and, preferabl}-, continued over a
series of years.

The speaker considered Southern j^ew Hampshire and Vermont,
with Massachusetts and Connecticut, the most profitable farming
region in America. With fair land and most excellent markets,
this locality offered rewards for the application of inteUigent thought
to the farmer. As soon as the New England farmer learns that the
amount of his cultivated land is not limited by his dung-heap, but
b}' his capital, then shall we find agriculture the most desirable of
occupations. New England cultivates too little land to a farm, for
profit. The complete fertilizer allows us to extend our operations
within the lines of profit to the full capacit}' of the farm. The duty
of the farmer is to have faith in the teachings of science, and then
to consider whether the teaching meets his case, and whether he
can afford to practise it. Fertilizers will benellt any crop aud an}- of
our land. The farmer is to consider the cost to him of this beuelit,
and whether he can attbrd to pay for it.

H. Weld Fuller hud Ijeen brought up to believe that barnyard
manures have a duration vastly longer than that of chemicals ; the
German chemists sa}' its effects ai'e felt for eighteen j'ears. The
last speaker would use, on all soils, however various, one single
specific. No matter how o-yermuch of any ingredient may be in the
soil, it must still have as much more of the same added as the in-
tended crop will contain.

Now, why should a man appl}^ phosphates to his land when there
is alread}' in the soil more than enough for a hundred years to come ?
An excess of any salt when added to a soil may do mischief. This
will often be shown bj' a deposit of a fine powder" on the leaves of
plants, this being an excess which the plant cannot assimilate.

FERTILIZERS. 71

Are the experiments of the Germans of no vahie ? When the same
prodnct has been raised on a piece of land for a hnndred years, and
a constant supply of the needed ingredients is produced by nature,
would 3'ou add what the soil already- holds in excess ? Stockbridge
assumes that all soils are alike, and that all are barren, and supplies
all he expects to reap. This seemed to the speaker to be a waste
of money and material, and to be radically wrong. England has
more moisture than we, and experiments there may differ from our
own. But he regarded anything which tends to induce our farmers
to lessen their stock or to undervalue barnj-ard manure, as a
mistake.

Dr. Sturtevant said that he was willing to put himself on record
as to the scientific question of the complete fertilizer being a sub-
stitute for dung, but that this was not the whole question by any
means for the farmer to consider. There was something in the
application of a scientific truth. Each country has a different
climate, and the fields receive different treatment. Would we
advocate the German average crop of wheat, of twelve bushels per
acre, or the English average crop of twenty-five ? We surel}' should
not claim the one as the exponent of German science and the
other as the exponent of English empirical practice. Yet the
farmer who applies the teachings of science in the manner recom-
mended by an honest exj^erience, obtains yields far in excess of the
mere imitator. The farmer must consider the xohy of a process,
and then, if satisfied that the why is correctly apprehended, put his
learning to a practical application.

In considering chemical fertilizers, the speaker first noted that
his own experience, and that obtained from books, ottered no evi-
dence against the certainty and reliabilit}' of action of chemicals
when properl}' applied. The presence of certain elements of plant
food in excess, infiuences the physiological condition of the plant,
and hence affects the crop. We must then see to it that this influ-
ence is in the direction of profit to us. Plants in a dung heap or a
barren soil may be equallj' barren of fruit ; superphosphate strewn
on the side of a hill of corn, will cause the plant to develop more
fibrous roots on that side, and hence make the plant thus situated
a grosser feeder, and more capable of securing the plant food
already in the soil ; on old land, formerly dunged but now run out,
an unneeded plant food, like salt, will oftentimes release fertilit}''
from the soil, or put the plant into a condition to secure supplies

72 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

which it otherwise could not do, and hence may act as a fertilizer,
but indirectl}'. These diverse conditions of land, of season, and of
crop, all complicate the subject, and offer sources for error in inter-
pretation, so that, notwithstanding the differences of opinion
among farmers as to the usefulness of applications, we are satisfied
from the few cases where simple causes have been eliminated from
the mass of possibilities and stated, that chemicals do offer a sub-
stitute for dung to fertilize our fields, and that it is the fault of tlie
farmer alone if he use them unprofitably.

Lcander Wetherell asked Dr. Sturtevant for a detailed account
of his experiments. Could he bring a case where stable manure has
been used continuously for a long series of yearn without improving
the soil ? Or could he give a case where chemicals have been thus
used, where the fertilit}' of the soil has been kept up and im-
proved ? He thought the doctor manifestly undervalued the reported
results of the German Experiment Stations. Prof. Johnson, the
Director of the Connecticut Experiment Station at New Haven,
Mr, Wetherell said, incorporated into his valuable book, "How
Crops Grow," the tables of Prof. Wolff, of the Royal Academy of
Agriculture, at Hohenheim, Wurtemberg. The speaker doubted
whether Lawes and Gilbert's experiments, if repeated here, would
produce the same results as reported on their farm at Rothamstead.
He was slow to believe that three specifics, nitrogen, phosphoric
acid, and potash, for example, make a universally complete manure
in all places and for all time. Some soils are hungry for phos-
phoric acid, and have an abundance of potash ; wh}' use potash
where it is not needed? The same ma}' be true of nitrogen. Let
farmers and gardeners interrogate their soil with reference to these
chemicals and use what is needed, and not subject themselves to
the expense of purchasing what the soil already contains an
abundance of in a soluble condition. He believed in experimenting.

Dr. Sturtevant said that his remarks had been righth' understood.
The German experiments are the most valuable we have, and are
thoroughl}' trustworthy^ but he took the liberty of not deferring to
authority when he knew better himself. He did not think the
experiments described last week would bear out the interpretation
given them.

Mr. Fuller asked, if the straw and vegetable matter from the
barnyard were of no account, how we could enrich soils b}' turning
in green crops, as sometimes practised.

FERTILIZERS. 73

Dr. Sturtevant replied that we put back more than we have taken
from the soil. The onl}- plant food is the inorganic elements and
the nitrogen, and these are conserved from the soil b}' a green
crop, and we can consider green manuring somewhat in the light of
a fallow.

Mr. Fuller said we do not admit that a grown plant has less
nutritious matter than a growing plant.

Dr. Sturtevant said that straw contains a certain proportion of
ash element and nitrogen.

Mr. Fuller asked if there is not more ash in a grown plant than
in an immature one.

Dr. Sturtevant replied, 3'es and no. Much of the ash element
is not essential. Straw takes up much silica ; it can be taken up
in excess. Organic matter is not plant food.

N. B. White, had known many failures of crops in' time of
drought from using dung. It was so in Minnesota last year. He
thought that the place for chemicals ; he had seen many instances
in the west where stable manure dried up, instead of decomposing,
and the crop was poorer than if no dung had been applied.

James Cruickshanks said that he had made eighty bushels of
corn to the acre with barnjard manure.

Dr. Sturtevant said that he could refer to a crop of one hundred
and twenty-three bushels raised with chemicals. He did not wish
to underrate barnyard manure, but simply said that the chemicals
in it can be supplied as well in fertilizers. He did not wish to draw
a comparison between barnyard manure and fertilizers. The
province of fertilizers, if a single element, like superphosphate or
potassa, is to supplement or add to the dung. The complete fertil-
izer is to be used when we are out of dung, and wish to till
additional land. In some cases the organic matter in dung will
give it an advantage, but this opens up other considerations than
those which we are discussing.

]\Iarshall P. Wilder said that all would agree that manure does
contain the ingredients which have been spoken of as essential to
the food of plants, and he thought that Dr. Sturtevant had placed
the matter very fairly. The practical question is. What kind of
manure shall we use? He had always held to making a perfect and
thorough trial, for we have not practical knowledge enough. Mr.
Wilder related an instance where he directed a man to apply a
fertilizer to a plot of celery, and he put a whole bag on one row
10

74 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

and killed it. That was an experiment that taught something — it
showed that a less quantity was sufficient. It is a simple matter
to lay out a piece of land in strips, and apply a fertilizer for a
series of years. He was delighted to hear Dr. Sturtevant say that
farming is more profitable in New J^ngland than anywhere else in
this country, and this view is confirmed by the statistics gathered
hy the Secretary' of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture, and
published in his "Report." It also finds an illustration in the
"Transactions" of the Worcester County Horticultural Society,
from which it appears that there were raised in that county, in
1874, 933,000 bushels of apples, valued at $380,000, and that in
1875 one of the members of that society realized from about three
acres of strawberries, mainly in a gross income of more than $2,000.
P'arming in New England can be made profitable, but not without
manure. '

Mr. Fuller said, that if 3'ou alwa3-s returned to the soil all you
took from it you would not thereby avail much, or gain matter from
what the ground had in reserve for you before. It would be better,
he thought, to ascertain what was needed and add that only ; and
not give all the ingredients of an intended crop.

Mr. Wetherell spoke of the experiments made on the experi-
mental ground of the Cirencester Agricultural College, and reported
by Prof. Wrightson, relative to the use of superphosphate, stating
that three hundred pounds of ordinary mineral superphosphate per
acre gave the most profitable results, it doing best when half of it
was drilled in and the other half broadcasted. In the experiment-
ing four hundred pounds and six hundred pounds wei'e applied, the
latter quantity in some cases giving no larger crops than three hun-
dred pounds, and in others a little more, but not enough to pay the
additional cost, even when three hundred pounds were drilled in
and three hundred pounds broadcasted. The speaker quoted Lawes
as saying that forty-eight bushels of barley per acre was his best
average crop: higher manuring caused it to "run to straw," as
farmers phrase it. Every crop has its limit, beyond which it is not
economical to endeavor to increase the crop. While he did not
doubt that one hundred bushels of corn had been grown upon an
acre, he did doubt the possibility of two hundred bushels and up-
wards per acre. Lawes seemed to succeed in cropping, regardless
of rotation. Why not use a rotation of manures, and thus avoid
the rotation of crops so generally recommended and practised by

FERTILIZERS. 75

farmers ? If the percentage of real chemicals in sta])le manure be
so small as Lawes and Voelcker show, then why not use the former
and save the labor of shovelling and hauling the bulk and great
weight of the latter ?

Mr, Wilder asked if we do not obtain better results from ferti-
lizers in wet seasons than in dry.

Mr. Wetherell replied that we do, adding that the same is true
of stable manure. Farmers in Western Massachusetts had paid
fifteen dollars per cord and upwards for stable manure.

Mr. Wilder remarked that the idea that we can anal3'ze crops and
manures and ascertain what are adapted to each other is sound in
principle, but does not always work well in practice.

Dr. Sturtevant spoke of the danger of drawing general conclu-
sions from limited experiments. It does not follow from Mr. Lawes'
experiments that it would be proper to act upon his practice in
other cases. Hay takes up much water, and land which will not
give half a ton of hay may give sixty bushels of corn per acre.
The water supply is often as essential to be considered as the
dung supply. Lawes has found, but does not pretend to explain it,
that nitrate of soda increases the quantity of moisture in the soil.

Mr. Fuller asked whether it produced that effect continuously for
several j^ears, and remarked that forcing was always a weakening
process.

Dr. Sturtevant said that in twenty-six experimental crops, the
first twelve 3'ears averaged twenty -four bushels ; the second twelve
years showed an increase, with complete fertilizers. From a theo-
retical point of view we have exhausted some element. The pre-
judice against artificial fertilizers has come from the application of
special ingredients. Can a man afford to neglect insurance? When
we apply a complete fertilizer we are getting certainty, which may
be considered in the light of insurance.

The Chairman announced that the subject would be continued
on the next Saturday.

76 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, February 23, 1878.

A meeting for discussion was liolden at 11 o'clock, President
Gray in the cliair. Before tlie subject of Fertilizers, which was
the special assignment for the meeting, was taken up, W. C. Strong,
Chairman of the Committee on Discussion, remarked that discus-
sions which elicited interestiug and valuable information had often
been suggested by the articles presented for exhibition, and called
on James Comley to say something of some fine new roses exhibi-
ted by him.

Mr. Comley spoke particularly of the Souvenir d' Arthur de Sansal
rose, the plant of which was grafted in August, 18.76, and put in
the greenhouse on the 24th of December. He had used a solution
of saltpetre for watering both the roots and foliage of his roses ;
dissolving a piece as large as a walnut in four gallons of water.
He thought this the best fertilizer he had ever used for watering
roses, and it obviates, to a great extent, the necessity of smoking,
which takes the color out of roses. He thought water should be
of the same temperature as the air of the house ; he believed that
more roses were killed by cold water than in any other way. He
would not give much water for three weeks after bringing into the
house. Growers are too apt to neglect their plants after forcing ;
care should be given, as with a grapevine, that the wood becomes
hard and well ripened. If single specimen flowers are wanted they
should be pruned long ; if clusters are desired they should be
pruned closel}'. Mr. Comley said that while man}- growers thought
only of the mone}^ to be made on their roses, he cultivated them
partly from the love of them. Many roses that are ver}^ beautiful
are not profitable. Many of the new French roses are not as good
as the English varieties. Some of the new kinds will surpass the
old ones in freeness of flowering, which is a most important point,
and in color. He would first see to the growth of the plants, and
make them grow as much as he could before the first of June, and
after that would plunge them out of doors. He thought as good
roses could be produced in eight weeks after bringing the plants
into the house, as in a longer time. He has a plant of Sir Garnet

EOSE CULTURE. 77

Wolsele}', -wbich made eight shoots, averaging twelve feet in length,
and expects that next ^-ear it will be a splendid specimen. It is
probabh* on the Prince's stock, which he prefers to the Manetti.
In England they grow too coarsely out of doors on this stock. Mr.
Prince grows the best roses in England ; his stock is only a selected
Dog rose. Instead of collecting old Dog roses from the hedges he
sows the seed and grafts the seedlings when they are one year old.
The grafts groAv more vigorously than on other stocks, and health}'
stocks do not send up suckers. The speaker would never plant
H3'brid Perpetual roses on their own roots, either for forcing or for
out-door culture. He planted a bed of roses for Mr. Merriam, of
Lexington, in common garden soil, spaded about twelve inches
deep, which produced some of the finest roses he had ever seen.
These were on the Prince's stock. Mr. Comley said that he would
prefer perfect medium sized roses to those almost as large as cab-
bages. In applying manure he would keep it near the surface, so
as to attract the roots where they would have the benefit of the sun
and air. lie thought we have among our wild roses as good a stock
as Prince's ; it makes many fibrous roots. He had saved half a
bushel of the seed. For forcing he thought a plant on the Prince's
stock better worth a dollar, than one on the Manetti is worth
twent3'-five cents. There is great risk in forcing new roses ; he has
four kinds out of thirtj'-six which have not a single flower. Their
hardiness is also uncertain. He would not care if it took half a
da}' to cover up a fine rose. We lose a great man}' beautiful
things because they will not take care of themselves. Mr. Comley
gave the following list of roses, which he considered the best new
varieties : Abel Carriere, Duchesse Amelie, Duchesse de Vallom-
brosa, Jean Liabaud, Jean Soupert, John Eraser, John Stuart
Mill, Madame Auguste Eevilliod, Mademoiselle Emilie Verdier,
Rev. J. B. M. Camm, Royal Standard, Souvenir d' Arthur de Sansal,
Souvenir de Louis Van Houtte.

M. H. Merriam corroborated what Mr. Comley had said about
his roses. He had never seen the equal, for abundance, of the best
crops of flowers, and it has been well maintained. They have
received the approving awards of the Society. He was never
troubled with suckers until the last season, and perhaps their
appearance then was owing to not giving sufficient care to the
grafts. The sine qua iwn in forcing roses is an abundance of well
ripened wood. Mr. Merriam said that he had corresponded with

78 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Professor Stockbridge in relation to special fertilizers for roses, and
was of opinion that the use of iron in some form is desirable. He
had seen fugitive paragraphs recommending its use. "Whatever
the color of roses there is always a notable presence of iron in the
flowers. It also gives vigor to the growth and color to the foliage.
He believed, also, that the exhalations from ammonia, placed on the
pipes in the greenhouse, were advantageous.

The subject of " Fertilizers," assigned for this meeting, was then
taken up, and John B. Moore was called on as a cultivator who,
whether he showed a rose, a strawberry, or a grape, had evidently
given it something to eat which it liked.

Mr. Moore said that the question how to get manure is the most
important one which farmers and gardeners have to meet today.
We can grow crops if we can get manure, but the manure must not
cost more than the crops. There is a difference of opinion among
cultivators as to stable manure and chemical fertilizers. Some say
" we will use onl}^ manure," meaning animal excrements, and some
sa}' " we will use only chemical fertilizers." In the view of the
speaker both classes were wrong. He believed that every farmer
should save all the dung and other waste of the farm for manure,
and bu}' all that his means would allow. But this source of manure
is soon exhausted, yet the farmer finds the wants of his land un-
supplied, and he must have something more. From his own ex-
perience and from the study of scientific books an intelligent farmer
will come to the conclusion that each crop must have some special
fertilizer. There is no doubt that certain crops require a larger
amount of some particular element than is supplied by stable ma-
nure. Onions, for instance, require a large quantit}" of potash, as
is shown not only bj' chemical analysis, but b}- the fact that there
is no better fertilizer for onions than wood ashes. They also re-
quire sulphur, and this and the potash may be conveniently applied
in the form of sulphate of potash. The speaker advised farmers,
instead of buying mixed fertilizers, of the genuineness of which
they could not tell anything, to buy the particular articles which
their crops need. Dealers say "If you will apply the complete
fertilizer you will be all right," but they know nothing of the various
soils to which it is to be applied, and are like a ph3sician attempt-
ing to prescribe for a patient fift}- miles away. Farmers sliould not
leave it to other men to tell them what they should themselves know

FERTILIZERS. 79

about their land. The}' must use their own brains, and, while not
relying on chemists, should avail themselves of their labors. Chemists
can tell what is good for crops, but they cannot tell as well as the
farmer, what his soil needs. It is an impossibilit}' to make an
analysis of a soil which shall be of value to a farmer ; a soil may
show, b}' chemical analysis, much potash when there is none in a
form available for plant food. It does not require a great deal of
knowledge or a great deal of time for a farmer to post himself up b}'
stud^' of the anah'ses of crops by Professor Goessman, or of other
analyses which he will find in chemical works, so that he can buy
understandingly all the simple elements that he needs, and apply
them to his crops. The farmers must use barnyard manure as
the basis of the plant food for all their crops, and then apply the
particular element required by any crop in greater amount than is
needed for other crops, or than is supplied by barnyard manure.
They must use their own brains, and stud}' their own soils.

N. B. White said that Prof. Atwater's advice to farmers not to
use complete fertilizers, but to experiment and ascertain the needs
of their soils, reminded him of the mother who would not let her bo}'
go into the water until he had learned to swim. Farmers cannot
wait to find out about their soils by experiment. Mr. White
believed that none of the soils in New England had an excess of
any of the elements of plant food, and therefore thought well of
complete fertilizers.

The Chairman of the Committee on Discussion announced that
as next Saturday was prize da}- for Hybrid Perpetual Roses, the
subject of forcing roses would be again discussed.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, March 2, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock.
President Gray in the chair.

The Secretar}- read a letter from John G. Barker, resigning his
position as Chairman and member of the Committee on Plants and

80 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Flowers. On motion of Herve}' Davis it was voted tliat the

resignation be accepted.

On motion of John C. Hovey, it was unanimously

Besolved, That the thanks of this Societ}^ be extended to J. G.

Barker, for his long and faithful services as member and Chairman

of the Flower Committee.

It was moved by William C. vStrong that the polls be opened for
twenty minutes for the reception of votes for a member to fill the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Barker. E. H. Hitch-
ings moved to amend this motion so as to provide for the choice of
a member of the Flower Committee. The Secretary' stated the
usage in similar cases, and the motion, as amended, w^as carried.

On motion of W. C. Strong, it w^as voted that the Committee on
Plants and Flowers be empowered to elect a chairman.

The President appointed John C. Hovey, W. C. Strong, and E.
H. Hitchings, a Committee to receive, assort, and count the votes
for a member of the Flower Committee. Mr. Hovey dechned, and
E. W. Buswell was appointed in his place. The polls were opened
at fifteen minutes past eleven.

On motion of W. C. Strong, it was

Voted, That the Recording Secretary be directed to place on
record the Report of the Committee to procure a site for a new
Hall, presented February 7, 1863, and also the letter from E. S.
Rand, Sr., accompanying said report.

W. C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee to present a Testi-
monial to Ex-President Parkraan, reported that the Committee had
procured and presented to Mr Parkman three crayon photographs,
as an expression of the Society's appreciation of his services as
■President. In this connection Mr. Strong spoke of the high esti-
mation in which the hybrid lily raised by Mr. Parkman, and bearing
his name, is held in England, as evinced by the large remittances
received from the English nurserj^man to whom the bulbs were
entrusted for propagation,

Marshall P. Wilder expressed his gratification that Mr. Parkman
had, by the application of scientific principles, been able to produce
such a Hly, which he deemed a great credit to the Society as well
as to Ex-President Parkman,

Mr. Wilder said that having worked with the Society for nearly

WINDOW GARDENING, ETC. 81

fift}' 3'ears, and being desirous of leaving some footprints on the
sands, lie had collected his addresses and other writings, from 1848
to 1877, and caused them to be bound into a volume, which he
presented to the Society, in the hope that it might cause him to be
remembered with affectionate regard when he should have passed
from the stage. He also presented a Wilder Medal of the Ameri-
can Pomological .Society', bearing his own likeness and the beautiful
wreath of fruits and flowers, designed by John J. Thomas, the
eminent pomologist, and said that the American Pomological So-
ciety, now extending over the whole country, was formed at the
instance of the Massachusetts Horticultural Societ}'.

William C. Strong expressed his gratification that Mr. Wilder
had collected these addresses in a permanent form, and moved a
vote of thanks to this old and steadfast friend of the Societ}' for
the volume and medal.

Rev. A. B. Muzzey seconded Mr. Strong's motion. He looked
on Mr. Wilder as the representative of our work, not only in a
State but in a National point of view, and said it was not likely that
we should often have an opportunity to recognize such a long, active,
and honorable life in the service of horticulture.

President Gray, in putting the question on the motion offered by
Mr. Strong, took occasion to express his appreciation of the value
to the Society, and to horticulture generally, of the services ren-
dered by Mr. Wilder in the long and active life commemorated by
the documents and medal. The vote of thanks was unanimousl}'
passed.

The President read the following communication received by him :

The undersigned, interested in advancing a practical taste for
Floriculture, especially among the children of the laboring classes,
desire that the Massachusetts Horticultural Societj'' shall offer
prizes for Window Gardening, and conduct all the business of
advertising, exhibiting, and awarding prizes, necessar}' to insure

success.

RuFus Ellis,
Henry W. Foote,
C. A. Bartol.

The President stated that the measure would involve no expense
to the Society. It was

Voted, That the Flower Committee, with Mrs. J. W. Wolcott,
11

82 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, and Mrs. E. M. Gill, be a Special Com-
mittee to fix and award prizes for Window Gardening, agreeably
to the above communication, and to conduct all the business neces-
sary to insure the success of the object therein proposed.

The polls for the election of a member of the Flower Committee
were closed at twenty-five minutes before twelve, and the Commit-
tee to receive and count the votes reported as follows :

Whole number of votes, 104

Henry Ross had 75

and was declared elected a member of the Flower Committee.
Meeting dissolved.

It was intended to hold a meeting for the discussion of Rose
Culture at the close of the business meeting, but so much time hav-
ing been consumed by the unusual amount of business, and the
principal rose-growers being more interested in the beautiful exhi-
bition in the Hall than in the discussion, it was postponed until the
next Saturda3\

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, March 9, 1878.

A meeting for discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, President
Gray in the chair. Subject, Rose Culture.

Wilham C. Strong alluded to the remarks made by James
Comley at the previous meeting concerning stocks for roses, and
especially the Prince's stock. These remarks suggested an inquiry
as to the cause of the diseased condition of the Marechal Niel rose,
when budded on other stocks, particularly the Manetti, the wood
swelling and cracking. This raised the question as to the proper
stock for that rose, and opened the whole subject of the mutual
influence of the stock and graft. The influence of the graft on the
stock is plainly shown in the abutilon. The speaker had budded
the Abutilon vexillarium pictum on the plain type, and the bud so
inoculated the stock that a shoot springing out several feet below
the graft was variegated, though showing the type of the large

ROSE CULTURE. 83

leaf. The wood of the Mauetti is so different from that of the
Marechal Niel, that it is unfit for a stock for tliat variety. "We
should seek for stocks similar in texture to the graft. The Laure
Davoust he thought well suited for a stock for tender roses.

Mr. Strong recurred to the subject of the mutual influence of
stock and graft, and said that it was of great interest to all culti-
vators. Much disappointment had been experienced in the use of
the quince as a stock for the pear ; it is not as hardy as is desirable,
is subject to the borer, and requires a rich soil. Mr. Strong had
been engaged in the culture of the Cydonia Japonica for hedge
purposes, and was led to consider its fitness as a stock for the pear.
It is thought by botanists to be more closely allied to the pear than
is the common quince, being sometimes placed in the genus Py)-us.
When grown for hedges or ornament it is propagated by cuttings
of the root, and forms irregular bushes, with many suckers ; but
when grown from seed it makes clean, handsome plants. It is not
a free fruiting plant, but the speaker was fortunate in obtaining a
sufficient quantity of the seed to raise fifteen thousand plants,
which averaged two feet in height the first season, but were not as
stocky as pear seedlings. A small quantit}' of Cydonia Japonica
seedlings were budded last summer with pears, which took per-
fectly, and the buds look as well this spring as those on the pear.
The indications are so favorable that Mr. Strong was encouraged
to hope that this is destined to become a valuable stock for dwarf
culture of the pear. For the purpose of proving this question he
has planted out two acres of stocks for budding this summer. The
Bartlett pear does not succeed on the quince, for the same reason
that the Marechal Niel does not succeed on the Manetti stock — the
difference in the texture of the wood. The late John Fisk Allen,
who exhibited very large Seckel pears, believed that their size was
increased by grafting on large fruited varieties, like the Beurre
Diel. Roses on Manetti stocks produce larger flowers than those
ou their own roots, except very strong growing kinds. In answer
to an inquiry b}- Marshall P. Wilder, Mr. Strong said that he had
not observed any other plant than the abutilon where the stock was
inoculated by the scion.

Mr. Wilder said that the influence of the variegated abutilon on
the stock had been noticed in Europe, but that it was not always
certain. He had tried the experiment himself, and all the shoots
from the stock came without variegations. There is no doubt that

84 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

it is desirable to have an aflinity between the stock and scion, but
the subject is little understood. He believed that the character of
the cellular tissue of wood had an influence on the graft, and that
when the texture of the scion and stock did not agree they would
not succeed. There are some pears, such as the Cross, which seem
to kill every stock the}' are grafted on. He had had two vigorous
Do3'enne Boussock trees killed by grafting with Cross ; it seems to
poison them. At present we can onl}!- ascertain by experiment
whether a scion and stock are suited to each other, but the instances
mentioned arc sufficient to show that there is an influence of the
scion on the stock, as well as of the stock on the scion. The
Beurre Bosc i)ear makes long roots, but when grafted on other
kinds it produces a mass of fibrous roots.

Mr. Strong remarked that the Cross pear would not kill the stock
if suckers were allowed to grow.

President Gray said that there is no doubt that variegated pelar-
goniums, when grafted on plain kinds, sometimes cause the stock to
send out variegated shoots. The best plant of Marechal Niel that
he had ever seen was on the Lamarque stock, and was probably
double-worked. He alluded to Mr. Strong's statement that the
seedling plants of Cydonia Japonica are far more vigorous than
those raised from cuttings, and said that the Prince's stock for roses
was simply a Dog rose raised from seed, by which a new plant,
from top to bottom was obtained. Plants grafted on it grow well
for two or three j-ears, without suckers, and should be planted deep
enough for the graft to make its own roots. For two or three years
3^ou get better roses from the Manetti ; by that time they have
made their own roots. In England every rose is grafted on the
stock which experience has proved best adapted for it, and hence
in a lot of imported roses we find a variety of stocks.

Mr. Wilder said, in reply to an inquiry by Mr. Strong, that the
Manetti rose had flowered and produced seed in his grounds. It
has a semi-double flower.

President Gray alluded to Mr. Comley's statement at the pre-
vious meeting, that he had saved seed from a brier growing in a
swamp. He would prefer seed from a plant growing in a well
drained place, to raise stocks for budding roses on.

Mr. Strong asked if any one had had experience in the use of
our native Dog rose as a stock.

Mr. Wilder wished to know whether stocks procured in the fields
could be relied on as being all of the same variety.

ROSE CULTURE. 85

Mr. Strong thought that though roses sport when grown from
seed, the}^ could be relied on as stocks. At Mr. Wood's place, in
Natick, he saw two fine plants of Mar^chal Niel said to be on Dog
rose stocks, but he thought the}' were not adapted to this variety.

CM. Atkinson endorsed everything that the President had said.
The Prince's stock is not as distinct as the Manetti ; it is nothing
but the English Dog rose raised from seed. The Avide hedges of
weeds, brambles, etc., from which roses for stocks were furmerl}'
procured in England, are now being removed and wire fences sub-
stitiited. Consequently Dog roses are getting scarce, and Mr.
Prince, who is a nurseryman, seeing this, has gathered the hips and
grown them from seed, producing a better stock than the wild ones
formerly- collected, but it is not adapted to weak growing kinds.
It is necessary to ascertain by trial what stock is adapted to each
variety. Some kinds will not throw out roots from the grafts, but
most will after twelve months. He did not want a kind that would
not root from the graft. In his opinion the Dog rose requires too
long a state of rest to be adapted for a stock for tender roses for
house culture. Laure Davoust, Lamarque, and Solfaterre are better,
and the Banksian is best of all. He did not think the Dog rose of
this country worthy of consideration as a stock ; the wood is small
and wiry and the bark hard.

Mr. Strong dissented from Mr. Atkinson on the last point. He
thought our Dog rose quite as strong as the English. He could
show Mr. Atkinson hundreds of specimens that he would have to
look up to.

President Gra}- said that nobody takes proper care of roses on
their own roots. They will take a great deal more feeding than
grafted roses. He did not think weak growing kinds worth culti-
vating.

Robert Murray had never been able to make a bud grow on the
native rose.

M. H. Merriam thought that in cases of variegation the affinity
between the stock and scion is ver^- close, and this goes to
strengthen the point urged here of the desirableness of such atlinit}-.
His roses are all grafted on the Prince's stock, and he believed that
with weak growing varieties the stock would assert its pre-eminence,
and must be very closely watched. He had lost man}- by neglect,
but the strong growing kinds are as good as ever. He thought
none had got on their own roots, though planted sufliciently long.

86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Strong agreed with the President that for general purposes
it is better to have roses on their own roots, but for the florist
would have some kinds on Manetti or other stock of vigorous
growth. Tlie roots will absorb more water and endure more varia-
tions.

President Gra^' said that in his previous remarks he referred only
to out-door roses.

Mr. Strong, as Chairman of the Committee on Publication and
Discussion, announced that Part II of the Transactions of the
Society for 1877 was ready, and could be had on application to the
Secretary, and that on the next Saturday the subject for discussion
would be the Culture of Small Fruits.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, March 16, 1878.

A meeting for Discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, W. C. Strong,
Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion, in the
chair.

The subject assigned, the Culture of Small Fruits, was opened
by A. D. Capen, who spoke particularly of the strawberry, and re-
marked on the necessity of constant care and watchfulness on the-
])art of those who attempted the cultivation of this fruit, and on the
importance of novices' learning all the}^ could from the experience
of others. Mr. Capen spoke of the great difference in the results'
with the same variety in different locations, and instanced the north
and south sides of Charles River. He could not do anything with
the Hovey's Seedhng, but succeeded with the Charles Downing.
His o-veat difficulty had been in feeding his plants ; he had got too
much foliage. The Charles Downing was in season for a long time
with him, beginning to ripen earlier and continuing later than most
kinds. He had had this variety with leaf stems fifteen inches long,
and the fruit stems from ten to fourteen inches long, and stand-
ino- more thickly than he had ever seen elsewhere. The crop was
found to be from six to seven thousand quarts per acre.

CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 87

The Chairman read from the last report of the Fruit Committee
the following : "Much has heen said in favor of the Monarch of
the West, Star of the West, and the Great American, but we be-
lieve either of those raised by Mr. Moore is in all respects superior
to an}' of them." He inquired whether the varieties named, and
especially the Great American, were so well tested as to warrant
the comparison.

Benjamin G. Smith, a member of the Fruit Committee, replied
that the specimens exhibited were from plants set last spring.

The Chairman regretted the expression, and thought that we
should be very careful in regard to giving opinions on fruits that
we know little of.

E. P. Richardson was disposed to think the Monarch of the West
better than was implied in the report of the Fruit Committee. One
of his neighbors w^ho has cultivated it with the Wilson, is inclined
to substitute it for the Wilson as a market variety. The specimens
shown at our exhibition were very large, but of poor color.

Mr. Smith said that he had given special attention to the culture
of the currant and gooseberry. He found it impossible to produce
the best results without vigorous foliage. He trenched and enriched
his soil to the depth of from twent3'-four to thirty-six inches. He
mulched his gooseberries with salt hay, and used a solution of
sulphur and lime to prevent mildew on the foreign varieties. He
pruned very severely, shortening the young wood, excepting the
terminal shoots, to one or two ej^es. For strawberries he had used
a compost of one-fourth hen manure and three-fourths leaf mould.
He had found the Dorchester blackberry extremely liable to be
winter-killed.

The Chairman remarked that the Wachuset Thornless blackberry
had been highly recommended in Worcester county, and called on
O. B. Hadwen, Ex-President of the Worcester Count}' Horticultural
Society, for information as to its character.

Mr. Hadwen had seen it under very favorable circumstances, and
producing abundant crops. He had seen a row two hundred feet
in length covered with a larger crop of fruit than he had ever seen
on any other variety, wild or cultivated. It is perfectly hardy. It
is grown largely by Thomas A. Dawson, of Worcester, and Mr.
Hadwen had visited his grounds, and had never seen one
winter-killed. Mr. Dawson's soil is a light loam. The Wachuset
is not as large as the Kittatinny, but fully as large as the Dorches-

88 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ter, and very good in quality. It should not be grown in the
shade. Mr. Hadwen considered it perfectly hard}-, and a promis-
ing variety.

Mr. Hadwen* then spoke of the strawberry, which, he said, stands
first on the list of small fruits, being the most acceptable berrj' to
ever^- one. Many varieties have had their da}', and passed awa}'.
In Worcester county the Charles Downing is recommended as the
best variet}', where only one kind can be planted. It combines
more virtues and has fewer defects than any other. It is produc-
tive, and acceptable in the family, and fair Tor the market. It
adapts itself to a great variety of soils and adverse circumstances.
The Wilson still stands first for market onh\

Mr. Smith remarked that in Cambridge the Charles Downing
succeeded on a sandy soil, but failed on cla}', and asked Mr. Had-
wen whether the case was the same in Worcester.

Mr. Hadwen rephed that his soil is a stiff loam on a cla}'^ subsoil,
and that the Charles Downing succeeds admirabl}^ in it.

J. 8. Martin said that the Charles Downing succeeded well in his
soil, which is sandy.

Mr. Hadwen went on to speak of the best time for planting
strawberries, which, under ordinary circumstances, he considered
the spring. It is not onh^ better but cheaper to plant then. If
neglected in spring it ma}' be done in autumn, but if deferred until
that time the plants must be taken up with balls of earth, put in
rich ground, and watered. Market gardeners would not plant in
autumn, for it would cost three times as much as in spring, and the
risk of failure would be much greater.

Mr. Martin had planted in autumn and found no difference in the
cost, and had never lost a plant.

Mrs. H. L. T. Wolcott had planted strawberries in summer,
after taking off a crop of early peas. They bore well the next
season, and a year's time was saved by fall planting.

The Chairman said that, owing to the greater care required, the
cases of fall planting must be limited to a small extent. In the
instance mentioned by Mrs. Wolcott, an important advantage was
undoubtedly gained by fall planting.

Mr. Capen asked whether Mr. Hadwen would take up a ball of
earth with his strawberry plants, if he were setting out an acre.

Mr. Hadwen did not suppose that an}' one would think of plant-
ino- an acre of strawberries in autumn. Besides the disadvantages

CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 89

previousl}' mentioned, is the much greater danger of their being
thrown out by frost than if planted in spring. In his remarks he
had reference to Worcester county.

Mr. Capen spoke of a neighl)or who planted an acre of straw-
berries with selected plants, drawing the roots through his hand,
and setting in a hole made with a dibble, pouring in water at the
same time. The speaker preferred not to use a trowel or dibble ;
he wanted the soil so thoroughly' pulverized that he could set the
plants with his hands. He had a man to precede the planter, and
fork over that part of the ground where the rows would come, and
called him back whenever he found a lump. He pulverized the
soil between the rows with a plough afterwards. He wetted the
roots of his plants before setting, and had had a better crop of
Downing, Cutter, and Hooker, the first year, from plants set in
Ma}^, than is often seen on beds set a year. He considered the
middle of May early enough to plant strawberries, and would wait
longer if it was xery dry at that time. On plants set as late as the
second of June he had had a fine crop the next year.

Mr. Had wen was asked whether the statement in the " Trans-
actions of the Worcester Count}^ Horticultural Society," that
William H. Earle had received for the produce of three acres of
land, a large proportion of which was strawberries, more than two
thousand dollars, was correct. He replied that it was, and gave
some account of IVIr. Earle's method of cultivation. He plants in
rows, three rows in a bed, the middle one being eighteen inches
from each of the outer ones, and the plants twelve inches apart in
the rows. He leaves a space of two feet between the beds, which
are three feet wide. His land is favorabh' situated, at the base of
a hill. He cultivates deepl}', manures highl}-, and neglects nothing
that will afford food to the plants. Late in autumn he mulches
heavil}' with pine leaves, hay, or straw, and leases the mulching on
late in the spring, especiall}' for late kinds, and even then the mulch
is not wholly removed, but onl}- a small space is opened over the
crown of each plant, a portion of the mulch being left between the
rows. In this way the fruit is kept clean, and always presents a
bright, attractive appearance. He sets out his plants in the spring,
allows no weeds, and does not cultivate until the crop has been
gathered. He cultivates b}- hand, using an implement with a wheel.
He gives the plants a great deal of water. Mr. Hadwen added
that the best results in strawberry culture could not be attained
12

90 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

without great care, but it pays. Strawberries will not endure
neglect.

Marshall P. Wilder, alluding to the statement that Mr. Earle
gives his plants a great deal of water, spoke of the remark made
by John B. Moore at one of these meetings, that he turned the
Concord water-works on to his beds, until they were so wet that
the foot sank in six inches in walking over them. Mr. Wilder also
reaffirmed a statement of his own, quoted by Mr. Earle in his essay
in the Worcester Report, that the first, second, and third things in
strawberry culture were water, more water, and still more water,
during the growing season.

Mr. Capen said that in strawberry culture, as with many other
pursuits, we hear of the successes, but not of the failures, and he
thought Mr. Earle's success an exception to the general rule. Mr.
Capen said that he made his rows four and a half feet apart and
let the plants run. They cover the ground so that alley's have to
be cut between the rows. He thought that the plants needed
stimulants before water.

N. B. White would add one other condition — thorough drain-
age. He wetted the roots of his plants as Mr. Capen did, and set
them on the same plan as Mr. Earle. His land was underdrained
to the depth of three feet, and currant bushes planted in it attained
a diameter of an inch in three years. If he were selecting a new
place he would look out for good drainage and plenty of water.
Fall planting had so man}" disadvantages that he would not recom-
mend it. The Monarch of the West did not favorabl}' impress him
the first year, but the plants were hard}', rooted deeph^, and
endured dry weather. Mr. White alluded also to his success in
grafting grapes, first cutting the roots so as to prevent a redun-
danc}' of sap.

The Chairman agreed with Mr. White that the habit of growth
of the Monarch of the West is exceptionally vigorous. The berries
are fair and symmetrical, but not abundant or of first qualit3\
The soil on which his plants grew is a deep alluvial — fine for the
growth of plants.

Mr. Wilder thought the autumn a very improper time to plant
strawberries. He had never had sufficient success at that season
to pay for the labor of planting.

The Chairman thought it might be desirable under certain cir-
cumstances. He alluded to the method recommended by Peter

CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 91

Henderson of preparing plants for forcing, by lading the runners
in small pots. The speaker thought it better to pot 3'oung plants
in spring, and shift into larger pots as the plants grew, by which
large, fat crowns, full of fruit buds, would be read}' when wanted
for forcing. He thought that forcing strawberries might be made
profitable. He believed also that they might be forwarded to
advantage in cold graperies, and called on E. W. Wood for his
opinion on this point.

Mr. Wood thought there would be but little time gained. He
had commonl}' taken up his grape vines from the twelfth to the
fifteenth of April, and it is not desirable to give extra heat before
that time. In March he throws open the windows of his grapery
at top and bottom ; to keep them closed would injure the vines.

Mr. Wood spoke of the importance of these discussions as a
means of diffusing information as to the best varieties of fruit, and
especiall}' as to the value of new fruits. The onl}^ opportunity to
judge of new varieties is at the exhibitions, and it is impossible to
tell from merely seeing a fruit whether or not it is desirable for
general cultivation. He had been disappointed with the results of
his own cultivation of Mr. Moore's new seedling strawberries, of
which he had tested three varieties. From a row of the Belle, two
hundred feet long, he did not pick a peck of berries, and the plants
came out stinted in the spring, and the leaves curled. His experi-.
ence was the same last year, but perhaps the plants need the
"Concord sand," in which Mr. Moore says he grows his straw-
berries. ISIr. Wood's soil is a strong loam with a clay subsoil.

Last year Mr. Wood tried the experiment of planting straw-
berries in August, though he had previously believed it useless to
set them at that season. A crop of early potatoes had just been
taken from the ground. He dibbled a hole and filled it with water,
and did not lose a dozen out of seven or eight hundred plants. He
learned the method from a vegetable grower.

Mr. Smith, being asked his experience with the varieties of
strawberry mentioned by Mr. Wood, replied that it was the same
as Mr. Wood's. The Grace produced a fair crop and the Caroline
an abundant one, while the Belle proved a shy bearer.

Mr. Wood spoke of the Versaillaise currant as a good grower,
and an abundant bearer, while a row of Dana's Transparent, along-
side of the Versaillaise, had produced but a very small crop.

The Chairman remarked that man}- persons considered the Ver-

92 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

saillaise and Cherry currants identical, but in his view there was a
difference in the foliage.

Mr. Smith said that some years ago he exhibited fruit of the
Versaillaise currant, which grew on plants procured from William
H. Barnes, who had the variety from Maisliall P. Wilder, who
originally introduced it into this country-. The basket was decided
by the Fruit Committee to contain a mixture of the Versaillaise and
Cherry, and consequently Mr. Smith failed of the prize, which, he
thought, would otherwise have been awarded to him. The next
year a row which he had for the Cherry currant bore fruit, and he
selected the long bunches from both rows, exhibited them as Ver-
saillaise, and received the first prize. The London Horticultural
Society had instituted a careful test of all the reputed varieties of
the currant, and the conclusion, as respects the Cherry and Ver-
saillaise, was that they are identical.

Mr. Wilder said that many years ago he imported from Europe a
large number of varieties, including the Cherry, Versaillaise, and
Fertile de Palluau, from M. Bertin, the originator of the Versail-
laise. The Cherr}' and Versaillaise are very much alike except in
quality, the former being decidedly- more acid than the latter.
Both have long and short bunches, but those of the Versaillaise
will average longer than those of the Cherry. The American
Pomological Societ}^ has decided that the Cherry is inferior in
qualit}' to the Versaillaise.

The Chairman said that the Cherry is more acid and water}- than
the Versaillaise. The growth of the Cherry as compared with the
Versaillaise, is more stubbed and shorter jointed, the habit of
growth resembling that of the Seckel pear as compared with the
Bartlett. He had his plants from M. Transon, of Orleans.

Mr. Wilder said that the statement of the Chairman concerning
the difference in growth of the two varieties was correct.

Mr. Hadwen had plants under both names from the late John
Milton Earle, well known as a most accurate pomologist, and for
many years thought them different, the long bunches being Versail-
laise and the short. Cherry, but closer examination showed that there
was not as much difference as he supposed. He found both kinds
growing in the same row, and he thought that the more closely we
observed the less difference we should find. If the difference is so
slight as to puzzle the most careful liorticulturists, it is of little con-
sequence. To show how the same kind is liable to vary, Mr. Had-

CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 93

wen said that a gentlemen in Worcester exhibited what appeared
to be five difierent varieties of tomato, from one plant. The White
Gondouin, Mr. Had wen thought quite distinct from any other
currant, in berry and bush, and with a decided difference in flavor.
It is not as prolific as the White Grape, but it is the sweetest of all
currants.

The Chairman announced that the subject would be continued on
the next Saturday.

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, March, 23, 1878.

A meeting for discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, W. C.
Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion,
presiding. The subject was the same as that of the last meeting,
the Culture of Small Fruits.

The question of the identit}' of the Versaillaise and Cherry currants
came up again, and was discussed at some length, the opinion that,
while they strongly resemble each other, they are, nevertheless,
distinct, decidedly preponderating. N. B. White thought that
nurserymen had the two varieties mixed. The Chairman said that
it was easy to perpetuate confusion when once introduced among
varieties resembling each other. He had noticed a difference in
the wood and habit of growth of the two varieties, jet it was eas}'
for the best judges to mistake in fruit exhibited. He had a large
plantation, partly Cherrj" and partly Versaillaise, which he should
examine more closely than ever before, and he thought that after
hearing what had been said in regard to these two currants we
should all put on our glasses and watch them with more care.

The Chairman remarked that nothing was said of the raspberry in
the discussion of the previous week. He thought it a fruit of more
importance than the market would indicate. Many new and highly-
praised kinds were offered, some of which were sold as high as a
dollar a plant. Among others little cultivated here, the Brandj-wine
is receiving much attention. On inquiry' it appeared that no one
present had cultivated this variety.

E. P. Richardson had cultivated the Philadelphia for t]\ree oi*

94 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

four years. It is a great bearer, but only second rate in size and
flavor, while it is a great deal of work to pick them. Mr. Richard-
son inquired why the highest prize for raspberries was awarded to
the Saunders over the Herstine. He thought the appearance of the
latter far superior to that of the former.

E. W. Wood, a member of the Fruit Committee, replied that the
Committee were unanimous in the opinion that in quality the
Saunders was superior to the Herstine. Mr. Wood referred to the
Hornet Raspberry, exhibited for several 3'ears by William H.
Barnes, which he thought promising. He also spoke of the
Narragansett raspberry, a native of Providence, and exhibited here
by the originator, from whom the speaker procured plants. These
plants bore a second crop, which ripened in October, and he then
picked a considerable quantity. The canes which bear this second
crop die after it is ripe.

N. B. White and B. G. Smith said that the Hornet has the same
characteristic.

Mr. Richardson had cultivated the Narragansett, and discarded
it. He thought the Merveille de Quatre Saisons a magnificent
raspberry for amateur cultivation.

The Chairman remarked that the Catawissa was the most produc-
tive of all the ever bearing varieties, but was valueless for the
market.

Marshall P. Wilder said that he imported the Hornet and another
variety raised by M. Souchet, more than twenty years ago. The
Hornet is the largest of all raspberries ; it is not of first quahty,
but is a strong grower and bears fairly. The other variety' raised
by M. Souchet was a white one, and bears the name of the origi-
nator. It is a most abundant bearer, and, parting freely from the
core, is very easily gathered. Mr. Wilder tliought he had picked
more from it than from an}' other kind, and regarded it as one of
his standard varieties. He did not think the Philadelphia worth
growing. Knevett's Giant is a splendid variety. The histories of
this and of the Franconia ijesemble each other, and are quite curious.
The Knevett's Giant was sent from England to Mr. Wilder, by
Messrs. Chandler & Co., with a lot of camellias. Mr. Wilder
afterwards wrote to Messrs. Chandler for more, and was informed
that the little bundle sent him was brought in by an unknown per-
son, and was all they had ever had of the variety. The first intro-
duction of the Franconia was by two plants sent by Vilmorin, of
Paris, to Samuel G. Perkins, Cvlva which all those in the country

CULTURE OF SMALL FRUITS. 95

have originated. Neither the Knevett's Giant nor Franconia are
found in any European Catalogue.

B. G. Smith had grown the Franconia for fifteen jenrs from the
same stoclv, and 3'ear before last took the first prize with it.

J . W. Manning questioned whether there bad been an}' impi'ove-
ment in raspberries for the last fort}' years. He had grown the
Franconia an inch in diameter. Knevett's Giant is not as hard}'
as the Franconia. The Belle de Fontena}- and MerA^eille de Quatre
Saisons are ver}'^ much the same as the Knevett's, in habit of
growth, appearance of the fruit, and in bearing a crop in autumn
on the new wood.

Mr. Richardson thought the Brinckle's Orange the finest rasp-
berry for family use. He inquired why raspberries sometimes pro-
duced fruits with onl}- a few of the grains developed. He thought
it probabl}' owing to a defect in the fertilization of the flowers.
The Narragansett is particularly objectionable on this account.

Robert Manning said that in raising raspberries from seed, as in
raising native grapes from seed, a large proportion of the plants
will be entirel}' barren. Man}^ others will bear onl}' imperfect
berries, and there seems to be a tendency in some of the standard
varieties towai'ds this condition. The only practical suggestion
which the speaker had to make, was that in propagating, suckers
should be selected from those plants and stools only which bore
perfect fruit. The Franconia, he thought, from its firmness, most
valual)le for market. Its spirited acid makes it desirable for pre-
serving. After it is gathered its texture and flavor both become
mellowed, and twenty-four hours after picking it is better for the
table than when just picked. Knevett's Giant is earlier than the
Franconia, and fine for famil}' use. It sometimes adheres slightly
to the core in picking. The old White Antwerp and Brinckle's
Orange are the finest for eating as " hand fruits."

Mr. Wilder said, in answer to an inquiry as to the value of the
Black Cap raspberries, that they are earlier than the others (as the
children soon find out), and valuable on that account. Davison's
Thornless is one of the best.

The Chairman said that the McCormick or Mammoth Cluster is
the largest and best of the Black Cap class, and also very prolific.

J. W. Manning agreed with the Chairman, and added that the
Souhegan is a new variety and highly recommended.

Mr. Richardson had tested the Golden Thornless and found it
worthless. This was confirmed by several gentlemen.

96 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Wilder said that no "White Black Cap" is worth growing.
They are all of a disagreeable ' ' mulatto " color.

Robert Manning alluded to the statement made by Mr. Wood,
as to the unproductiveness of the Dana's Transparent currant,
which he thought liable to produce a wrong impression. He had
two short rows of Versaillaise and Dana's Transparent, side by
side, and the latter, though not so vigorous as the former, was
quite satisfactory both as to growth and productiveness.

Mr. Wood said that his plants of Dana's Transparent growing
among his pear trees, drop their foliage when the fruit is about
two-thirds growii, while the Versaillaise retains its foliage.

Mrs. E. M. Gill had had the same experience as Mr. Wood with
the Dana's Transparent, though well watered. Red currants, under
the same treatment, did not lose their foliage.

Mr. Smith had been very successful with Dana's Transparent ;
the foliage did not drop. He watered and mulched the plants.

Henry Ross said that Mr. Wood's Versaillaise currants were
superior to those which he raised himself. He had grown seven or
eight varieties, and thought the Red Dutch the sweetest of all the
red currants.

J. W. Manning thought the Lovett's Red or Improved Red,
originated man}' years ago b}- Capt. Josiah Lovett, a most skilful
cultivator, the sweetest red currant. It is a great bearer.

Robert Manning thought the Red Dutch superior in qualit}' to
the Versaillaise, and the White Dutch superior to either the Dana's
Transparent or the White Grape.

Mr. Wood spoke of seeing fruit of the Versaillaise at Mr.
Wilder' s grounds when first introduced, and of the skepticism of a
friend to whom he spoke of it, as to its being so much larger than
the Red Dutch, but who gave up and owned himself beaten when a
basket of the fruit was shown him. Mr. Wood thought the Dutch
no better in quality than the Versaillaise.

Daniel T. Curtis had seen a berry of the Versaillaise measuring
two and one-eighth inches in circumference. He spoke of the
skilful culture of the currant and gooseberry by the late Thomas
Dowse, of Cambridgeport, who preserved the fruit on the bushes
until October.

The Chairman announced that an Essay on " Peat as a Fertilizer
and an Absorbent," would be read by H. Weld Fuller, on the next
Saturday.

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 97

MEETING FOR DISCUSSION.

Saturday, March 30, 1878.

A meeting for Discussion was holden at 11 o'clock, W. C.
Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and Discussion,
presiding. Tlie following essa}' was read by the author, H. Weld
Fuller, of Boston : —

Peat as an Absorbent and as a Fertilizer.

Agriculture is admitted to be one of the great pillars of the
state. The health, the wealth, the contentment, growth and happi-
ness of a people depend upon it for support. Without the plough-
share and pruning-hook, the sword and lance would become useless
in war ; and in peace there would be no fixed habitations and little
increase in population. But, to lift us above the savage life, agri-
culture must have brains and manures. The farm requires a good
supply of both. He is the best farmer who uses both to the best
advantage. Soils are as various as the persons who till them ; and
the true farmer will study their temper and make the most of them.
Science is the economy of force — lessening work and increasing
the results. If the husbandman would better his own condition, or
the condition of his poor lands ; if he would keep his good lands, or
himself, in good heart, or honestl}' get much out of little, or more
out of much ; if, in a word, he would live and thrive by his pro-
ducts and not impoverish his place, he must farm with brains and
manures.

Good husbandry is based on manures, rightl}' prepared and
rightly applied. When nature stores away the phosphates in the
hill-side, or fills our swamps or lowlands with nitrogenous matter,
she leaves it for us to find out their value and profit by them. She
is often lavish of materials ; but her beneficiaries ma}- use or abuse
them as they please. Some soils consist almost wholl}' of vege-
table remains, so apparent to the e^^e that we might naturally
regard them as just fitted for immediate use ; whereas, their worth
depends upon their preparation and skilful application. Such are
the different varieties of Peat, of which I would now speak.

These are, as we all know, of several kinds ; the mild, the sour,
the coaly, etc. In other words, the fuel peat, the black muck, etc.,
13

98 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

each kind having some qualities peculiar to itself, but all containing
the most essential requisites for a good manure. The peat which
has long been used for fuel, is that tough, spongy and fibrous com-
pound in low lands or bogs, which bends Under the feet and re-
tains its shape when dug or cut. It abounds in the countrj', and
here in Massachusetts, of late, machinerj' has been introduced and is
now operating to remove, grind and manufacture it into fuel, en-
tirely regardless of other uses. The ashes of this kind of peat, as
well as that from marshes near the sea, have for more than a cen-
tury been sought as fertilizers. In Holland and elsewhere, peat
has often been burnt merely for its ashes, which were sold b}^ the
bushel for manure ; the farmer losing thereby all the volatile portions
best adapted to his plants. Nevertheless, as more or less of cal-
careous matter was contained in the ashes, the}' were good for
sandy soils, and the waste was not total. If skilfully mixed with
animal manure and properly decomposed, this variety is deemed
the most valuable.

The brown or black muck, which is more common with us, differs
from the fuel peat, in being softer and more decomposed. It con-
sists mostly of decayed and decaying vegetable matter, with some
earthy and mineral admixture, and is nearly in the state of vege-
table mould, or " /mmrts," sometimes called " f/eme." The value
of this muck depends very much on its position. If it has been
continuall}' subject to drainage and leaching, much of its virtue may
have run off and little remain. But if it has been confined within
a flat basin, without any outlet or overflow, and not too much
flooded, it will retain its tannin, nitrogen, and fertilizing salts,
which may be converted into the best of plant food.

All peat is a concentrated vegetable carbonaceous compound.
The average muck of Massachusetts contains, as found by anal^-sis,
twenty-nine parts of soluble matter and about fifty-five parts of in-
soluble ; about one-third its substance being soluble. It is capable
of holding much moisture, and, when dried in the sun, still contains
about two-thirds of its weight of water. It has organic matter, and
often acids, in excess ; although its principal ingredient is carbon.
Oxj'gen and highl}' nitrogenized crenic and apocrenic acid, are
always present, with traces of ammonia. But in its fresh state, it
is almost inert. To utilize it, therefore, animal manures or salts
should be employed to quicken its action. Air and water are to do
the most of the productive work ; and they are so essential in

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 99

vegetation that whatever manure appropriates these elements to the
greatest extent may be regarded as the most beneficial. Four-fifths
of all growth comes from them. Some chemists have contended
that water is the onl^- dressing needed ; that the overflows of the
Nile and of our meadow streams, which annuallj' enrich the lands,
bring to tliem nothing verj^ fertilizing except the water ; and that
the amount of water retained by a manure is a good test of its
quality, as the air is constantly co-operating with it to prepare the
needed food. We cannot well over-estimate the importance of
either of these elements. Although onl}^ one-fifth part of our com-
mon air consists of oxygen, yet so essential is the supply of oxj'gen
in nature, that more than one-half of the weight of all the solid
rocks of the globe is composed of it ; without it, there could be
neither life nor decay. Oxidation and decay cannot proceed
without it, and they are the only sources from which come the
renewal and supply of all vegetable matter. Decaj' is a species of
oxidation or slow combustion — a consuming or burning process,
whereby a change is effected as by heat ; the color of a substance is
changed and darkened by it, as if slightly charred, and finally it
falls to powder. Too much water will check this decomposition,
but a good quantit}' is needful.

Peat is fertilizing matter undecomposed, or matters in which
decomposition may have commenced. Indeed, fermentation is
necessary to bring out its virtue. Generally, the blacker the peat,
the better it is ; and that kept longest is best, provided it has been
kept out of the bog and has not been fire-fanged or flooded. But
it must be decomposed before it is available for plants ; fresh peat
is not to be ploughed under and immediately mixed with the earth.
A peat-bog may be thoroughly drained and ploughed, 3'et, rich as it
is in material, the first year's product will be disappointment and
failure, for the soil will be sour and undecomposed, and in no con-
dition for plant growth. The application of plaster of Paris, or
lime, in moderate quantit}', would be beneficial in such ground by
decomposing the soil and bringing into activity its humus and in-
soluble matter. But if the soil is too rich in humus, there is danger
of forming thereby an injurious humate of lime, and also of setting
free too much corrosive sulphuric acid. On cla3'ey grounds, ex-
cepting in warm and wet seasons, gypsum is of little account. On
sandy or gravelly lands, applied just before or after a rain, it
succeeds well. It must not, however, be often repeated or long

100 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

applied to the same land without the use of animal manures. And
the same may be said of the use of fertilizing salts.

They are good in their season ; but animal manures are indis-
pensable. All plants, except fungi, require alkalies and alkaline
earths. The^' must be supplied with both organic and inorganic
matter, and that, too, in a condition for use. They feed in a
mysterious waj', on infinitely small particles, and have a choice of
these. They select from among the particles of inanimate matter
the parts they need, and which will combine and assimilate only
under fixed conditions and limitations. The}' refuse, during life, to
obey the chemical laws which govern organic matter, but after
death they become subject to them, and dissolve accordingly.
While they live and grow, they appropriate and organize inorganic
matter. They never directly absorb organic matter, and yet they
cannot grow in a soil without it. A good soil will contain about one-
fifth part in weight of such matter ; but the plants will drink only the
gases, and wait for the dissolution of the compounds. The volatile
portions of all their reserves are the most valuable, and water helps
to generate them and retain them for use. It brings to them
carbon and ammonia in right proportions. Rain mechanically
opens the earth anew, and sweeps awa}' the useless and inert air
and other matter, with some noxious compounds, making room
for, and introducing new and fresh reinforcements. Electricity,
light, heat, air, and water are continuaUy working for us in a way
incomprehensible, but always by fixed laws, the observance of
which laws when known tends vastly to our advantage. As I have
said, organic matter must be always at command in the soil, and
there is no better way of supplying this organic matter than by
mixing peat with ayiimal manures. These manures not only tend
to modify the mechanical texture of the soil, but they furnish
carbonic acid and ammonia, or nitric acid, and the earthy and
saline compounds required by plants. The}"^ assist in the decom-
position of the vegetable matter, while the absorbing peat seizes
and retains all their most volatile parts, one-half or two-thirds of
which might otherwise escape. It has been estimated that one cord
of animal manure, properlj' composted with peat, will make four
times its original value in good manure.

As ammonia is the natural food of plants, the best manure is
that which will produce and retain the greatest amount of nitrogen,
which is the base and principal ingredient of ammonia. If nitrogen

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 101

is furnished in tlie solids, the atmosphere will suppl}' the hydrogen
needed to form the ammonia. Hence, the amount of nitrogen it
can furnish, mostlj' determines the value of a manure. Prof. John-
ston is of the opinion that ammonia is supplied to plants by the
natural decaj' of animal and vegetable substances ; and that nitric
acid is formed parti}' b}- the oxidation of dead organic matter, and
partly by the union of oxygen and nitrogen through the electricity
in the air.

Nitrogen, however, is the great operator and food provider of
plants. The ammonia produced by it and its power to form
nitrates are invaluable. Nitrates in which the nitrogen exists as an
acid are great workers in the decomposition and decay of organic
matter, either in the compost heap or in the soil. But salts alone,
without the addition of nitrogenous matter, will not long avail.
Neither will carbonic acid or ammonia alone be sufficient. Organic
matter is essential to success. Extremes of all kinds are to be
avoided, and every factor must work without violence, in due tivie,
within proper limits, and with plenty of liquid. A good manure is
that which will furnish the necessary ammonia when wanted, or
which, by its combinations, can be easity converted into ammonia.
The humus of peat is continually decaying, and is thus continually
forming carbonic acid ; it is also taking up nitrogen from the air
and converting it into nitric acid and ammonia. It gives warmth
and porosity to the soil, and supplies it with soluble materials ;
while the insoluble earths are consumed b}' the acids, and thereby
adapted to vegetation. Nitrates, and other salts (without animal
manures), must not be applied repeatedl}' to the same land. In the
absence of alkalies, no vegetable fibrine or vegetable caseiue can be
formed. Alkalies, with animal manures, have the power to form
nitrates and become very effective. Peat has the power to form
alkalies, and this power is of great service.

Dr. Dana says^ that one cord of fresh peat will neutralize one
hundred pounds of soda-ash ; and that one cord of barn^'ard
manure will decompose from three to six cords of peat. One dead
horse, well covered with peat, will convert fifteen or twenty tons of
peat into a manure equal to the average from the stable ; for it will
separate nearl}' all its nitrogen from the other constituents, and
hold it in the heap. He thinks, also, that the salts contained in
one cord of peat are equal to the droppings of a cow for three
months, and, bj' analysis, thej' are found to have the same chemi-

102 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

cal qualities, excepting that there is less activity and odor in the
peat. The late Mr. Phinney, of Lexington, declared that if two
cords of peat were mixed with one cord of cow manure, the mixture
was fully equal to three cords of fresh cow manure.

The weight of authority seems to indicate that one ton of manure
from the barn, will decompose from three to six tons of muck,
but it is better to use a larger proportion of animal manure. Com-
plaints have sometimes been made that the use of peat and muck
produced sour and meadow grasses. But if so, they must have
come from applj'ing the peat before it was properly ripened and
sweetened by age and decomposition, without which little effect is
seen.

Peat must be used discreetly, and the following hints may not
be inappropriate :

1st. As a rule, peat should be dug several months before it is
taken to the barn or compost heap. The weight to be carried will
then be lighter and its absorbent quahties greater.

2d. The old rule, of keeping the compost through two summers
and one winter (or for two years) before use, stands good today,
where the best economy is exhibited. Time — a long time — is
essential to its decomposition and it should not be used until de-
composed.

3d. If possible, protect occasionally the compost by rough boards,
from excessive flooding by rains. And if peat is placed under the
barn, let it be two feet thick and so placed as to catch all the liquids
from the stalls, such liquids being one-sixth part more valuable
than the solids. Add an}' waste vegetable matter, as often as may
be, and see that the drainage from the stable does not rob the com-
post.

4th. Fermentation must be encouraged, but the pile must not be-
come fire-fanged or overheated. When found to be at blood
heat, turn it over or water it.

Few persons realize that in the decay of animal or vegetable mat-
ter the same amount of heat is thrown out as there would be if the
same matter was consumed by fire ; and the heat is just in propor-
tion to the rapidity of the decay. In warm weather, a compost
heap may become heated in ten or fifteen days. It is well, there-
fore, to lay a few sticks into the heart of it, which can be withdrawn
and the heat tested, as occasion may require.

More than a century ago, Lord Meadowbank gave directions as

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 103

to the best mode of making a compost bed of peat, some of which
are not now inapplicable. Availing m3'self of some of his sugges-
tions, I will take the responsibilit}' of here giving m}' own.

If a large bed is to be formed, select a con^ enient spot, nearly
level, and mark out a parallelogram, about twelve feet wide, and of
any desirable length, for the ground to be occupied. Cover this
bed over with peat, which has been dug several months, to the depth
of ten inches ; then dump successive piles of barn manure in a line
close up to the sides of the peat, sufficient to cover it to the depth
of six inches, to be shovelled in. Protect the exposed sides, as
filled up, and dump along them enough more peat to raise the bed
about eight inches more, and shovel it evenly over the manure ;
then, in like manner, add about four or five inches of manure, and
so on, adding peat and manure in alternate layers until the pile is
about four feet high ; the last or top layer always to be peat and the
sides protected by it, and the upper lasers being thinner than the
lower.

After fermentation has commenced, see that the heat is not too
great ; and when necessary, begin at one end, and fiicing that wa^',
throw the material, well mixed, toward that end, operating straight
across the heap and to the very bottom, smoothing and securing
the sides as the work goes on. Do this as often as an}- vapor with
the odor of ammonia or manure is perceived. Sticks ma}' be placed
in the pile to test the heat, as already suggested. Rain storms are
sometimes long-continued and severe, and it would be well to have
a partial covering of rough boards in readiness for occasional pro-
tection from a flood.

If only a small quantity of manure is used, the heap maj' be one
or two years in the process of decomposition ; but if a large
amount of manure or salts is emplo3'ed, the process may be hastened.
Any waste vegetable or animal matter, kelp, bone-dust, or a small
sprinkling of slaked lime may be intermixed with profit. If animal
manure is wanting, fifteen or sixteen "bushels of leached wood ashes
to a cord of peat will excite fermentation. Sixt}' pounds of soda-
ash or ninetj^ pounds of potash, dissolved and evenly distributed
in a hquid state, will decompose a cord, but earth or peat should
always be at the top of the compost, to arrest any liberated gases.

Dr. Jackson, after recommending the mixing with lime or ashes,
as tending to disengage the ammonia, saturate the noxious acids, and
convert them, by combination, into fertilizing salts — adds this cau-

104 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

tion — " but too much lime applied to a heap may cause a burning of
the material and make it but little better than charcoal."

If lime is used at all, it should be applied in such moderate quan-
tities that its mixture with fresh peat will generate a degree of heat
so slight as not to prevent the absorption of the fertilizing acids
and gases generated in the pile. But it is safer and better in all
cases to employ the alkaline salts instead of lime.

To conclude : Peat, decomposed with animal manures, is un-
doubtedly an admirable manure ; especially for high lands, or sandy,
gravelly, or loamy soils. In fact, it is good on an}' soil.

It is valuable, as a great absorber of water and gases :

It is valuable, as a great retainer and feeder of these :

It is valuable, as a constant collector and renewer of supplies,
and as a gi-eat assimilator of plant food.

For fruit trees and grass, it is exceedingly^ efficacious.

If it is objected that its black color attracts heat to such an ex-
tent as to burn the grass over which it is spread, we may reply,
"if it heats more quickly, so it cools more quickly ;" and if in hot
weather it becomes quickly heated at mid-day, so it cools quickly
towards evening and will for an hour or two longer than other-
wise, bring down and hold the refreshing dews of the season. Its
humus, by constant decay, keeps up a needful aid, and the naturally-
inert material, by proper admixture, becomes an efficient power.
The old saying may still be true, " Muck makes the meal-chest."

Discussion.

The Chairman said that this most suggestive essay opened up
another phase of the fertilizer question, which had been discussed
here this winter, and called on members present to give their views
on the subject.

Benjamin P. Ware said that he had had a good deal of experi-
ence with meadow muck, and the opinions which he had formed
varied much from those of some others of equal experience. This
appeared very strange, and he could account for this difference only
on the supposition of a ditference in the quality of the muck. He
thought the subject had been fairly presented, and the views of the
essayist were very much in accordance with his own. He lives on
the sea-shore and obtains much manure from the sea — mainly kelp.

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 105

This heats and decomposes very rapidly, and is excellent for com-
posting with muck. Success depends very much on the amount of
fermentation which can be produced in the heap. He preferred to
dig the muck two or three years before using, as the winter frosts
decompose it faster than any other agency, and the rains assist.
He digs out a large quantit}^ in August, and removes it to the site
of the compost heap in winter when the meadow is frozen so that
it will bear teams. He thought that a mixture of two-thirds muck
and one-third kelp, was as good as entire sea manure. Horse ma
nure, or anj'thing that will produce fermentation, is good for mixing
with the muck. Fish pomace is admirable. He did not think it
needful to cover the compost heap from the rain. His brother
hired the Pickman farm in Salem (a milk farm with a large stock
of cattle), when it yielded seventy-five tons of hay. By the use
of muck, composted as described, in addition to the dung of the
cattle, in three years he brought the produce of the farm up to two
hundred and twenty-five tons.

The speaker had used muck all his life, and felt much interest in
the subject of the essay. He formed his compost heaps very much
as described by the essayist. The heap should be forked over fre-
quentl}^, as every stirring produces a new fermentation. A mixture
of lime and salt may be used in the compost heap and add to its
fertilizing qualities. While some muck has very little value, that
which is valuable is inert until decomposed. Green hide is not
leather, but becomes leather when tannin is chemically united with
it. So meadow muck in a cold, ii^rt condition is not manure —
not a fertilizer — but let it be fermented and it becomes one of the
most valuable fertilizers.

The Chairman regretted that some of the vegetable growers,
who were present at the opening of the meeting had left, as he
would have liked to hear their views. He believed that generally
they prefer unadulterated fertilizers, like the strongest stable ma-
niu'e, to muck compost. He agreed with Mr. Ware that there is
very little value in meadow mud just taken out. This was shown in
an old orchard which the speaker had latel}' removed, where a quantity
of meadow mud was placed under each tree. It had remained un-
changed for forty j^ears, and the roots avoided it as if it were
poison. It should lie two or three years after being dug and be
subjected to fermentation. The general experience of cultivators
14

106 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

does not corroborate Dr. Dana's theory as to the use of salts in
curing mud .

Mr. Fuller thought that it would not do to use the salts exclu-
sively or without barnyard manure. He agreed with Mr. Ware
that time is the great curer of muck.

B. G. Smith had derived great advantage from the use of muck
in his garden. Some 3'ears ago he had one hundred and fifty cart-
loads brought in, which laid exposed to the atmosphere. Before
composting he mixed it with lime to sweeten it, using on three or
four cords a barrel of hme, slaked with water in which half a
bushel of salt had been dissolved. He then composted one-third
of barnyard manure with two-thirds of muck, letting it lay two
or three 3'ears, and turning it over two or three times.

Henry Ross had used several hundred cords of muck and had
not been so successful as the previous speakers, but perhaps he had
not used brains enough. Any one who crosses a swamp, and
notices the luxuriant growth of trees and herbage, among which
pine stumps four feet in diameter may sometimes be seen, must be
convinced that it contains vast quantities of plant food. As super-
intendent of the Newton Cemetery, he had had occasion to grade
two or three acres of lawn at a time, in a sand}' soil. He had dug
out large quantities of muck, and, after grading, spread it on three
or four inches in thickness, digging it into the subsoil and replacing
the loam over it. He then manured highly and sodded or sowed
his grass seed, and found that, applied in this way, the muck was of
great benefit in retaining moisture. It is also useful as an absorb-
ent of fertilizing gases. It holds frost so late as to be objection-
able as a top-dressing. He intended to use a compost of bone-dust
and muck side by side with the Stockbridge fertilizer the coming
season. He did not like to use barnyard manure as a top-dressing,
on account of its disfiguring the lawn.

Mr. Ware advised Mr. Ross to mix fish pomace with his meadow
mud and bone, but Mr. Ross replied that the odor from fish would
be objectionable in the cemetery.

Mr. Fuller said that he was acquainted with the location of Mr.
Ross' land and peat deposits, and that there was a stream running
through, which might drain the virtue out of the muck. If the
muck was taken from such a deposit, he should not expect any ad-
vantage from it. Muck is of little or no benefit, when ploughed in
before it is decomposed. He agreed with Mr. Ware that ordinary

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 107

rains would not injure a compost heap, but it should be guarded
from excess of rain. The roof over it should not be tight, but may
be of loose boards, as the compost will not ferment without some
moisture.

Mr. Ross said that the muck which he used was not taken from
the place referred to by Mr. Fuller as having a stream running
through it, but from another deposit not liable to that objection.
The quality of the latter was such that m anufacturers of poudrette
chose it in preference to any other. While his compost heap is de-
composing he throws brush over it to keep off the sun. He was
still of the opinion that the best use of muck is as a retainer of
moisture, and" as an absorbent of ammonia and other fertihzing
gases, but he had learned a good deal from what had been said
today. In answer to an inquiry Mr. Ross said that the grass roots
extend down to the layer of muck which he places under the top
soil, but do not enter it.

Mr. Smith thought that if muck is of httle or no use, as is the
opinion of some, many people in Cambridge are much benighted.

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner said that while the value of peat as a fuel
and as a fertilizer had been mentioned, one important use had been
omitted, viz. : as a deodorizer. As an absorbent around sink
drains, etc., it produced a wonderful efiect in deodorizing them.

M. H. Merriam said that his first experiment in the use of peat
was by digging it and exposing it to the frosts of a single winter,
which rendered it light and friable. Once a week he carted into
the barnyard three times the amount of the droppings. Early in
spring it was carted out and apphed to fodder corn and potatoes.
The growth of both, early in the season, was remarkable, and the
corn being cut early needed nothing more, but the potatoes suffered
more from drought than those where other manure was used. Per-
haps the muck was not sufficiently decomposed. In another ex-
periment sods and similar materials were laid on brush, so as to
form a free drainage, and muck placed on top. Liquid manure
was then poured over the whole, and produced a very rapid fermen-
tation, decomposing even potato stalks. His most successful ex-
periment with muck was in composting it with the refuse of animal
skins boiled down to a glue. When this was incorporated with the
muck, fermentation soon commenced and produced a fertihzer which
he had never seen equalled in its effect on grass fields. The place
where it was applied could be distinguished all through the season,

108 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

and though this was five or six years ago, the effect is still percep-
tible. The glue was thoroughly incorporated with the muck while
in a liquid state, and applied at the rate of twelve hundred pounds
of dry refuse to the acre.

James Cruickshanks remarked that the muck generally used here
is very different from that which he knew in Scotland. Most of it
there can be cut out in bricks. At Woodlawn Cemetery, in making
an avenue through a swamp, he dug out a large quantity of peat,
which he began to use after it had lain two years, and continued to
use for eight or ten years. Having occasion to plant a hedge of
arbor vitae, which is a swamp plant, he dug a trench eighteen
inches wide and the same in depth, and filled in six inches of muck
in the bottom, and on this placed six inches of soil. He then set
the plants and gave them a thorough watering, and in forty rods
of hedge he did not lose more than five plants. He thought the
muck useful in retaining moisture.

Mr. Fuller said that lime must be used only in moderate quanti-
ties in connection with peat. If used too largely the peat will be
charred. He thought that a sprinkling of lime on the successive
layers — just enough to cover each layer of the compost heap —
would be sufficient. In answer to an inquiry-, Mr. Fidler stated that
quick lime ma}^ b}^ its action, discharge valuable gases. He used
last spring 2,200 bushels of ashes, which was procured from lime-
kilns in Maine, and, though largely mixed with lumps of lime and
other rough material, it produced a good ettect as a top-dressing on
a sandy soil.

Marshall P. Wilder said that the remarks which had been made
had established several principles in regard to the use of peat. It
should be taken out in a dry time, and allowed to drain, saving
expense in carting ; it should lie a 3'ear or two before composting,
and it should be thoroughly decomposed. He was very glad to
hear from Mrs. Horner in regard to its deodorizing properties,
which he attributed to its carbonaceous composition. When
properly matured by age it is one of the purest of soils. By a pure
soil he meant one entirely free from manure. Certain plants are
cultivated in a mixture of peat and sand alone, and in such cases
the growth is largely due to proper watering. He had two farms,
and bought a meadow for the peat which it contained, and which
he found most useful as a fertilizer, but only when old. Many
years ago he recommended a cord of peat, mixed with six bushels

PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 109

of unleached wood ashes and a bushel of bone-dust, as an excellent
fertilizer for fruit trees.

Now that the meetings for discussion were about to close for
the season, Mr. Wilder wished to say that he had been much
interested in them, and believed that the}' had been very advan-
tageous to all who had attended. He referred to the Chairman
of the Committee on Publication and Discussion, who presided
on this occasion, as the projector of these meetings, and as having
done more than any one else to sustain them, and expressed
the conviction that he had never done the Society a more beneficial
service. No lady or gentleman could come in to one of these
meetings without gaining some information, even on the most
common subjects.

N. B. White said that peat was always found in low places, and
that it is very expensive to get it up on high land. If the meadow
is so situated that it can be drained and cultivated, he believed that
that course would be found more profitable than digging and com-
posting the peat. He thought, also, that poor or exhausted soils
could be brought to a state of fertility at much less expense by
ploughing in green crops, than by fertilizing with peat compost,
which requires so great an amount of labor.

The Chairman said that, though man}^ of the best cultivators do
not use a great amount of peat, he thought all would agree as to
its value as an absorbent and in handling manure.

Rev. A. B. Muzzey, of the Committee on Publication and Discus-
sion, remarked that we have in the Society abundance of material
for very interesting essays, and suggested that during the interim
the members should be maturing papers to be read when the meet-
ings are resumed another season, which would be a great assistance
to the Committee.

The Chairman then announced that the meetings for discussion
were closed for the season.

CONTKISTTS.

Prefatory Note, .........

Business Meeting, January 5, 1878; Address of President Parkman, pp.
5-8; Address of President Gray, pp. 8-10; Decease of J. P. Kirtland,
LL.D., 10-12; Appropriations for 1878, 12; Appointment of Treasurer
and Secretary, 13; Testimonial to Ex-President Parkman, 13; Pro-
spective Prize for Moore's Early Grape, 13; Announcement of Meet-
ings for Discussion, ........

Meeting for Discussion, January 12 ; Ripening and Marketing Pears,
by J. W. Pierce, pp. 13-19; Discussion, .....

Business Meeting, January 19; Report of Treasurer and Finance Com-
mittee presented, p. 25; Record of Awards, 25; List of Prizes for
Essays presented, .........

Meeting for DiscussipN; Bottom Heat, by W. D. Philbrick, pp. 26-30;
Discussion, ..........

Meeting for Discussion, January 26; Garden Irrigation, by W. D.
Pliilbrick, pp. 33-38 ; Discussion, ......

Business Meeting, February 2; Election of Members, p. 43; Report of
Committee of Arrangements, 43; Request for Models of Fruits, 43;
Invitation from National Agricultural Congress, 43, 44 ; Letter from
Charles Pease, .........

Meeting for Discussion; Culture and Varieties of Roses, by William H.
AVhite, pp. 44^52; Discussion, .......

Meeting for Discussion, February 9; Lecture on Fertilizers, by Prof. W.
O. Atwater, pp. 53-62 ; Discussion, ......

Meeting FOR Discussion, February 16 ; Fertilizers, by Dr. E. L. Sturte-
vant, pp. 67-70; Discussion, .......

Meeting for Discussion, February 23 ; Rose Culture, pp. 76-78 ; Fertilizers,

Business Meeting, March 2; Resignation of Chairman of Flower Com-
mittee, pp. 79, 80; Election ordered, 80; Vote to record Report, 80; Re-
port of Committee on Testimonial to Ex-President Parkman, 80;
Volume of Addresses, etc., and Medal presented by Marshall P.
Wilder, 80, 81; Window Gardening, 81, 82; Member of Flower Com-
mittee elected, .........

Meeting for Discussion, March 9 ; Rose Culture, pp. 82-86; Part II. of
Transactions for 1877 announced, ......

Meeting for Discussion, March 16 ; Culture of Small Fruits,

Meeting for Discussion, March 23; Cultui-e of Small Fruits,

Meeting for Discussion, March 30 ; Peat as an Absorbent and as a Fer-
tilizer, by H. Weld Fuller, pp. 97-104; Discussion, . . . .

PAGE.
3

19-25

25
30-33
39-43

44

52,53

62-67

70-75
78,79

82

86
86-93
93-96

104-109

TRANSACTIONS

G^

assacljiisells Joilicitltural ^m%

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

PART II.

BOSTON :
PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY.

1879.

TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, April 6, 1878.

A dul}' notified stated meeting was holden at 11 o'clock, Presi-
dent Gray in the chair.

The President announced that the Flower Committee had or-
ganized by the choice of William H. Spoouer as Chairman,

On recommendation of the Executive Committee, William Bull,
of Chelsea, England, and Isidor Bush, of Bushberg, Missouri, were
chosen Corresponding Members of the Society.

The President, as Chairman of the Executive Committee,
reported a recommendation that the Society appropriate three
hundred dollars to meet the expenses of the Committee of Arrange-
ments for the current year, and one thousand dollars to the Com-
mittee on Publication, for the publication of the History of the
Society. These appropriations were voted on separately, and were
unanimousl}^ passed.

On motion of Marshall P. Wilder, the subject of the celebration
of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Society was referred to the Exec-
utive Committee, with full powers.

Marshall P. Wilder, in some appropriate remarks, announced the
death of Hon. Willard C. Flagg, of Moro, Illinois, a Corresponding
Member of the Society, and moved the appointment of a committee
to prepare memorial resolutions. The Chair appointed Marshall P.
Wilder, Charles M. Hovey, and Robert Manning, as that Com-
mittee.'

Adjourned to Saturday, Ma}' 4.

116 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, May 4, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Societ}^ was holden at 11 o'clock.
The President and Vice -Presidents being absent, Marshall P.
Wilder was chosen President pro tern.

The following named persons having been recommended by the
Executive Committee, were, on ballot, dul}' elected members of the
Society :

J. Arthur Beebe, of Boston,

William H. Bowker, of Boston.

The President j^ro tem., as Chairman of the Committee to pre-
pare resolutions in memory of Hon. Willard C. Flagg, reported the
following :

Resolved, That in the decease of Hon. Willard Cutting Flagg, a
Corresponding Member of this Society, we recognize and mourn the
loss which we, in common with the public, and especially- the agri-
cultural and horticultural community, have sustained, of one of its
ablest and most eminent workers and writers. Mr. Flagg held at
various times the positions of Secretary and President of the Illi-
nois Horticultural Society ; was Corresponding Secretary of the
Illinois Industrial University from its foundation to his decease, and,
at the time of his decease, was Secretary of the American Pomologi-
cal Society, President of the National Agricultural Congress,
President of the Illinois Farmers' Association, and one of the chief
editors of the American Encyclopaedia of Agriculture. He was also
a trustee at various times of several State institutions, including the
Illinois Industrial University, and was, for several years, a Senator
in the Legislature of Illinois. But, while recognizing his eminence,
as shown by the many offices which he has been called to hold, and
in which it will be difficult to fill his vacant place, we would
especially remember his enterprise, his thoroughness in all that he
undertook, his spotless character, in public as well as in private,
and the universal esteem in which he was held for his probity,
social qualities, and high culture. We would remember him as a
man of strict honor and integrity, who loved justice for the sake of
justice, and whom none could swerve from the path of duty.

Eesolved, That these resolutions be entered on our records, and

DECEASE OF WILLARD C. FLAGG. 117

that a cop3^ be transmitted to the widow of Mr. Flagg, with the
assurance of our warmest sj-mpathy with her in her sad bereave-
ment.

Robert Manning said that he became acquainted with Mr. Flagg
at the meeting of the American Pomological Society, at St. Louis,
Missouri, in 18G7, and recognized him as a man of natural inteUi-
gence, trained b^^ education, and especially desirous to do fully and
thoroughl}^ whatever he did ; and that further acquaintance with him,
personally and by correspondence, had continually deepened this
first impression, and he regarded his loss as a national calamity.

Benjamin G. Smith said that he was greatly impressed by Mr.
Flagg's energy and force of character, and his strong personal mag-
netism. He regarded him as one of the most valuable men in the
horticultural world, and the longer his acquaintance, the more his
esteem for Mr. Flagg increased.

The Chairman of the meeting said that while the death of Mr.
Flagg was a severe loss to the horticultural world, it came nearer
home to him as President of the American Pomological Societ}-,
for, as Secretary, Mr, Flagg was his right hand man. To energy
and despatch in business, he united thoroughness, in rare combi-
nation. Though naturall}^ strong and healthy, he was carried down
to the grave by the weight of his labors as agriculturist, horticul-
turist, and statesman.

The resolutions were unanimously passed.

The President pro tern, announced the decease, since the last
meeting of the Society, of one of its founders and original corpora-
tors and its first Treasurer, Cheever Newhall. On motion of A.
D. Capen, the Chairman of the meeting, C. O. Whitmore, and P.
B. Hovey, were appointed a committee to present resolutions in
memor}" of Mr. Newhall.

The Chairman, as President of the American Pomological
Society, presented copies of the Proceedings of that Society.

Adjourned to Saturday, June 1.

118 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, June 1, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock,
Vice President C. H. B. Bkeck in the chair.

Charles E. Ridler, of Kingston, and
Miss Katie A, Hill, of Lowell,

having been recommended by the Executive Committee, were, on
ballot, duly elected members of the Society.

Marshall P. Wilder, Chairman of the Committee to prepare
resolutions in memoiy of Cheever Newhall, presented the subjoined,
remarking that, probably from his great age, it had been his lot
oftener tlian he could wish to otfer such resolutions, and that he
did it in c nforn lity to his views of duty to those who had gone
before us. He eulogized Mr. Newhall as a man, a horticulturist,
and a farmer, and added that, since his decease, the only survivor
of the eight gentlemen named in the charter of the Society is John
B. Russell, now of Newmarket, N. J.

Resolved, That in the death of Cheever Newhall this Society has
lost one of its oldest and most valued members, — one whose name
appears in its act of incorporation, passed almost fifty years ago, —
and a true and constant friend of our association.

Resolved, That in the' valuable services rendered by him we
recognize the faithful discharge of official duty as the first Treasurer
of the Society ; as Vice President for seventeen years, and as a
liberal patron of agriculture, horticulture, and rural improvement.

Resolved, That while we sympathize with his bereaved widow and
relatives in this affliction, we desire to recognize the Divine Good-
ness which gave to Mr. Newhall and to the Society such a long
and useful life, which will ever be commemorated by the excellent
portrait that now adorns our walls.

Resolved, That these proceedings be entered on our records, and
that a copy be transmitted to Mrs. Newhall.

Gen. Josiah Newhall seconded the resolutions, and said that
Cheever Newhall had for fifty years been one of his dearest friends.
He was a descendant of Thomas Newhall, who settled in L3-nn in
1630. He was one of the best informed and most successful prac-

DECEASE or CHEEVER NEWHALL. 119

tical farmers in Norfolk County ; and one of the founders, and, for
a long course of 3'ears, a Vice President, of the Norfolk Agricultural
Society. He was President of the Massachusetts Agricultural Club
from its formation to his decease, and was a member of the United
States Agricultural Society. As a merchant, he was distinguished
for uprightness and integrity, and was always faithful in every
sphere of dut3^

Vice President Breck said that in 1839, when a boy, he became
acquainted with Mr. Newhall. The}'^ met in the office of the " New
England Farmer," to which paper Mr. Newhall was a frequent con-
tributor. He thought that Mr. Newhall had done as much as any
one in New England for the promotion of agriculture. He was
highly esteemed as a man, and as a merchant was upright in all
his acts.

Aaron Davis Capen said that Mr. Newhall had resided in Dor-
chester for at least fifty 3'ears, and that he had known him all that
time. He knew him well, and knew well of him. Those emploj^ed
by him i)or ' testimony to his worth. Mr. Capen had rarely heard
a man so highly spoken of by those who worked for him. They
never received a harsh word or unkind treatment from him.

The resolutions were unanimously passed, and the meeting was
then dissolved.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, July 6, 1878.

A dul}" notified stated meeting of the Society was holden at 11
o'clock. Vice President C. H. B. Breck in the chair.

The only business was the announcement of the reception by tbe
Secretary, of letters from Mrs. Willard C. Flagg, and Mrs. Cheever
Newhall, acknowledging the receipt of the resolutions passed by
the Society in memory of Mr. Flagg and Mr. Newhall.

Adjourned to Saturday, August 3.

120 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, August 3, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock,
President Gray in the chair.

The Secretary presented a communication from the United
States Commissioner of Agriculture, inquiring as to the cause of the
grape rot. On motion it was voted that the communication be
referred to the Fruit Committee.

Agreeabl}' to the Constitution and By-Laws, the President
appointed the following named members a Committee to nominate
suitable candidates for the various offices of the Societ}^ for the
ensuing year: C. O. Whitmore, W. C. Strong, C. H. B. Breck,
C. N. Brackett, J. D. W. French, A. B. Muzzey, and E. W. Wood.

Alexander Anderson, of Ilingham,

having been recommended by the Executive Committee, was, on
ballot, duly elected a Life Member of the Society.

Adjourned to Saturday, September 7.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, September 7, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock,
Vice President CO. Whitmore in the chair.

The Chairman presented the report of the Nominating Committee,
which was read by the Secretary.

Marshall P. Wilder announced the decease, since the last meet-
ing, of William R. Austin, long an officer of the Societ}^, and an
experienced cultivator, and moved that a committee of three be
appointed to prepare memorial resolutions. The Chair appointed
as that Committee, Charles M. Hovey, Marshall P. Wilder, and
William C. Strong.

The meeting was then dissolved.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS AND OFFICERS. 121

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, October 5, 1878.

A stated meeting of the -Society, being the annual meeting for the
choice of officers, was holden at 11 o'clock. President Gkay in the
chair.

Notice of the meeting haAang been given in accordance with the
Constitution and Bj'-Laws, the polls for the election of officers and
committees were opened at five minutes past eleven. The Presi-
dent appointed E. W. Buswell, John G. Barker, and John C. Hovey,
a Committee to receive, assort, and count the votes given, and
report the number.

The following named persons, having been recommended b}' the

Executive Committee, were, on ballot, dul}"- elected members of the

Society :

Robert Petremant, of Boston Highlands,

AzARiAH Eldridge, of Yarmouthport,

Julian 0. Mason, of Brainti'ce,

Miss H. N. Sands, of East Somerville,

Alfred Henry Hersey, of Hingham.
The polls were closed at five minutes past twelve o'clock, and
the Committee to count the votes reported the names of the officers
and members of committees chosen, who, in accordance with the
Constitution and By-Laws , were declared by the President to be
elected officers and committees' of the Society for the year 1879.
Adjourned to Saturday, November 2.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, November 2, 1878.

An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at 11 o'clock,
Vice President John C. Hovey in the chair.

Henry C. Cooke, of West Newton, and
Joseph S. Chase, of Maiden,
having been recommended by the Executive Committee, were, on
ballot, duly elected members of the Society.
2

122 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Charles M. Hovej^, Chairman of the Committee appoiuted to
prepare resokitions in memory of Captain William R. Austin,
presented the following :

The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, having learned with
deep regret of the death of their late associate, Captain William R.
Austin,

Resolv(d, That in his decease the Society mourns the loss of one
of its most honored and trusted members. As Treasurer for a long
series of 3'ears, he devoted his leisure time and ability to the
welfare and best interests of the Society ; as a member of various
committees, he neglected no dut}' ; as a horticulturist, he originated
the now well known method of training pear trees, so successfully
practised by him during his life ; and as an exhibitor of choice
fruits, his contributions attested his enthusiasm and skill as a
cultivator.

Resolved^ That we highly appreciate the valuable services ren-
dered by Captain Austin to the Society, as well as his life-long
devotion to horticultural pursuits — a rare example of untiring in-
dustry, and enduring interest, in all the objects and purposes of our
association .

Resolved^ That the members of the Society condole with the
family of their late associate in their irreparable loss.

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the records of
the Society, and that a copj^ be sent to the family of the deceased.

Mr. Hovey said that it was unnecessary to go into any extended
remarks on one so well known as Captain Austin. Besides his
interest in fruit culture, as shown by the plan which he originated
of training trees in the vase or wine glass form, and which he
carried to perfection, producing finer specimens of trees, both on
quince and pear roots, than any other cultivator, and by his large
contributions to our exhibitions, — aside from air this, we recall his
services as Treasurer, commencing in the comparatively earl}^
history of the Society, and continuing for many 3'ears, during all
which time he so managed the financial affairs of the Society as to
oive entire satisfaction. We remember him as a merchant, citizen,
husband, and father, and as exemplary in all these relations. We
remember his generous hospitalities, and feel that we are greatly
indebted to him, and that our loss is irreparable.

Marshall P. Wilder said that he could not allow this occasion to
' pass without saying one word as a testimonial of respect and affec-

DECEASE OF W. R. AUSTIN — ^APPROPRIATIONS. 123

tion for his deceased friend. His acquaintance with Captain Austin
commenced fifty j-ears ago, and from that time he had felt a most
sincere regard for him. He was full of enterprise ; he gave the
most assiduous personal care, when it was possible, to the cultiva-
tion of his trees. As Treasurer, he was most careful and accurate,
and an example to all who shall follow him ; and for his services in
that capacity, we owe him many thanks. Mr. Wilder spoke of the
services of Captain Austin at the time of the erection of the present
Hall of the Society, and of his caution, as shown by his hesitation
in signing the report in favor of building. He was a townsman of
the speaker, and, as a neighbor, he was unobtrusive, kind, and
genial.

Vice President Hove}"" spoke of Captain Austin's services as
Chairman of the Committee on Gardens, in which position he knew
him best, and said that all would remember him as one who had
done as much for the Society in that direction as any other
member.

The resolutions were unanimously passed, and the Society
adjourned to Saturday, November 16.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, November 16, 1878.

A meeting of the Society was holden to-day at 11 o'clock,
agreeably to adjournment. Vice President C. O. Whitmoke in the
chair.

The Executive Committee recommended the following appropria-
tions for the 3'ear 1879 :

For Prizes, $3,050 00

For the Library Committee, ... 200 00

For the Committee on Publication and Discussion, 150 00
Agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws these recommenda-
tions were laid over until the first Saturday in January.

Adjourned to Saturday, December 7.

124 IVIASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, December 7, 1878,

An adjourned meeting of the Soclet}' was holden at 11 o'clock,
Vice President CO, Wiiitmore in the chair,

W. C. Strong, Chairman of the Committee on Publication and
Discussion, read the Annual Report of that Committee, which was
accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication. Mr. Strong,
also, in replj' to an inquirj^, stated the, plans of the Committee in
regard to meetings for discussion during the coming season,

Mrs, H, L, T, Wolcott, Secretary of the Special Committee on
"Window Gardening, read the Report of that Committee, which was
accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication.

On motion of W. C. Strong it was Voted, That the thanks of the
Societ}^ be presented to Mrs. E. Tisdale Talbot, Rev, Rufus Ellis,
Rev. George J. Prescott, and the other ladies and gentlemen who
have co-operated with the Societ}^ in the promotion of Window
Gardening, for the care with which they have endeavored to interest
the children in Boston and vicinity, in the culture of plants.

Joseph H. Woodford, Chairman of the Committee on Gardens,
read the Annual Report of that Committee.

Waldo O. Ross, Chairman of the Library Committee, read the
Annual Report of that Committee.

William H. Spooner, Chairman of the Committee on Plants and
Flowers, read the Annual Report of that Committee.

Charles N. Brackett, Chairman of the Committee on Vegetables,
read the Annual Report of that Committee.

These reports were severally accepted and referred to the Com-
mittee on Publication.

The Chairman of the meeting reported from the Executive Com-
mittee the list of Prizes to be offered for the year 1879, with the
approval of that Committee, Also, from the same Committee, a
recommendation that the Society appropriate tliree hundred dollars
for the expenses of the Committee of Arrangements for the year
1879,

Letters were presented from Waldo 0, Ross, Charles S, Sargent,
and Daniel T, Curtis, declining the positions on the Committee of

REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE, VACAJSTCIES FILLED. 125

Arrangements, Committee on Gardens, and Committee on Vegeta-
bles, to which they had respectively been elected.

Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to nominate
candidates to fill the vacancies in the committees for the year 1879,
caused b}- these declinations. The Chair appointed as that Com-
mittee, CM. Hovey, James Comley, and C. N. Brackett.

Voted, That the reading of the Report of the Committee on
Fruits be postponed for one week.

Adjourned to Saturda}^, December 14.

BUSINESS MEETING.

Saturday, December 14, 1878.

A meeting of the Society was holden to-da}^, agreeably to ad-
journment, Vice President CO. Whitmore in the chair.

John B. Moore, Chairman of the Committee on Fruits, read the
Annual Report of that Committee.

It was moved by N. B. White, and seconded by J. W. Talbot,
that the portion of the Report of the Fruit Committee relating to
hybrid grapes, be stricken out. After discussion hj Messrs. White,
Moore, Talbot, J. C Hovey, B. G. Smith, and James Cruick-
shanks, the motion was negatived.

The Report of the Fruit Committee was then accepted and
referred to the Committee on Publication.

Robert Manning read his Annual Report as Secretary, which
was accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication.

The Committee appointed at the last meeting to nominate candi-
dates for the vacancies in the Standing Committees of the Society
for the year 1879, made a report which was accepted, and, agree-
ably thereto, John G. Barker was elected to fill the vacancy in the
Committee on Gardens ; John Fillebrown was elected to fill the
vacancy in the Committee on Vegetables ; and E. W. Wood was
elected to fill the vacancy' in the Committee of Arrangements.

On motion of John B. Moore it was Voted, That the Fruit Com-

126 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

mittee award the income of the French Fund, to an amount not
exceeding thirty dollars per annum, in prizes for apples ; and that
the number of prizes, time of award, and other details, be at the
discretion of the Committee.

Voted, That the subject of baskets for the exhibition of straw-
berries be referred to the Committee for Establishing Prizes, with
full powers.

J. W. Talbot made some interesting remarks on the Influence of
the Stock on the Graft, and expressed a desire that the subject
should be discussed by the Society. On motion of M. H. Merriam
it was Voted, That Mr. Talbot be requested to prepare a paper on
the subject mentioned by him, to be read at such time as may be
fixed b}^ the Committee on Discussion.

The meeting was then dissolved.

■ REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

By WILLIAM H. SPOONER, Chairman.

Assuming the duties of bis office unexpectedly, and at a time
when the work of the year had already commenced, the Chairman
of the Flower Committee could hardh' hope to bring to the position
that careful preparation which alone could enable him to fulfil its
requirements ; but, while begging 3'our charitable judgment towards
his official shortcomings, he need not make the same request with
regard to the exhibitions of the past 3'ear, which have been unusually
good, and several of them much above the average. First among
these may be mentioned that of March 2d, with the forced Perpetual
Roses, Cyclamens, and Orchids. The Rose Show was particularly
noticeable for the increased number of competitors for the larger
prizes, although your Committee were disappointed in not seeing
more of the new roses introduced in 1875, which was rich in choice
varieties and roses of remarkably sweet perfume. The Annual
Exhibition was, in many respects, the best ever held by the Societ}',
especiall}' in the collections of fine plants, some of them from
parties whom we shall hope to see often hereafter. It is much to
be regretted that this exhibition was not more full}' appreciated and
visited by the public ; and we trust the shows of the next season,
with the changes proposed in the manner of conducting them, will
prove more remunerative to the 8ociet3\ Many of the smaller
weeklj' shows have been made particularl}' interesting b}' contribu-
tions of new and rare plants and flowers, which j'our Committee
have endeavored to encourage by suitable recognition.

128 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The display of Cut Flowers, daring the whole season, has been
unusually good ; W. K. Wood has been a constant contributor,
taking the first prize every Saturda}^ since June 1st. His stands
have been arranged with peculiar taste, and his selections of flowers
have been remarkably good ; we feel justified in commending such
a youthful florist for his successful efforts. Mrs. E. M. Gill has
also been a constant contributor to this department of the exhibi-
tions, furnishing excellent assortments, and displaying good judg-
ment in their arrangement, usually securing the second prize.
Good displays have also been made during the season by James
O'Brien, W. J. Vass, J. B. Moore, and George Craft.

January 19.

H. H. Hunnewell exhibited a fine plant of Coelogyne cristata, a
ver}^ beautiful orchid, bearing five or six flowers on a drooping
spike, the flowers being about three inches across, and of a pure
white color, with a golden blotch on the lip. Its early blooming
makes it peculiarl}' valuable. From James Comley came a novelty
for the season in the form of forced Larkspur, particularly well
bloomed.

January 26.

Mrs. A. D. Wood presented /?•/." cristata, which appears admira-
bly^ adapted for forcing for florist's use.

February 23.
J. B. Moore exhibited ver}' fine H3'brid Perpetual Roses, and
James Comley a basket of very superior, mostly new, dark colored
roses of the same class.

March 2.

Hovey & Co., and C. M. Atkinson, exhibited choice collections
of Camellias. Orchids from F. L. Ames, and CM. Atkinson, were
particular!}^ noticeable. C. B. Gardiner again exhibited a large
number of plants of his fine improved strain of Cyclamen Persicum,
though the individual plants were not quite as large as those he
presented last j'ear. Mr. Gardiner received the first and second
prizes, to which he was justly entitled, although no competitor con-
tested the honors with him. Considering the simple culture required
for this popular flower, it seems surprising that there are not more
presented at our shows.

REPORT OF CJOMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 129

Hybrid Perpetual Roses. — For six plants, James Comley
was first with Abel Carriere, Jean Liabaucl, Mad. Emilie Verdier,
Mad. Herivaux, Royal Standard, and Mad. Prosper Langier. J.
B. Moore was second with Captain Christy, Alfred Colomb, Mad.
Laeharme, Marquise de Castelane, Ljonnaise, and Richard Wallace.
In the competition for three plants, J. B. Moore was first with
Mad. Baronne de Rothschild, John Hopper, and Mad. Eugenie
Verdier. James Comley was second with Rev. J. B, M. Camm,
Duchesse de Vallombrosa, and Jean Sonpert. For a single plant,
J. B. Moore took the first and second pi'izes with Mad. Baronne
de Rothschild, and Marquise de Castellane. For Tender Roses,
James Comlej' was awarded the prize for twelve cut blooms, offer-
ing:

Belle L3-onnaise, Isabella Sprunt,

Bon Silene, Marechal Niel,

Catherine Mermet, Niphetos,

Climbing Devoniensis, Pauline Labonte,

Climbing Hermosa, Souvenir de la Malmaison,

Gloire de Dijon, Triomphe de Rennes.

Mrs. E. M. Gill exhibited a fine stand of Cut Flowers, well
arranged, receiving the only prize. Hyacinths from CM. Atkin-
son were remarkabl}' good. — choice varieties, and grown with such
skill as to receive all the awards in the several sections.
F. L. Ames exhibited from his choice collection :

Catlleya amethystoglossa. Ejndendrum macrocliilum al-

Coelogyne cristata major, hum,

Cypripedium Sedeni, Epidendrum macrocliilum ro-

Dendrobium Ainsworthii, seum,

Dendrobium crassinode Bar- Lcelia fiava,
berianum, Lycaste Skinneri,

Dendrobium heterocarpum, Saccoldbium curvifolium.

DendrocMlum glumaceum.
The Dendrobium Ainsworthii As a new hybrid, imported from
England in 1877, and this was probably the first time it has flowered
in the United States.

March 9.
Marshall P. Wilder exhibited a very large plant of azalea Ex-
quisita, fully bloomed, measuring six feet in height and fifteen and
a half feet in circumference.
3

130 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

Mabch 16.

James Cartwright sent a well flowered plant of Dendrohium
Wardianum, said to be the finest Dendrobe in cultivation. It is
described as a native of Assam ; flowers usually in pairs ; ^epals
and petals white and waxy, tipped with magenta ; lip, rich orange.
James Comley presented a fine plant of Mad. Baronne de Roths-
child rose, grafted upon the Dog Rose.

Makch 23.

F. L. Ames exhibited a plant of Dendrohium Falconeri, a species
seldom seen in collections of orchids, and very difficult of cultivation ;
the plant, though not fully in bloom, was sufficiently so to indicate
its great beauty. Also, a fine plant of Odontoglossum Rossii major ^
a desirable orchid from Mexico ; the "specimen shown was small,
but well in flower, evincing skill in cultivation. From James
Comley came a small collection of choice roses, among which was
especially noticeable the fine new Hj'brid Perpetual, Miss Hassard,
of delicate pinkish flesh color, large and fine form, uncommonly
fragrant, and said to be a free autumnal bloomer.

March 30.

We had from Hove}' & Co., rhododendron Countess of Derby,
of the Sikkim type ; flowers verj- large, pure white ; also, seedling
azaleas, promising well. From W. E. Endicott, Oxalis odorata, a
very pretty variety, of the tuberous rooted type, suited to garden
or house culture, blooming throughout the season ; color, light
lavender.

AZALEA EXHIBITION.

April 6.

Although the number of contributors was not large, the plants
shown were particularly good, Marshall P. Wilder, and J. B.
Moore, being the principal exhibitors. Col. Wilder's plants were
very well bloomed, and several of them well trained. He was the
only exhibitor of six named varieties, and was awarded the
prize for the following sorts : Fair Ellen, Wilderi, President
£douard de Ghellinck, Variegata, Watsonii, and Criterion. From
John B. Moore came some excellent plants in good varieties, well

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 131

grown and flowered, although they were not of very large size.
For the best six varieties in ten-inch pots, Mr. Moore was first
with Superba, Hermann Siedel, Marie Vervaene, Mrs. Turner,
L'Eclatant, and Fran9ois de Vos. Marshall P. Wilder was second
with Model, Prince Albert, Decora, Bijou de Paris, Mad. Verschaf-
felt, and Countess of Beaufort. The question was presented to the
Committee whether the last mentioned collection should be ruled out,
for the reason that one pot measured ten and three-quarters inches,
while in Mr. Moore's collection were two pots measuring ten and
one-quarter inches in diameter ; the latter were of English manu-
facture with very thick rims, which increased the width, although
undoubtedly made for ten inch pots ; but as these were the only
collections competing for the prize, the Committee unanimously
voted to retain them, and the award was made as above. Ex-
hibitors should bear in mind the rules of the Society in regard to
the size of pots in which plants are to be exhibited, as in cases of
close competition the Committee must rule out all violating the con-
ditions of the Schedule. The competitors for the prizes for single
specimens were J. B. Moore, Marshall P. Wilder, and Hovey & Co.,
but none of the plants offered were deemed worthy of the first prize.
J. B. Moore was awarded the second prize for Decorator, exhibit-
ing, also, in collection, Todmani, Flag of Truce, Stella, Extranei,
Juliana, Jean Verschaffelt, Acme, and Mile. Marie Lefebvre.

Fine Pansies came from James Cartwright, and J. B. Moore ; and
from Edward Butler an admirable plant of Cypripedium barbatum
grandijloruvi. From George E. Davenport, Pyxidanthera barbu-
lata, found in the pine barrens of New Jersey, " a charming little
prostrate and creeping evergreen ; the rose-colored buds are as
prett}^ nestling among the copious foliage, as the fully expanded
white flowers."

Apkil 27.

James Cartwright exhibited Dendrobium ParisJiii and Pliaius
Wcdlichii; these are choice species, and the plants were grown
with Mr. Cartwright's usual skill. From George E. Davenport
came rare early native plants.

May 4.

The Pelargonium show was a complete failure. In view of the
very liberal premiums offered bj' the Society for this class of plants,

132 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

it seems remarkable that no competitors should have appeared,
although ten days of extreme dampness, followed by two of exces-
sive heat, just before the date of the exhibition, undoubtedly
destroyed the beauty of the plants. John Parker presented a
remarkably well-grown plant of tricolor pelargonium Peter Grieve,
grown in a dwelling-house ; an admirable example of successful
cultivation. Mr. Parker gives his method of culture as follows :

" The plant exhibited was grown in my dining-room at a south
window ; I have had it three years. In the summer it was plunged
in the garden, and when taken up in the fall was cut back severety
and re-potted, the old earth being completel}' shaken out from the
roots. After January, it was enriched once a fortnight with weak
liquid manure. I use about a pint of hen droppings, which I first
scald with boiling water (to destroy any germs of animal life that
may exist in it) , and then add about two gallons of water* ; I wait
for it to settle, and do not use the sediment. Once a week I wash
mj plants thoroughly by dashing water upon them in the open air,
if the weather is mild enough. I also wash the pots as often as
once a fortnight, and stir the surface of the earth with a fork. If
you would have brilliant tri-colored pelargoniums, keep them near
the glass, in the full blaze of the sun, from January to May."

Calceolarias, and Herbaceous Plants, were not shown for prizes,
and it is the unanimous opinion of 3"0ur Committee that it would be
better hereafter to fix the exhibition of the latter plants two or
three weeks later in the season. From Norton Brothers came
seven large and well-grown plants of hydrangea Thomas Hogg.
James Cartwright exhibited Cypripedium hirsutissimum and Deii-
drobium Devonianum, the latter a very free bloomer and valuable
for cut flowers.

Mat 25.

J. S. Richards brought a good collection of late single and double
Tulips, also, some very fine seedling Pansies. From Joseph Tailby
there was Dendrohium chrysotoxum, a fine orchid, growing about a
foot and a half high, throwing up its flower scape from near the top
of its stem ; color, a light yellow, changing to a darker shade. It
is somewhat surprising that Mr. Tailby received this plant from
abroad only three days previous to the exhibition, its remarkably

* The Committee consider this a, very poivej-fulliquid manure, and would advise
great caution in its use.

EEPOET OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 133

fresh and healthy condition, and fine preservation of bloom, attesting
the skill of the shippers, Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, England, in
the packing of plants. It is gratifjdng to notice the increased
attention of our commercial cultivators to the rarer and more deli-
cate species of plants. Prof. C. E. Hamlin, of Waterville, Maine,
sent, by J. W. Merrill, a beautiful specimen of that rare plant,
Calypso horealis.

Mat 18 and 25.

F. B. Hayes exhibited beautiful collections of Rhododendrons,
many of them new varieties.

June 1.

Marshall P. Wilder was the on\y competitor for the premiums
for Tree Pfeonies, and received the first prize for some very large
flowers, among them Louis Van Houtte and Louis Mouchelet, the
former measuring nine inches in diameter ; also Lactea, Neumanni,
and Purpurea, and seedlings grown by the late Dr. Kirtland.
From H. H. Hunnewell came a stand of forty-eight varieties of
new and rare Rhododendrons, for which the Society's Silver Medal
was awarded. The collection was well worthy the highest of the
Hunnewell premiums, but as the giver declines competing for his
own special prizes, and as the Societ}' offers but one prize for rhod-
odendrons, and that for a general collection, the Committee were
unable to confer a higher award.

Mr. Hunnewell also exhibited the new and beautiful Azalea
mollis, in several varieties, with much larger flowers than the
common Ghent sorts. Hovey & Co., and B. G. Smith, exhibited
excellent collections of Hardj' Azaleas ; from the latter the follow-
ing varieties : Baron George Pj'ke, C^oncinna, Gloire de Belgique,
Ne Plus Ultra, Princeps Speciosa, and Punicea. Hovey & Co.
showed a single truss of flowers of a remarkably beautiful variet}',
Superbissima, of flaming orange color.

H. H. Hunnewell sent two new June flowering clematis ; Fair
Rosamond, — flowers blush white, with a slight tinge of red up the
centre of each sepal ; and Stella, — Hght violet, a deep reddish brown
in the centre of each sepal, both of them delicatelj^ fragrant. Also,
Andromeda Cateshoii, a rare species. Joseph H. Woodford also
sent a beautiful assortment of hard}' flowering clematis. John L.
De Wolf exhibited a choice collection of seedling Pansies in many

134 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETf.

colors — one of the best assortments shown this season. Joseph
Tailby showed Cattleya Mossice, a beautiful free flowering species,
about one foot in height, blooming from March to August.

June 8.

F. B. Ha^^es exhibited very beautiful varieties of Rhododendrons
and hard}' shrubs, and George P^ Davenport, Cyprijiediiim speo-
tahile and Hudsonia tomentosa.

ROSE SHOW.

June 19.

This proved much better than was anticipated from the uncom-
monly cool weather preceding it, which retarded the roses, and
tended to mar their loveliness. President William Gray, Jr., J. B.
Moore, John C. Chaffin, J. 8. Richards, M. D. Spauldiug, and
E. W. AVood were the principal exhibitors. The first prize for the
best twelve varieties was awarded to John C. Chaffin for
Baron de Bonstettiu, Louis Van Houtte,

Baronne de Rothschild, Mad. Charles Crapelet,

Captain Christy, Mad. Victor Verdier,

Charles Lefebvre, M'lle. Eugenie Verdier,

Countess of Oxford, Mous. Boncenne,

fitienne Levet, Paul Neron.

Mr. Chaffin was the only contributor who furnished a list of
his roses to the Committee.

President Gray was the only competitor for the premium on
varieties sent out since 1875. Moss Roses were not as good as
those of previous years. Very fine Marechal Niel came from
several contributors, M. D. Spauldiug taking the first prize.
There was no competition for the prizes for Gloxinias.
F. L. Ames exhibited six plants from his superb collection of
Orchids, as follows : Dendrobium McCartMce, Brassia verrucosa^
Cypripedium caudatum, Cypripedium Dommianuvi, Cyprijyedimn
nioeum, and Thunia Bensonioe. The most noticeable of these was
Cypripedium caudattim. The long, pendant, linear, wavy tails
into which the petals are developed, and from which the specific
name is derived, are very extraordinary. They are about eighteen

EEPOET OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 135

inclies in length, and are qnite short when the flower begins to open,
but grow at the rate of from four to five inches a day. Mr. Ames
also showed Utricularia montana. Sweet Williams were very good
from several contributors. George E. Davenport, E. H. Hitchings,
and Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, presented rare native plants. From
Curtis, Cobb & Washburn, came six strikingly beautiful varieties
of Japanese Maples, viz. : Acer polymorplium reticulatum (white),
ground very distinct ; A. p. album variegatum, A. p. versicolor,
A. p. sangidneum, A. p. roseum marginatum, and A. p. dissectum
atropurpureum .

On this occasion, and also on the 22d and 26th of June, J. R.
Brewer exhibited Andromeda speciosa, a beautiful species bearing
racemes of pure white flowers on the upper portion of tlie stem.
The plants were imported by Mr. Brewer about twelve 3'earsago as
A. fioribunda, but proved far superior to that species, and, with
him, perfectly hard}^

It would seem that the Rose Exhibition should be made to yield
some revenue to the Society, as it can be rendered peculiarly attrac-
tive to the pubHc.

STRAWBERRY SHOW.

June 26.

President William Gra3% Jr., J. B. Moore, and J. S. Richards,
exhibited very fine collections of Hj-brid Perpetual Roses. Mr.
Moore's were made particularly interesting by being named.

F. L. Ames showed Lcelia majalis, a grand orchid from Mexico ;
the specimen was the first ever exhibited in this country ; color,
beautiful rose, the lip striped and spotted with chocolate. Williams
sa3-s it is "the finest of the genus, blooming upon the 3'oung
growth, and lasting five or six weeks in beauty."

Delphiniums were not as good as in some previous seasons ; we
missed Ex-President Parkman's fine collection. E. H. Hitchings
exhibited Osmunda cinnamomea frondosa, an unusual form, nearl}^
all the fronds being fertile ; also, Hottonia inflata, or Water Violet,
a singular plant. From J. C. Hovey, Richardson's herbaceous
pseonies, Grandiflora, Rubra Superba, and Dorchester — remarkably
fine flowers. Miss E. M. Harris presented a most artistically
arranged Table Design, composed chiefl}' of the flowers of native
plants.

136 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

June 29.

Francis Parkman exhibited a beautiful collection of seedlings
from B'is Kcemjjferi (fibrous rooted) ; the seed was received by
him last season from Baden-Baden. Various shades of color were
represented, from pure white to deep purple, light rose, mottled or
bizarre, dark maroon, and 3^ellow blotched at the base. These irises
are perfectly hardy, and must prove a great acquisition.

July 6.

A. P. Calder presented Nymphcea odorata var. rosea, ver}^ beau-
tiful ; color, clear rose or pink ; and E. L. Beard, Odontoglossum
cirrJiosum, Zygopelalum rostratam, and Vanda ccerulea.

July 13.

We had one of the best miscellaneous exhibitions. From J. B.
Moore, J. S. Richards, A. McLaren, and J. Nugent, came very fine
Hollyhocks ; from Messrs. Nugent and Richards, superior Carna-
tions and Picotees ; from J. B. Moore, fine Gloxinias, and from J.
Tailby a very fine, well grown plant of Bi^assia verrucosa. Also,
from E. L. Beai'd several plants of Torenia Fournieri, a very desira-
ble species, almost perpetual blooming. From F. Parkman, a
seedling Lily, a cross between L. longiflorum and L. auratum. The
first year of its blooming showed no perceptible change : the plant
formed seed very sparingly, but what was produced was sown, and
the result is an increased vigor of the plant. The flower partakes
lai'gely of the form of X. longijlorum, but has the tube swollen ;
the color of the anthers is changed to a bright orange. Your Com-
mittee did not deem the improvement of sufficient importance to
merit special commendation, but hope it may lead to a change of
color in this beautiful class of lilies.

July 20.

James Comle}^ brought a small plant of a native Maple, with
clearl}^ striped foliage, found by him in a swamp near Lexington ; if
he succeeds in growing the plant, and retaining its remarkable leaf
coloring, it will prove a valuable addition to our hardy ornamental
foliaged trees. From J. R. Brewer, Acer Colchicum, from Japan ;
probably perfectly h^rdy ; the growing tips of the stems are prettily

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 137

bronzed ; foliage very striking, resembling that of an English Ivj-
in form.

Ver}' fine Holl3-hocks were shown b}' J. B. Moore, J. S. Richards,
E. Sheppard, and James Nugent ; we are glad to note an increasing
interest in this show}^ plant. Your Committee would suggest that
hereafter hollyhocks presented for prizes should be shown in rose
boxes.

From F. L. Ames, a beautiful plant of Cattleya Doiuiana, flowers
ver}^ large, of a nankeen color, the lip being rich velvety purple,
streaked with gold. " Tliis is, probably, the most beautiful
of the many gorgeous forms which the genus Cattleya has pro-
duced."

There was no competition for the prizes for Greenhouse Flowers ;
the third prize was awarded to the onl}' exhibitor.

July 27.

F. B. Hayes sent Aralia (DimorpJianthus) ManchMirica, a
new hardy ornamental shrub from Japan, with creamy white flowers ;
probably perfectly hardy. It is described and figured in the
"Gardener's Chronicle," Vol. X. (n. s.), p. 592.

August 3.

The exhibition was not as good as usual ; of Balsams, only two
stands were shown, and of Stocks only one, neither of which was
considered worth}- of the first prize. There were but two competi-
tors for the prizes for Annuals and Perennials. Mrs. C. N. S.
Horner placed in the stands a very fine collection of native flowers,
with their names, which add very greatl}' to the value of such an
exhibition ; among them several rare sorts were noticeable, viz. :
Utricxdaria resiqyinata, U. cornuta, Lobelia Djrtmanni, Lycopo-
dium inundatimi, Sabbatia cJdoroides^ and Asdepias verticillata.
From F. Parkman, one of his excellent seedUng phloxes, Mrs.
Derby, a remarkably fine variety, of great vigor, with very large
flowers, having a rich carmine eye, shading to white at the outer
edge of the petals ; of ver^- branching habit, bringing out the in-
dividual flowers prominently ; a very earl}' flowering variety of the
autumnal t3'pe of phlox.

From Miss S, W, Story, Lilium LeiddUrdi, of the martagon
type, the divisions of the perianth rolling back from near the base ;
4

138 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

color, deep bright yellow, profusely spotted with purplish red dots.
The plant is apparentl}^ of slender growth, from two to three feet
high ; coming from Japan, it may prove hardy. It was exhibited
at the Hall, September 2d, 187G, but does not appear to have been
introduced to cultivation extensively. From Miss E. M. Harris,
ver}' fine specimens of Lobelia cardiiialis, both the common and
var. albtty found on the borders of Stony Brook.

From E. H. Hitchings, the following rare native plants : Orchis
blephariglottis, Orchis tridentata, Sarracenia jjurpurea, Cornus
Canadensis (ripe fruit and flower) , Sabbatia chloroides (white and
red), Goodyera repens, Cassia chamcecrista, and Polygala polygama.

«

August 10.

The display of Perennial Phloxes was not equal to that of former
years, the extremely wet weather of the previous week having in-
jured the beauty of the flowers. J. B. Moore, and A. McLaren,
were the only contributors, the former taking the first prize with
the following varieties :

Chimene, Mad. Langier,

Croix d'Honneur, Mad. Moissette,

Czarina, Michel Buchner,

Depute Berlet, Saison Lierval,

Heloise, Souvenir de Berryer.

The competition for the prizes for Petunias was much larger than
usual, George Craft, James Nugent, Mrs. A! D. "Wood, and Mrs.
W. Latham, contributing fine collections. The Committee were
compelled to rule out the first three exhibits, as they each contained
one spike more in a single bottle than the Schedule specified, and
Mrs. Latham received the only prize awarded.

W. T. Andrews presented a few seedling flowers of the new
double, large-flowering, fringed petunia. This was sent out last
year by E. Benary, the eminent German seedsman. Mr. Andrews
has given his petunia the name of Miss Anna Bigelow. This strain
of seed is undoubtedly one of the finest ever presented to the horti-
cultural world ; its flowers are very large — Mr. Benary says, "as
large as double garden poppies," with all varieties of brilhant color.

report of committee on plants and flowers. 139

August 17.

The display of Gladioli was in most respects very good, although
some growers complained that the prize day was a week too early,
heavy rains having injured the flowers. Good collections were
shown by A. McLaren, J. S. Richards, M. H. Merriam, H. Glea-
son, and G. Crafts ; several fine new French varieties were on the
table.

E. L. Beard contributed the following very desirable free-flowering
orchids : Disa grandijlora, Odontoglossum Bictonense, and Oncidium
ornitliorliynclium. Joseph Tailby showed several verj' fine seedling
carnations, grown from seed of La Purete and Boule de Neige ;
several of them will undoubtedly prove valuable for florists' use.
From Miss E. M. Harris, there was a Table Design composed of
native ferns, arranged with her usual excellent taste.

August 24.

Asters were not as well represented as usual, some growers
complaining that the prize day was too earl}', but veiy good stands
were exhibited by E. Sheppard, J. B. Moore, and A. McLaren, who
received the three prizes in the order of their names.

T. Putnam Symonds brought a remarkable spike of flowers of
Lilium auratum, grown upon a stem seven feet high, measuring at
the base an inch and a half in diameter, widening at the top to
three inches, and consisting of several smaller stems, merged into
one broad, flat stem. This bore, when exhibited, one hundred and
fort}' expanded flowers, probabl}' the largest number ever seen in
this country or England, on one stem, though the individual flowers
were rather smaller than the type. We shall be curious to notice
the condition of the plant next season, and to know whether such
profuse blooming will kill it, or whether it can continue its wonder-
ful development. This lily has proved very unreliable with most
cultivators in this countr}' , blooming for a few 3'ears \evy luxuri-
antly, and d3'ing suddenly without apparent cause. J. F. C. Hj'de
sent a seedling gladiolus, pure white, some of the lower divisions
striped with pink.

August 31.

Hove}' & Co. showed a Yerj fine group of Lilium Melpomene.
Verbenas were very well exhibited b}' six competitors, Messrs.

140 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Sheppard, Moore, and McLaren, obtaining the prizes. James
Comley showed a seedling verbena, which promises to be a desira-
ble sort ; truss, large ; color, bright crimson, very dark centre, and a
very large e3'e. From Mace}' Randall, very good dahlias. Norton
Brothers exhibited a collection of excellent asters in pots. There
were fine spikes of gladioli from G. Craft, J. Cartwright, and J. S.
Richards.

SErXEMBER 7.

The exhibition of Zinnias, if not the best, was probably the
largest ever made before the Society. There were seven com-
petitors in the class of twenty flowers, and nine in that of ten
flowers, but again the rains of the few previous daj-s had damaged
the flowers, man}' of them being coarse, and hardly up to the
standard. J. B. Moore took the highest prize ; his flowers were
arranged with his usual good taste in the combination of colors.
From Hove}^ & Co., there were two small plants of the new Coleus
multicolor, ' ' the leaves deeply cut, at the edges undulating ; its
green color is splashed and spotted with crimson reddish rose, and
the young leaves with yellow."

ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

September 17, 18, 19, and 20.

As a whole, this was the best ever made by the Societ}^
Greenhouse Plants. — The exhibitors of twelve were H. H.
Hunnewell, S. R. Pa^^son, William Gray, Jr., and Hovey & Co.,
Messrs. Hunnewell and Payson taking the first and second prizes.
Messrs. Hovey & Co.'s collection was remarkably fine, as was also
that of President Gra3^ Mr. Hunnewell's twelve plants were as
follows : —

■ Alocasia metallica, Maranta eximia,

" Veitchii, " Makoyana,

Croton pictum, " pardina,

Eurya latifolia, var., Pandanus graminifoUus,

Ficus Parcellii, Phyllotceidum Lindenii,

Hydrangea spedosa, SplicErogyne latifolia.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 141

Great credit is due to Mr. Harris, Mr. Hunnewell's accomplished
gardeuer, for liis skill in the grouping of his plants.
Mr. Parson was second with —

Alocasia macrorhiza, var., Dcemonorops Jissus,

*■' Sedeni^ Dracmna Mooreana,

Anthurium crystalUnum, Euterpe edulis,

(Jocos Weddelliana, Maranta Veitchii,

Croton variegatufi, Pandanus Veitchii,

CyanojyhyHitm magnijicum, Paullinia thalictri folia.

Specimen Plant. — The first prize was awarded to President
Gra}' for Pandanus re/iexus, and the second to Hove}' & Co., for
Cycas revoluta.

Specimen Flowering Plant.— Hove}^ & Co. took both prizes ;
the first with AHamanda Render soni, and the second with Peris-
teria elata, or Dove Flower.

Variegated Leaved Plants. — The first prize was taken by H.
H. Hunnewell, with Croton coriiutum, C. Johannis, C. Moore-
anus, C. Weismanni, Maranta bicolor, and Pandanus Veitchii.
The second prize . by President Gra}^, with Agave schidigera,
Ananassa. sativa var., Croton interruptum, Cucurligo variegata,
Phormium tenax var., and Yxicca quadricolor. Messrs. Hovey &
Co. were also competitors iu this class with fine plants.

For the best single specimen, not oflfered in any collection, the
first prize was awarded to Hovey & Co., for Phormiu7n Colensoi.

Caladiums. — President Gray was first, with finely grown, com-
pact plants of Alfred Bleu, Beethoven, Chantini, Meyerbeer,
Triomphe de I'Exposition, and Wightii.

Ferns. — The best six were from J. Warren Merrill, as follows :
Dicksonia Barometz, D. Schiedei, Gleichenia circinata glauca,
G. dicarpa, Oleandra nodosa, and Polypodium pdtideum. The
second prize was awarded to Hovey & Co. for Adiantum decorum,
A. trapezi forme, Alsophila Van Geerti, Asplenimn Fabianum,
Davallia Mooreana and D. Tyermanni.

For the best three Ferns to J. W. Merrill for Aglamorpha
Meyeriana, Nephrodium giganteum, and Polypodium spectrum.
The second to President Gray for Adiantum cuneatum ehgans, A.
gracillimum, and Niphoholus Lingua crisiata.

Adiantums. — For six varieties, the first prize was awarded to S.
R. Payson for remarkably well grown plants of amcdnle, cune-

142 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETr.

atum, Farleyense, formosnm^ gracilUmum., and macropliyUum.
The second to President Gray for assimile, cultratum, cnneatum,
excision multifidum^ Jdndeni, and Peruvianum.

Lycopods were not as good as usual ; President Gray was the
onl}' exhibitor, and was awarded tlie second prize for ajoothecnm,
o^;».s, serpens, Karstenianum, vitimdosum, and letusum.

Dracaenas. — The best six named varieties were exhibited by H.
H. Hunnewell, in verj' choice plants of a mabilis, Baptistii, magynf-
ica, Mooreana, Weismonni, and YoungiL The second prize went
to Hove}^ & Co. for ver}' fine plants of amahilis, ferrea, Hendersoni,
iwperialis, Shephenlii, and Youngii.

Palms. — For the best single specimen, the first prize was
awarded to S. R. Pay son for Pritchardia Pacijica, — a very large
plant of this remarkably robust growing species ; the leaves are
very large ; color, rich dark green. The second prize to Hovey &
Co., for Phoenix redinata, of which Williams says, "it is a fine
greenhouse palm, and will stand uninjured in the sub-tropical
gai-den in summer."

Pitcher Plants were not quite as good as we could wish to see.
President Gray was the only exhibitor, taking the second prize
with Sarracenia purpurea, S. psittacina, and S. rubra.

Agaves. — Very admirable plants were exhibited b}^ Hovey &
Co., who took the first prize with Americana medio-picta, applanata,
Besseriana Candida, heteracantJia coerulescens, hystrix, and xylina-
cantJia.

No exhibit was made of Cacti or Succulents.

New Pot Plant, never before shown at any exhibition of the
Societ3% This prize was awarded to S. R. P-nyson for Maranta
Massangeana, " a ver}^ elegant and distinct novelty, of dwarf com-
pact habit ; leaves, ovate ; ground color, olive green, beautifully
blotched with brown ; up the centr-e of the leaf there is a broad
irregular band of white. The primary veins are verj^ prominent,
and of the same color." Hovey & Co. presented, in competition,
Dracoina Goldieana. The plant being of recent importation was
not in such a condition that the Committee could judge of its
merits, but is highly commended b}" its European introducers.

Gladioli. — The exhibit was not as large as in some previous
3'ears ; George Craft and J. S. Richards were the only com-
petitors, the former receiving the first prize for a stand of very
choice flowers, but with defects in their arrangement, the intro-

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWEPtS. 143

duction of cannas, and other foliage than that of gladioli, marring
the general etfeet. The gladiolus being a plant of sparse foliage
the eye naturally seeks the, well developed spike of flowers, without
regarding other features. J. S. Eichards was second with a fine
collection, lacking somewhat in dark colors, but remarkably well
arranged. James Cartwright and E. Sheppard also exhibited
gladioli. Mr. Cartwright has several times during the season
shown uncommonly good flowers.

Dahlias. — The exhibit was better than for many previous years.
For twelve blooms, H. Gruudel was first with

Beauty of Wilts, Julia Davis,

Charles Breckus, Lady Gladys Herbert,

Duchess, Princess,

Fann}' Stewart, Thomas Goodwin,

Gipsy King, Vesuvius,

John McPherson, Victory.

S. G. Stone was second with

Duke of Edinburgh, Monarch,

Eva, Mrs. Harris,

James Crocker, Orient,

John Standish, Ovid,

Maid of Essex, Princess,

Miss Saunders, William Lucas.

Hove}' & Co. were third with

Chief, Picotee,

George Goodhall, Princess,

James Crocker, Prospero,

John Lamont, Rev. J. B. M. Camm,

King of Beauties, Thomas Goodwin,

Peri, William Lucas.

For six blooms, the first prize was given to S. G. Stone for
Cremorne, Duchess of Cambridge, Lord Derby, Mrs. Edwards,
Peri, and Queen of Beauties. The second to S. G. Stone for
Le Phare, Lettie Coles, Lord Hawke, Picotee, Queen Mab, and
Thomas White. The third to James Nugent for Delicata, John
Standish, Lord Derb}', Peri, Primrose Perfection, and Snow Fleece.
For the best single bloom, the first prize to S. G. Stone, for
Henry Walton, and the second to Macey Randall, for John Standish.
LiLiPUTiANS were noticeablj- fine ; Macey Randall, J. F. Marble,
and S. G. Stone, were the exhibitors.

144 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Cut Flowers. — There was a deficiency in this department,
possibly caused b}' the reduction in the number of prizes ; W. K.
Wood, Mrs. E. M. Gill, and James Nugent, were the only com-
petitors, and the three prizes were awarded in that order.

Baskets of Flowers. — Those from Mrs. S. Joyce and Miss S.
W. Story were particularly good ; so closely contested was this
prize that the Committee had considerable difficulty in deciding
on the awards.

Rustic Stand. — The only exhibitor was W. J. Vass, with a
well designed stand, filled with very choice plants.

Table Designs. — These were all well executed by Mrs. A. D.
Wood, Mrs. E. M. Gill, and C. H. Hovey & Co. ; Mrs. Wood
taking the first, and Mrs. Gill the second prize.

New and Miscellaneous Plants, etc. — F. L. Harris pre-
sented a new seedling Draccena, No. 20, which he has named
BarrisH, a cross between D. Regina and D. stricta; a very
robust growing plant ; color, a beautiful dark green, with a more
generally variegated habit than Regina, in this respect resembling
stricta, though more distinct, the variegation on the upper leaves
extending almost to the midrib. The Committee awarded Mr.
Harris a Silver Medal.

Hovey & Co. showed Lilivm Neilgherrense, a new variety from
•India ; the plant being recently imported was not in the best con-
dition to show its true merit ; foreign descriptions pronounce it
the most magnificent of all Indian lilies. It grows eight thousand
feet above the level of the sea.

F. B. Hayes presented a small plant of Pinus Massoniana var.,
a recent introduction from Japan by Thomas Hogg, which promises
to be a great acquisition ; probably perfectly hardy ; the coloring
is peculiarly beautiful, varying from white to green and yellow.
Also, a rare specimen, from Japan, of Castanea aurea var., the leaves
distinctly marked with delicate white and green ; it is of vigorous
habit, and perfectl}' hard}'.

W. C. Strong & Co. exhibited a young Pear tree upon the
Cydonia Japonica stock. This union is a new experiment, and it
is hardly time to judge of its practical usefulness. The same con-
tributors also presented thirty-three varieties of ornamental foliage
of hardy trees and shrubs, including Maple, Elm, Beech, Birch,
Peach, Hazel, Golden Ash, Golden Spiraea, etc.

J. F. M. Farquhar exhibited a design for a garden, measuring

EEPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 145

five feet two inches in length, and four feet nine inches in width,
arranged in generally good taste, and forming quite a prominent
feature of the exhibition. The design was remarkably well adapted
to the purpose, the chief defect being in some of the proportions,
and in a slight want of harmony in the combinations of color in
planting.

October 5.

F. B. Haj-es showed foliage of a plant received bj- him as Polyg-
onum Japonicum:, — a rapid growing, hard}', climbing plant, with
variegated foliage, in shades of green, gold and mixed colors. Also,
Weigelia alba, pure white and a profuse bloomer. Miss S. W.
Storj"^ exhibited Eulalia Jaj^onica, a lovely Japanese ornamental
grass, with variegated foliage. It attains the height of six or
seven feet, and is crowned in the autumn with graceful plumes of
pale purple flowers, rivalling those of the Gynerium in beaut3^ Re-
taining its flowers persistentl}' in the winter, it is admirabl}' adapted
for decorative purposes. From W. C. Strong came verj- finely
tinted foliage of the new weeping cut-leaved Maple.

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

November 9.

The collection of plants shown was not as large as that of last
3'ear, but was remarkably good. Messrs. F. L. Ames and H. L.
Higginson were the exhibitors of the larger classes. Mr. Ames'
plants were well flowered, and the varieties well chosen, but the
grouping lacked that harmony of color which adds so much to the
effect of a stand of flowered plants. Mr. Higginson's plants were
particularly well grown, and were grouped with good effect, but
deficient in variety of color.

In the general displaj- of cut blooms, E. Sheppard presented a
fine selection in the following varieties :

Alarm, Cossack,

Aurea, Durnflet,

Boadicea, Duchess of Manchester,

Bob, Duke of Edinburgh,

Bronze Jardin des Plantes, Duke of Roxburgh,
5

146

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Ellen Turner,

Empress of India,

Erecta Superba,

Fair Maid of Guernse}',

Gen. Canrobert,

Golden Circle,

Goldlight,

Helen McGregor,

Jardin des Plantes,

Julia Lagravere,

La Brunette,

Lady Slade,

La Fiancee.

La Grande,

Laurinda,

Mad. de Vatry,

Maroon Model,

Mount Etna,

Mrs. George Rundel,

Mrs. Haliburton,

Mrs. Sharp,

Magesta Violet,

Nellie,

Ne Plus Ultra,

Niobe,

Prince of Wales,

Progne,

Purple King,

Rifleman,

Rosabella,

Rose Perfection,

Rosetta,

Snowball,

Venus,

Volunteer,

White Venus,

Mr. Higginson was the only exhibitor of large-flowering varieties,
and received the first prize. Mr. Ames took the first prize for
Pompons, with Gen. Canrobert, La Fiancee, Ninette, Drunflet,
Mad. Vatry, and Mad. MilUez.

There were good stands of Chr3santhemums from Mrs. E. M.
Gill, James Nugent, and J. B. Moore. Single specimen plants were
shown by E. Sheppard, F. L. Ames, H. L. Higginson, and W. J.
Vass.

Mr. Ames contributed a remarkably fine plant of Nepenthes
Chelsoni, a new variet}-, with very large pitchers, of light green ;
the growth of the plant evinced the skill of his gardener, Mr.
Robinson. We hope to see more of these curious and interesting
plants presented for competition. From the same source came
some very fine orchids and other plants as follows : Cattleya labiata,
Cypripedintn Harrisianum, O. Sedeni, Oncidium Barkeri, Capsicum
Princess of Wales, and Sonerila Hendersonii, the last " a stove-
plant of gi'eat beaut3^" leaves dark olive green, spotted with pearly
white ; under surface marbled and veined with crimson ; flowers
bright lilac rose.

EEPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 147

E. Shepparcl brought cut blooms of some superior Pelargoniums,
as follows :

Atlanta, Gelein Souagie,

Cleopatra, . Helen Dick,

Cornet, King Albert (ivy-leaved),

Depute Varro}', La Claire,

Dr. Guigneau, Mad. Thibaut,

fidouard Leqnin, Marie Bertier.

J. B. Moore contributed a pretty vase of flowers, including beau-
tiful blooms of Lapageria rosea and alha.

It is greatly to be regretted that the necessit}" for retrenchment in
the expenses of the Society, compels the adoption of very radical
changes in the prize Schedule, and the reduction in the number of
exhibitions for the coming season ; but we trust the pecuniary
deficienc}' will not be long continued, and that by united and ener-
getic action on the part of exhibitoi's and standing committees,
such drawbacks may be entirely' overcome.

This Committee unanimously believe that a grand semi-centen-
nial exhibition and celebration would be most conducive to awaken-
ing interest, and showing the progress of the Society in its half-
century of life.

The amount of money prizes awarded by the Committee is
$2,068, out of the appropriation of $2,250, leaving a balance of
$182. Prizes were offered from the income of the Hunnewell Funds
to the amount of $119, of which $36 was awarded.

This report was approved by the Committee, December 7, 1878.

WM. H. SPOONER, Chairman.

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR PLANTS
AND FLOWERS.

January 5.

Gratuities : —

James Comley, Cut Flowers, $1 00

J. B. Moore, " " 1 00

C. M. Atkinson, " " 1 00

January 12.
Gratuity :

James Comley, Cut Flowers, 1 00

January 19.

Gratuities : —

James Comley, Cut Flowers, 2 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " 1 00

January 26.

Gratuity : —

Mrs. A. D. Wood, Iris cristata, 2 00

February 2.

Gratuities : —

Mrs. A. D. Wood, Cut Flowers, 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " 1 00

A. P. Calder, Lilacs, 1 00

J. B. Moore, fine Roses, 1 00

L. H. Foster, Roses, 1 00

C. B. Gardiner, " 1 00

February 9.

Gratuities : —

James Comley, Cut Flowers, 2 00

Mrs. A. D. Wood, « " 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " 1 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, " " 1 00

February 16.

Gratuity : —

C. B. Gardiner, Cyclamen, 2 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 149

February 23.

Gratuities : —

Mrs. E. M. GUI, Cut Flowers, $2 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, " " 2 00

Mrs. A. D. Wood, " " 2 00

J. B. Moore, fine Roses, 2 00

J^mes Comley, new Roses, 4 00

March 2.

Camellias. — Display of named varieties, not less than twenty

blooms, Hovey & Co., ........ 5 00

Second, C. M. Atkinson, 4 00

Orchid, Winter Blooming. — Single plant, F. L. Ames, . . . 6 00

Second, C. M. Atkinson, 4 00

Third, F. L. Ames, 2 00

Parlor Bouquets. — Pair, James Nugent, 5 00

Cyclamens. — Six pots, C. B. Gardiner, 6 00

Second, C. B. Gardiner, 5 00

Cut Flowers.— Fifty bottles, Mrs. E. M. Gill, . . . . 5 00
Hybrid Perpetual Roses. — Six plants, of distinct varieties, James

Comley, 10 00

Second, J. B. Moore, 8 00

Three plants, of distinct varieties, J. B. Moore, . . . . 6 00

Second, James Comley, ........ 5 00

Single plant, J. B. Moore, 4 00

Second, " " • . 3 00

Third, James Comley, 2 00

Twelve blooms, of twelve distinct named varieties, J. B. Moore, . 8 00

Six blooms, of six distinct named varieties, J. B. Moore, . . 4 00
Tender Roses. — Twelve blooms, of twelve distinct named varieties,

James Comley, ......... 6 00

Six blooms, of six distinct named varieties, James Nugent, . . 4 00
Hyacinths. — Twelve distinct named varieties, in pots, C. M. Atkin-
son, 6 00

Six distinct named varieties, in pots, C. M. Atkinson, . . . 4 00

Three distinct named varieties, in pots, C. M. Atkinson, . . 2 00

Amaryllis. — Three varieties, in pots, J. B. Moore, . . . . 4 00

Gratuities : —

J. B. Moore, Roses, in pots, 3 00

James Comley, Rose Monsieur Fournier, 1 00

" " new Roses, 3 00

Hovey & Co., Seedling Azaleas, 1 00

Mrs. A. D.Wood, Basket of Flowers, 3 00

C. B. Gardiner, Cyclamens, ........ 10 00

F. L. Ames, collection of Orchids, 15 00

150 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETr.

Hovey&Co., Camellias, in pots, . . . . . . . $2 00

" " Cut Camellias, 1 00

A. Whittet, collection of Heaths, . . . . . . . 5 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, collection of Cinerarias, 3 00

James Nugent, Cut Flowers, 2 00

March 16.
Graiuity : —

James Cartwright, Dendrohium Wardianum, 3 00

March '30.
Gratuities : —

W. J. Vass, Eoses, 1 00

Hovey & Co., Khododendron Countess of Derby, . . . . 1 00

Mrs. A. D.Wood, Basket of Flowers, 100

Mrs. S. Joyce, Cut Flowers, 1 00

James Comley, " " , . ' 1 00

AZALEA EXHIBITION.

April 6.

Indian Azaleas. — Six named varieties, in pots, Marshall P. Wilder,
Six named varieties, in not exceeding ten-inch pots, John B. Moore,

Second, Marshall P. Wilder,

Single specimen, the second prize to John B. Moore, .
Cinerarias. — Six varieties, in pots, E. Sheppard, .
Pansies. — Six distinct varieties, in pots, James Cartwright,

Second, J. B. Moore,

Basket of Flowers. — Best arranged, James O'Brien,
Second, Mrs. A. D. Wood,

Gratuities : —
Edward Butler, Cypripediiim larhatum grandiflorum, .

C. B. Gardiner, Cyclamen and Heath,

Hovey & Co., Azaleas,

James Comley, Pelargoniums and Azaleas, ....
George E. Davenport, Pyxidanthera harhulata,

James O'Brien, Pansies,

Miss S. W. Story, Floral Design,

W. J. Vass, fine Cu1 Flwers,

J. B. Moore, " ".......

James Comley, " "

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " "

J. B. Moore, collection of Azaleas, 4 00

James Nugent, Cut Flowers, . 2 00

25

00

10

00

8

00

6

00

6

00

4 00

3

00

4

00

3

00

5

00

2

00

5

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

6

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 151

April 27.
Gratuities :

James Cartwright, Dendrobinm Parishii, . . . . . $1 00

" " Phaius Wallichii, 2 00

George E. Davenport, rare early Native Plants, . . . . 1 00

May 4.

Table Design.— Mrs. E. M. Gill, 4 00

Tulips. — Twenty-five named flowers, J. S. Richards, . . . 5 00

Gratuities : — ,

James Cartwright, Cyj^ripedium hirsutissimum, and Dendrohium

Devonianum, .......... 5 00

J. S. Richards, Pansies, 1 00

B. G. Smith, " 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " 1 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, Basket of Flowers, . . . . •. . 3 00

Mrs. A. D. Wood, '< " " 3 00

John Parker, Pelargonium " Peter Grieve," . . . . . 4 00

W. J. Vass, fine Cut Elowers, 3 00

J. B. Moore, <' " " 3 00

James Nugent, Cut Flowers, . . . . . . . . 2 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, " " 1 00

E. H. Hitchings, Native Flowers, 1 00

George E. Davenport, " " ...... 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " 1 00

E. Sheppard, Display of Tulips, 2 00

J. S. Richards, " " 3 00

Norton Brothers, Hydrangea Thomas Hogg (very fine), . . . 10 00

Mrs. E; M. Gill^ " " " 2 00

Mat 11.

Gratuities : —

Francis B. Hayes, Hardy Azaleas, . . . . . . . 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Cut Flowers, 1 00

. George E. Davenport, Native Flowers, 1 00

Charles Wm. Jenks, Native Flowers, 1 00

May 18.
Gratuities : —

Mrs. A. D. Wood, Basket of Flowers, 2 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, Cut Flowers, 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " 1 00

B. G. Smith, Pansies, . . . • 1 00

Francis B. Hayes, new Azaleas and Rhododendrons, . , . 2 00

152 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

May 25.

Gratuities : —

JosBTph Tsiilhy, Dendrobiumchrysotoxum, . . . . . $3 00

B. G. Smitli, Hardy Azaleas, 2 00

M. H. Merriam, Hardy Azaleas, ....... 1 00

Francis B. Hayes, fine Rhododendrons, . . . . . . 2 00

James Comley, Sikkim Rhododendrons, . . . . . . 1 00

J. S. Richards, collection of Tulips and Pansies, . . . . 4 00

F. Parkman, Seedling Clematis, ....... 1 00

Marshall P. "Wilder, fine Tree Pajonies, 3 00

O. B. Hadwen, Pansies, 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Cut Flowers, - . 2 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, " " 1 00

June 1.

Tree Peonies. — Six named varieties, Marshall P. Wilder, . . 5 00

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, . . . . . . C 00

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, 5 00

Table Design. — Mrs. S. Joyce, 5 00

Bouquets. — Pair of Parlor, James Nugent, . . . . . 4 00

Hardy Flowering Shrubs. — T^velve named varieties, James Nugent, 4 00

Display of Cut Blooms, J. S. Richards, . . . . . . 3 00

Second, F. Parkman, 2 00

Third, Miss S. W. Story, 1 00

Native Plants. — Display of named species and varieties, Mrs. C.

N. S. Horner, 4 00

Second, George E. Davenport, i . 3 00

Hunnewell Premiums.

Hardy Rhododendrons. — Twelve trusses of blooms, named varie-
ties, Francis B. Hayes, ......

Single truss, Francis B. Hayes, for Mrs. Shuttleworth,
Hardy Azaleas. — Twenty-four named varieties, llovey & Co

Six named varieties, B. G. Smith, .....

Cluster of trusses, Hovey & Co., for Superbissima,

Gratuities : —
H. H. Hunnewell, display of Rhododendrons, .....

B. G. Smith, Rhododendrons,

M. H. Merriam, Rhododendrons and Azaleas, .....

H. H. Hunnewell, collection of Azaleas, ......

" " new Clematis and Andromeda Catesbcei,

Joseph Tailby, Cattleya Mossiev, .......

1^. Cartwright, Oattleya crassifolia and Odontoglossum Alexandres,

Joseph Tailby, Hydrangea Thomas Hogg,

Joseplj H. Woo4ford, fine Hardy Clematis,

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PEIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 153

r. Parkman, Seedling Clematis, $1 00

" " collection of Iris, 1 00

John L. DeWolf, very fine Pansies, 2 00

B. G. Smith, Pansies, . 1 00

James Comley, Seedling Petunias, ....... 2 00

J. B. Moore, Iris and Cut Flowers, . . . . . . , 3 00

James Cruickshanks, Hardy Shrubs, . . . . . . 1 00

Francis B. Hayes, Rhododendrons, ....... 2 00

Miss A. C. Kenrick, Hardy Shrubs, 2 00

D. R. Beckford, Jr., Basket of Flowers, 100

Miss A. C. Wheeler, Dish of Flowers, 1 00

George Craft, Cut Flowers, 3 00

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, Native Plants, 1 00

E. H. Hitcliings, " " 2 00

F. W. Morandi, " " 3 00

E. W. Mitchell, .< , u 2 00

June 8.

Gratuities : —

E. Sheppard, Rhododendrons and Azaleas, 2 00

Joseph Tailby, Oncidium flexuosuin, ....... 2 00

E. Sheppard, Double Ivy Leaved Pelargonium, Iving Albert, . . 2 00
Joseph H. Woodford, Hardy Clematis, 2 00

F. Parkman, Hardy Clematis and Seedling Perennial Poppy, . . 2 00

Mrs. L. P. Weston, Cut Flowers, 2 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " . . . 1 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, <■(■ u j qq

Mrs. A. D. Wood, " " .• 2 00

Geofge Craft, " " . . . . . . . . 3 00

G. E. Davenport, Cypripedium sjjedabile and Iludsonia tomentosa, 1 00
E. H. Hitchings, rare Native Flowers, . . . , . . 1 00
Miss K. A. Hill, " " "... 1 00

Gratuities : —

Mrs. A. D. Wood, Hybrid Perpetual Roses,
J. B. Moore, " "

Miss A. C. Kenrick, Cut Flowers
Mrs. S. Joyce, " " .

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " " .

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, Native Plants,
6

June 15.

iial Roses,

1 00

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1 00

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nts, ....

2 00

154 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ROSE EXHIBITION.

June 19.

Hardy Perpetual Eoses. — Six new varieties sent out since 1875,

William Gray, Jr., #10 00

Twenty-four distinct named varieties, W. Gray, Jr., . . . 20 00

Twelve distinct named varieties, John C. Chaffin, . . . . 10 00

Second, John B. Moore, 8 00

Third, W. Gray, Jr., 6 00

Six distinct named varieties, M. D. Spaulding, . . . . 6 00

Second, John B. Moore, 5 00

Third, J. S. Richards, 4 00

Three named varieties, John B. Moore, 4 00

Second, J. S. Richards, 3 00

Third, M. D. Spaulding, 2 00

Moss Roses. — Twelve named varieties, three clusters each, John

B. Moore, 8 00

Tea Roses. — Twelve Marechal Niel, M. D. Spaulding, . . 5 00
Twelve of any other variety, James Nugent, for Souvenir de Mal-

maison, ........... 5 00

General Display. — J. S. Richards, 10 00

Second, E. W. Wood, 8 00

Third, John B. Moore, 5 00

Stove and Greenhouse Flowering Plants. — Six distinct varie-
ties in bloom, to Hovey & Co., . . . . . . 25 00

Specimen Plant. — Of a kind for which no special prize is offered,
regard being had to new and rare varieties, Hovey & Co., for

Draccena Hendersoni, ........ 8 00

Herbaceous Peonies. — Ten named varieties, Hovey & Co., 5 00

Second, A. McLaren, 4 00

Sweet Williams. — Thirty trusses, not less than six distinct varieties,

E. Sheppard, 3 00

Second, James Nugent, 2 00

Third, A. McLaren, 1 00

Summer Herbaceous Plants. — Display of named species and varie-
ties, James Nugent, 5 00

Second, Miss Sarah W. Story, 4 00

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, 5 00

Second, Miss E. M. Gill, 4 00

Third, James O'Brien, 3 00

Bouquets. — Pair of Parlor, James O'Brien, 4 00

Second, James Nugent, 3 00

Pair of Hand Bouquets, the second prize to James O'Brien, . . 3 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 155

Gratuities : —

Warren Heustis, Hybrid Perpetual Roses, . . . . . $2 00

F. Parkraan, " " " 1 00

John C. Chaffin, " ' " '< 1 00

J. S. Richards, " " " 1 00

James O'Brien, " " " 1 00

F. F. Raymond, Moss Roses, 3 GO

M. D. Spaulding, Tea " 1 00

James Bard, General Jacqueminot Roses, . . . , . . 2 00

W. H. Spooner, collection of Roses, . . . . . . . 5 00

C. H. Hovey& Co., Basket of Roses, 2 00

D. R. Beckford, Jr., << " " 1 00

E. L. Beard, Odontoglossvm, ........ 2 00

Joseph Tailby, Cattleya Mossia, '. 2 00

F. L. Ames, collection of fine Orchids, 15 00

W. C. Strong, Foliage of fine hardy Trees and Shrubs, . . . 3 00

Herbert Gleason, Herbaceous Pseonies, . . . . . . 1 00

B. G. Smith, Kalmia latifolia, . . . . . . . 1 00

Francis B. Hayes, Hydrangea Otaksa (true), and other Flowers, . 2 00

Curtis, Cobb & Washburn, Japan Maples, Retinispora, and Biota, . 3 00

Mrs. G. A. Estabrook, Pansies, 2 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, Herbaceous Plants, . 1 00

John B. Moore, Display of Flowers, . . . . . . . 1 00

James Comley, a a a _ _ 1 00

E. Sheppard, Cut Flowers, 3 00

Mrs. L. P. Weston, " " 2 00

George Craft, an ....... 3 00

Miss A. C. Kenrick, " " 1 00

James Nugent, u u ....... 1 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, Basket of Flowers, 3 00

E. H. Hitchings. Rare Native Plants, 2 00

Mrs. C.N. S.Horner, " " " 2 00

George E. Da\ enport, <' " " 1 00

Miss K. A. Hill, Native Flowers, 1 00

M. W. Clark, 3Iyosotis palustris, . . . . . . . 1 00

June 22.

Gratuities : —

J. B. Moore, Hybrid Perpetual Roses, . . . . . . 3 00

Warren Heustis, " " " 1 00

M. H. Merriam, " " " 1 00

B. G. Smith, " " " 1 00

Mrs. S. Joyce, Cut Flowers, . , , 1 00

156

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

STRAWBERRY SHOW.

June 26.

Delphiniums. — Six named varieties, A. McLaren, .

. Second, J. B. Moore, . . . .
Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, .

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Third, George Craft, ......

Basket op Flowers. — C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Gratuities : —
William Gray, Jr., very fine Hybrid Perpetual Eoses,
John B. Moore, " " " "

J. S. Richards, " " " "

B. G. Smith, " " "

Mrs. A. D. Wood, Basket of Eoses, .
Warren Heustis, Eoses, .....
M. H. Merriam, Hybrid Perpetual Eoses, and Display of Flowers,
J. B. Moore, Eoses and Sweet Williams, ,.
James Nugent, " " " ' . .

W. H. Spooner, Seedling Delphiniums, .
Parker Barnes, fine " " . .

Joseph Tailby, Lilium auratum and Hydrangea^
Harry L. Rand, Sweet Williams,
James Comley, Cut FloAvers and Fuchsias,
Mrs. L. P. Weston, Cut Flowers,
J. C. Hovey, << u ...

Miss E. M. Harris, " " ...

Mrs. S. Joyce, Basket of Flowers, and Display,

D. E. Beckford, Jr., Basket of Flowers, .
Miss E. M. Harris, Table Design,

E. H. Hitchings, Native Flowers,
" " Eare Native Ferns, . .

D. E. Beckford, Jr., Native Flowers,

June 29.

Gratuities : —

B. G. Smith, Hybrid Perpetual Eoses,
Mrs. S. Joyce, Cut Flowers,

July 6.

Carnations and Picotees. — Cut Blooms, twenty-four bottles, the
second prize, to James Nugent, ......

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood,

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, . . . .
Table Design. — Mrs. S. Joyce,

Second, C. H. Hovey & Co.,

$4

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PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 157

Gratuities : —

E. L. Beard, Orchids, $3 00

J. B. Moore, fine Gloxinias, 2 00

A. P. Calder, Nymplicsa odorata, var, rosea, . . . . . 1 00

James Nugent, Display, . 2 00

J. B. Moore, " 2 00

Mrs. L. P. Weston, Cut Flowers, 1 00

Miss S. W. Story, " " 1 00

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Basket of Flowers, 100

D. R. Beckford, Jr., Native Flowers, 1 00

July 13.

Cdt Flowers.— Display, W. K. Wood, 5 00

Second, James O'Brien, . . 4 00

Third, Mrs. E. M. Gill, . . • 3 00

Hand Bouquets. — Pair, W. J. Vass, 3 00

Second, James Nugent, . . 2 00

Table Design. — Mrs. S. Joyce, 3 00

Seqond, C. H. Hovey & Co., . . . . . . . 2 00

Gratuities : —

E. L. Beard, Torenia Fournieri, and Onciclium hastatum, . . 2 00

Joseph Tailby, Brassia verrucosa. . . . . . . . 2 00

James Cartwright, Oncidiimi altissimum, . . . . . 1 00

J. B. Moore, fine Gloxinias, 2 00

J. S. Richards, Carnations, 1 00

" " Lilium longiflorum, . . ■ . . . 2 00

Stiles Frost, " " 1 00

Hovey & Co., Basket of Allamandas, 2 00

J. B. Moore, Hollyhocks and Roses, 2 00

J. S. Richards, " ...... 1 00

A. McLaren, " and Display, 1 00

Francis B. Hayes, Display of Flowers, 2 00

James Nugent, Pinks and Petunias, 1 00

Miss S. W. Story, Basket of Flowers, 100

Mrs. A. D. Wood, " " 1 00

W. J. Vass, choice Cut " 1 00

George Craft, " . " 2 00

Hollyhocks. — Twelve blooms, of twelve distinct colors, J B.

Moore, 6 00

Second, E. Sheppard, • . 4 00

Six blooms, of six distinct colors, James Nugent, . . . . 5 00

Second, J. S. Richards, 3 00

Three blooms, of three distinct colors, J. S. Richards, . . . 2 00

Orchids. — Three varieties, in bloom, F. L Ames, . . . 6 00

158

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Cut Elowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, ....

Second, James O'Brien, ......

Third, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Basket op Flowers. — The second prize to Mrs. S. Joyce,

Gratuities : —
James Comley, Cymbidium aloifolium., ....
James Cartwright, Cattleya Loddigesii, ....
J. W. Manning, Yucca Jilanientosa, .....
J. B. Moore, Hollyhocks and Phlox, ....

Miss A C. Wheeler, Hollyhocks and other Flowers,
J. S. Richards, Hollyhocks and Roses, ....
E. Sheppard, " .......

H. Grundel, "

James Nugent, Hand Bouquets,

Emma H. Gage, Basket of Flowers,

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " "

Miss S. W. Story, Table Design and Cut Flowers, .

W. J. Vass, fine Cut Flowers, ......

George Craft, " "

James Nugent, " "

James Comley, Native Flowers,

E. W. Mitchell, collection of Fungi, ....

$5 00
4 00
3 00
2 00

3 00

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2 00
2 00

1 00

2 00
1 00
1 00
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3 00

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1 00

July 27.

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood,

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Third, James O'Brien,

Fifty named varieties of Greenhouse Flowers, the third prize to

Miss S. W. Story,

Basket of Flowers. — C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Gratuities : —
Joseph Tailby, Lilium auratum,

E. Sheppard, Hollyhocks and Verbenas, .
Herbert Gleason, Gladioli and Tritomas, .
J. S. Richards, Gladioli and Dahlias,

F. Parkman, Seedling Phlox, ....
James Nugent, Hand Bouquets and Tritomas, .
Mrs. E. M. Gill, Basket of AUaraandas, .
J. B. Moore, fine Cut Flowers,
Mrs. A. D. Wood, Basket of Flowers,
Miss Sarah W. Story, " " . •
F. B. Hayes, Display of Flowers,

Mrs. H. D. Wilmarth, Sabhatia chloroides (white and pin
Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, named Native Flowers, .
D. R. Beckford, Jr., " "

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " "

k),

5 00
4 00
3 00

3 00
3 00
2 00

1 00

2 00

1 00

2 00
1 00

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1 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 159

August 3.

Stocks. — Six varieties, one cut plant of each, the second prize to J.

S. Richards, $2 00

Balsams. — Twelve spikes, eight varieties, the second prize to J.

B. Moore,

Third, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Hand Bouquets. — Pair, James O'Brien, .....

Second, W. J. Vass, .........

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, ......

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Third, James O'Brien, . .

Fifty named varieties of Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials, J.

B. Moore,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce, .... ...

Table Design. — Mrs. S. Joyce, .......

Second, C. H. Hovey & Co., .......

Gratuities : — '

J. S. Richards, Gladioli, .........

James Cartwright, " .........

M. H. Merriam, " and White Balsams, .....

E. Sheppard, Lilium auratum, .

James Comley, Pinks and Sweet Peas, ......

Warren Heustis, Roses and Lilies, .......

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Table Design,

Miss S. W. Story, " "

W. J. Vass, Display of Flowers, .......

George Craft, " "

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, Native Flowers,

E. H. Hitchings, " " .......

G. E. Davenport, " Plants,

August 10.

Perennial Phlox. — Ten distinct named varieties, J. B. Moore,

Third prize, A. McLaren, .......

Petunias. — Fifty bottles, not over three spikes in a bottle, the

second prize to Mrs. William Latham,
Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, .

Second. Mrs. E. M. Gill, .

Third, W. J. Vass, ....
Basket of Flowers. — C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Gratuities : —

J. S. Richards, Gladioli, ....
M. H. Merriam, "
Herbert Gleason, "

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160

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL BOCIETY.

"Warren Heustis, Eoses and Lilies, .

Miss S. W. Story, Table Design,

E. H. Hitchiugs, Hahenaria ciliaris,

August 17.

Gladioli. — Twenty named varieties, in spikes, A. McLaren, •

Second, George Craft, . . •

Third, J. S. Richards,

Ten named varieties, in spikes, J. S. Richards, . . . .
Second, M. H. Merriam, . . . . . . .

Third, A. McLaren,

Display of named or unnamed varieties, J. S. Richards,

Second, M. H. Merriam,

Third, Herbert Gleason, ........

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood>

Second, J.. B. Moore., . . . , . .

Third, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Eifty named varieties of Annuals and Herbaceous Perennials, J- B.

Moore, . . .

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Third, W. K. Wood,

Table Design. — C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Gratuities :

E. L. Beard, fine Orchids, . ...
Miss S. W. Story, Liliiim lancifolium, . .
Mrs. E. M. Gill, All.amandas and Lilies, .
C. H. Hovey & Co., Basket of Allamandas,
Joseph Tailby,.Pancratiums and seedling Carnations
Warren Heustis, Roses and Lilies,
Miss E. M. Harris, Table Design of Native Ferns,
George Craft, Cut Flowers,
James Comley, Display of Flowers,

F. B. Hayes, " "
B. G. Smith, " "
James Nugent, " "
E. W. Mitchell, collection of Fungi,
E. H. Hitchings, Native Plants,

August 24.

Asters. — Thirty flowers, not less than ten varieties, E. Sheppard,

Second, J. B. Moore,

Third, J. A. Black,

Fifteen flowers, not less than six varieties, Hovey & Co.,

Second, George Hill, • . .' .

Third, James Nugent, ' .

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PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 161

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood, .

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, .

Third, James O'Brien,
Basket of Flowers. — C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Gratuities : —
J. S. Eichards, collection of Gladioli,

" " choice Gladioli,

J. B. Moore, Caladiums, in pots, and Cut Flowers,
W. H. Spooner, Nasturtiums and Lilies, .
E. Sheppard, Lilies and Asters,
Mrs. S. Joyce, Lilies, ....

S. G. Stone, Dahlias,

R. Petremant, Scilla maritima,

Miss S. W. Story, Dish of Flowers, .

Miss A. C. Wheeler, Basket of Flowers, .

C. H. Hovey & Co., " " . .

Miss E. M. Harris, Moss Covered Basket,

Mrs. C. B. Chase, Display of Flowers,

B. G. Smith, " " , .

James Nugent, " " . .

E. H. Hitchings, rare Native Plants,

Miss S. Carter, 2d, " " " . , .

Joseph Comley, collection of Fungi, .

August 31.

Lilies. — Display of iz7z;;w lancifolium, cut flowers, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Second, W. H. Spooner,

Verbenas. — Fifty bottles, E. Sheppard,

Second, J. B. Moore,

Third, A. McLaren,

Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood,

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Native Plants. — Display of named species and varieties, Mrs. C.
N. S. Horner,

Second, D. R. Beckford, Jr.,

Third, E. W. Mitchell,

Gratuities : —
George Craft, collection of Gladioli, .
J. S. Richards, " '= . •

James Cartwright, collection of fine Gladioli,
S. G. Stone, Dahlias, ....

Macey Randall, fine Dahlias,
B. G. Smith, Lilium lancifolium,
Mrs. S. Joyce, Lilies and Basket of Flowers,
7

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162

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

J. B. Moore, Clematis,

Norton Brothers, Asters, in pots,

Miss S. W. Story, Table Desifn,

Miss E. M. Harris, Design,

C. H. Hovey & Co., Basket of Flowers,

Miss A. C. Wheeler, Dish of Flowers,

Mrs. A. D, Wood, " "

F. B. Hayes, Display of Flowers,

James Nugent, " "

George E. Davenport, rare Native Plants,

|1 00
2 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00

1 00

2 00
1 00
1 00

September 7.

Double Zinnias. — Twenty flowers, six vai'ieties, J. B. Moore,

Second, Herman Grundel, .

Third, George Craft, .
Ten flowers, four varieties, J. L. Chikls

Second, Mrs. William Latham, .

Third, James Nugent,
Cut Flowers. — Display, W. K. Wood,

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, .
Basket op Flowers. — Mrs. S. Joyce,

Second, C. H. Hovey & Co.,

Gratuities : —
George Craft, fine Gladioli,

James Cartwright, " "

Hovey & Co., Coleus multicolor,
S. G. Stone, fine Dahlias, ....
James Nugent, Hand Bouquets,
Mrs. C. B. Chase, Basket of Flowers,
Miss A. C. Wheeler, "

Miss S. W. Story, Table Design and Flowers
James Nugent, Display of Flowers, .
J. L. Childs, " " . .

J. B. Moore, " " . .

B. G. Smith, " " . .

4 00
3 00

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ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

September 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Greenhouse Plants. — Twelve greenhouse and stove plants of

different varieties, H. H. Hunnewell, f 30 00

Second, S. E. Payson, 25 00

Specimen Plant. — Not variegated, of a kind for which no special

prize is offered, William Gray, Jr.,. 6 00

Second, Hovey & Co., 4 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOE PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 163

Specimen Flowering Plant. — Hovey & Co.,
Second, Hovey & Co., ....

Variegated Leaved Plants. — Six varieties, not offered in the
collection of greenhouse plants, H. H. Hunnewell, .

Second, William Gray, Jr.,

Single specimen, not offered in any collection, Hovey & Co.,

Second, W. J. Vass,

Caladiums. — Six varieties, William Gray, Jr.,
Second, E. Sheppard, ....

Ferns. — Six named varieties, J. Warren Merrill,
Second, Hovey & Co., ....

Three new varieties, J. Warren Merrill,
Second, William Gray, Jr.,
Adiantums. — Six varieties, S. R. Payson,

Second, William Gray, Jr.', ......

Ltcopods. — Six named varieties, the second prize to William Gray, Jr
Drac^nas. — Six named varieties, H. H. Hunnewell,

Second, Hovey & Co., .......

Palms. — Single specimen, S. R. Payson, ....

Second, Hovey & Co., . . . . . .* .

Pitcher Plants. — Three, the second prize to AVilliam Gray, Jr.,

Agaves. — Six distinct varieties, Hovey & Co.,

New Pot Plant. — Never before shown at any exhibition of the

Society, S. R. Payson, the Society's Silver Medal.
Rustic Stand. — Not less than three feet in height, jilanted with
choice ijlants, W. J. Vass, .......

Gladioli. — 200 bottles, best kept during the exhibition, of named
or unnamed varieties, George Craft, .....

Second, J. S. Richards, ........

Dahlias. — Twelve named varieties, H. Grundel, . . . .

Second,. S. G. Stone, .........

Third, Hovey & Co.,

Six named varieties, S. G. Stone, . ......

Second, S. G. Stone, .........

Third, James Nugent, ........

Single flower, S. G. Stone, ........

Second, Macey Randall, ........

LiLiPUTiAN Dahlias. — 50 bottles, Macey Randall,

Second, J. F. Marble,

Third, S. G. Stone,

Parlor Bouquets — Pair, on Wednesday, H. Grundel, .

Pair, on Thursday, H. Grundel, .......

Second, W. J. Vass, .........

Hand Bouquets. — Pair, on Wednesday, Mrs. S. Joyce,

Second, H. Grundel, . .

Pair, on Thursday, H. Grundel,

Second, Mrs. S. Joyce, ........

$6

00

4 00

15

00

10

00

6

00

4

00

6

00

5

00

8

00

6

00

5

00

4

00

8

00

G

00

3

00

10

00

6

00

6

00

4

00

6

00

8

00

5 00

10 00
8 00

6 00
5 00
4 00
4 00

3 00
2 00

2 00

1 00

4 00

3 00

2 00

4 00
4 00

3 00

4 00

3 00

4 00
8 00

164

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Plants,

Cut Flowers. — 150 bottles, best kept during the exhibition,

W. K. Wood,

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Third, James Nugent, ........

Basket of Flowers. — Best arranged and best kept through the
exhibition, Mrs. S. Joyce, .......

Second, Miss S. W. Story,

Table Design. — Best kept through the exhibition, without fruit,

not over four feet high, Mrs. A. D. Wood, ....

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Hunnewell Premiums.
Evergreen Trees and Shrubs. — The second prize for display to
J. W. Manning,

Gratuities : —
W. J. Vass, collection of Plants,
Norton Bros., " "

Hovey & Co., " "

Daniel Duffley, Anemone Japonica, .

" " Celosias, .

W. C. Strong & Co., collection of Variegated Leaved
E. Sheppard, collection of Roses,
James Comley, fine Roses,

E. Sheppard, collection of Coleus,
Henry Ross, " " . .
Hovey & Co., Lilium Neilgherrense,
J. Warren Merrill, New and Rare Ferns, .
Miss S. W. Story, JErianihus Ravennce, .

" " " Display of Dianthus,
J. B. Moore, Maranta Makoyana, and Caladi
S. R. Payson, Caladiums, ....

F. B. Hayes, for Magnolia tripetala, in fruit, and
W. J. Vass, Display of Passiflora princeps
James Cartwright, Orchids,

Gladioli,
E. Sheppard, " . .

W. H. Spooner, Nasturtiums and Tritomas,
H. Grundel, fine White Balsams,
Hovey & Co., White Dahlias,

" " Dahlia viridiflora,

vS. G. Stone, collection of Dahlias,
Macey Randall, " "

George Craft, Display of Cockscombs,
R. Manning, Cornelian Cherry, .
W. C. Strong & Co., Display of Flowers,
George Craft, " "

J. S. Richards, " "

gyrites,

Hibiscus mosch

eutos.

$18 00
16 00
14 00

6 00
5 00

8 00
5 00

6 00

12

00

8

00

6

00

2

00

2

00

3

00

1

00

1

00

4

00

5

00

1

00

5

00

1

00

1

00

3 00

4

00

2

00

3

00

4

00

3

00

2

00

2

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

PEIZES AND GRATUITIES FOE PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 165

F. B. Hayes, two Vases of Flowers,

J. F. M. Farquliar, Design for a Garden, .

Mrs. W. H. Bates, Table Design, .

Miss E. M. Harris, Design of Native Flowers, .

E. H. Hitchings, varieties of Botrychium ternattim,

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, Native Flowers,

D. R. Beckford, Jr., " "

October 5.

Table Design. — Mrs. S. Joyce,

Hand Bouquets. — Pair, James Nugent,

Vase of Flowers. — Best arranged, Mrs. E. M. Gill, .

Gratuities : —
W. C. Strong, Autumn Foliage of New Cut Leaved Maples,
William Beet, Large Sunflower,
Miss S. W. Story, Eulalia Japonica,
W. H. Spooner, Tritoma Uvaria,
S. G. Stone, collection of Dahlias,
Macey Randall, " "

Hovey & Co., " "

E. Sheppard, " "

Miss S. W. Story, Basket of Flowers,
Miss A. C. Wheeler, " "

Miss E. M. Harris, Table Design,
W. K. Wood, Display of Flowers,
James Nugent " "

Mrs. L. P. Weston, " "

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Display of Flowers,
John Parker, " "

James Comley, " "

Miss S. W. Story, " "

E. H. Hitchings, varieties of Botrychium ternatum,

$5 00

15 00

3 00

5 00

2 00

3 00
2 00

o

00

3

00

5

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

4

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.

November 9.
Six distinct named Large Flowered varieties,

Higginson,

Chrysanthemums.

H. L. Higginson, ....
Six distinct named Pompons, F. L. Ames

Second, H. L. Higginson,
Four named Liliputians, H. L
Specimen Plant, E. Sheppard

Second, F. L. Ames, .

Third, H. L. Higginson,
Twelve named Pompon varieties, cut specimens, H. L. Higginson,

Second, James Nugent, ... . . . .

8 00
8 00
6 00

4 00

5 00
4 00
3 00
3 00
2 00

166

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

General display of named or unnamed varieties, fifty bottles, E
Sheppard, ....

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, . ■ .
Third, James Nugent,
Basket of Flowers. — Mrs. S. Joyce,
Hand Bouquets. — Pair, Jdmes Nugent,
Second, W. J. Vass, .

$5 00
4 00
3 00
3 00
3 00
2 00

Gratuities : —
E. L. Ames, collection of very fine Orchids and other Plants,
James Cartwright, very fine Oncidium varicosum,
Norton Brothers, collection of Chrysanthemums,
E. Sheppard, Geraniums and Chrysanthemums,
James Nugent, Cut Roses,
J. B. Moore, Vase of Flowers, .
Mrs. A. D. Wood, Cut Flowers,
James Comley, " "

Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, Native Plants,

10 00
2 00

December 14.

Gratuity : —
J. Cartwright, Orchids,

4 00

The Committee have awarded Medals and Certificates of Merit as follows : —
Silver Medals.

January 19. H. H. Hunnewell, for Ccclogyne cristata.

March 2. H. H. Hunnewell, for Cypripicliwm Dayanum.

March 9. Marshall P. Wilder, for Azalea Exquisita.

March 23. F. L. Ames, for Dendrohium Falconeri.

June 1. H. H. Hunnewell, for Azalea mollis, and new and choice named
Rhododendrons.

June 8. Francis B. Hayes, for a very choice collection of Rhododendrons
and other Shrubs.

Strawberry Show, June 26. F. L. Ames, for Laslia majalis.

June 29. Francis Parkman, for new Seedling Japan Iris.

July 13. Francis Parkman, for new Seedling Phlox, Mrs. Derby.

Julv 20. F. L. Ames, for Cattleya Dowiana.

August 24. T. Putnam Symonds, for Lilium auratum.

Annual Exhibition, September 17-20. F. L. Harris, for Seedling Draccena
Ilarrisii (No. 20).

Chrysanthemum Show, November 9. F. L. Ames, for a very fine plant of
Nepenthes Chelso7ii.

Bronze Medals.

Rose Show, June 19. John C. Hovey, for new Double Pyrethruras.
John R. Brewer, for Andromeda speciosa.

PKIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 167

Strawberry Show, June 26. John C. Hovey, for new Seedling Herbaceous
Paeonies.

August 3. Miss S. W. Story, for Lilium Leichtlini.

August 17. W. H. Spooner, for new Gladiolus, Diamond.

Annual Exhibition, September 17-20. F. B. Hayes, iov Finns Massoniana
variegata.

First Class Certificates of Merit.

March 2. F. L. Ames, for Dendrobium Ainswortliii.

Annual Exhibition, September 17-20. F. B. Hayes, for Castanea aiirea
variegata.

R E P O Pv T

COMMITTEE ON FRUITS,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

By JOHN B. MOORE, Chairman.

Another season has passed, and the time has arrived wlien this
Society requires a report of the doings of their Fruit Committee.

Perhaps it would be proper first to give the general conditions of
the weather and season, so far as they have influenced the growth
of plants and their products.

After passing tln-ough the winter season of 1877 and 1878,
which, taken as a whole, was rather mild and pleasant, we had an
early spring, March being remarkably mild for that usually boister-
ous month, and the frost leaving the ground quite earl}'. April was
mild, dry, and warm for the season, and these favorable conditions
of both the weather and the soil were earl}'^ taken advantage of,
and all garden operations were in a very forward state at the close
of the month.

The month of May was cool, with occasional sharp and, in some
instances, destructive frosts. The first half of June was also cool,
with frosts in some localities ; up to this time, and including the
whole of the spring months, there were seasonable rains. The
last half of June and the first half of July were quite hot, and the
surface of the ground became quite dry ; still the soil was not dried
so deep as to seriousl^^ check vegetation, which advanced very
rapidly.

EEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 1G9

From the middle of Jul}' until September the weather was cooler,
with much rain and cloudy weather, the rain falling in very heavy
showers, and being in some localities accompanied with hail, which
caused considerable damage to fruits, plants, and grass, beating
down crops, and washing the soil from the hill-sides. In the
months of September and October we had a succession of days of
fine weather, and were exempted from severe frosts until nearly the
first of November, while the rain was sufficient for all practical
purposes. The month of November was milder than usual for the
season of the year, enabling every careful person to complete his
garden operations in season for the coming winter. In the last
half of the month there was a very large rainfall, in one instance
six and one-half inches falling in five da3's. The ground is satu-
rated with water, and, as some think, is in just the right condition to
freeze up for the coming winter.

It has been found by careful observation that almost everj^ time
there is what is called an early start in the spring, arising from a
warm March and April, it is followed by a cold May, and perhaps
June, killing plants outright b}' frost, and stunting and ruining
others by cold da3's and nights. Melons, beans, and other plants
have been so injured, and the early blossoms of strawberries, and
others of the small fruits, have been killed by frost the present 3'ear.
These early springs, which stimulate the cultivator to early planting,
and in which his fond hopes are suddenl}' brought to grief by frosts
and cold, are not desirable. Almost the only redeeming point
about such a season that suggests itself to a practical person is,
that one can forward his work at this bus}^ time of the year.

The killing of strawberry blossoms, and of the small green
berries by frost, which has happened the present year, would not
be of so much importance (as strawberries, particularly some
varieties, set more fruit than thej' can ripen) were it not that when
the frost destroys a strawberry blossom, or a green berry, it will
certainly be that one which would make the first, best, and largest
fruit on the plant. In large fields this would cause a heavy loss
in the value of the product.

The conditions of the weather which have been described are not
common when the season opens later. Assuming our propositions
concerning them to be true, cultivators can, b}^ judicious planting,
avoid some of the losses consequent upon them. They should not

170 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

plant such tender flowers, fruits, or vegetables as would be injured
by frosts or cold nights, until, in their judgment, there is a reason-
able prospect of settled warm weather. They should not be led
astray by one or two warm da3's. It has been said that one
swallow does not make a summer, neither does one pleasant day
make a warm season.

The cool, cloudy, wet weather in August was unfavorable to the
ripening of grapes, and some other crops, and unfortunately
presented the .conditions which favor a rapid development of
roildew on the foliage of the grape, and many other plants. The
rest of the season was favoi-able for almost all purposes. The
most prominent, and perhaps most uncommon feature of the season,
has been the fine verdure of the grass, and the health}' foliage on
the trees from early spring until late in October.

Strawberries. — The first strawberries placed on exhibition
were the Triomphe de Gand, forced -in pots, and exhibited in April.
The next were some berries grown in cold frames, and shown on
the 25th of May. In the latter named class there was only a
small competition on the prize day, June 1st. These premiums
have been omitted in the list for 1879, and, in the judgment of the
Committee on Fruits, very properl}"-.

On the 26th of June the Society held its Annual Strawberry
Show. The number of baskets was not as large as the previous
year, and the specimens as a whole were not as good, owing,
probably, to the fact that in man}^ instances the first, or what
would have been the largest berries, were killed by the frost. Still
there were some fine baskets of fruit ; the best was La Coustante.
This old variety comes to the front every few years. It is thought
to be an extremely capricious variety, and not desirable for general
cultivation.

The first prize for two new named varieties was awarded to
Ex-President Marshall P. Wilder,^ for two seedlings of his own,
named Hero and Abundant. They were both large and show}''
berries. Mr. Wilder also showed some other seedhngs, but the
Committee did not give any of them such an examination as would
warrant an opinion. George S. Harwood exhibited some foreign
kinds, taking the second prize for two new varieties with the
President Green and Duke of Edinburgh. The two prizes for the
best fifty berries were awarded to ^he Walden and the Belle. A
few new varieties were exhibited early in the season from the State

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 171

of New York, but were not in good condition, and, therefore, the
Committee dedine to express any opinion as to their merits. No
other new varieties of marked character have been shown.

The whole number of baskets and dishes of strawberries exhibited
was sixty-five, a much less number than last year. Annexed will
be found a description of Col. Wilder's seedlings. Hero, Abundant,
and Dorchester ; also, Prouty's Seedling :

Hero. — Very large; form varying from long conical to cocks-
comb ; surface, polished crimson ; seeds not deeply sunken ; flesh,
red, not XQvy juicy or high flavored.

Abundant. — Large; conical, flattened, tolerably regular ; seeds
general!}^ sunken and red ; color, crimson ; flesh, red, solid, juicy,
and good ; flowers, pistillate.

Dorchester. — Of good size, but not as large as the two preceding ;
conical, sometimes flattened laterally or cockscombed ; seeds pretty
deeply sunken and red ; color, crimson, or inclining to scarlet ; flesh,
white, of tolerable flavor ; flowers, pistillate.

Probity's Seedling. — Medium size ; generally long, irregular,
conical, sometimes cockscombed ; seeds not deeply sunken ; when
freshj bright crimson, but becomes dingy ; flesh, red, juicy, with a
not very pleasant acid.

Cherries. — We have nothing particular to say about cherries;
the old varieties, Black Tartarian and Coe's Transparent, have
taken the principal prizes.

Raspberries. — inly 13th and 20th the first prizes for this
fruit were awarded, respectively, to the Saunders and the Pride of
the Hudson ; the latter being a new variety shown b}' E. P. Roe,
of Cornwall, on the Hudson. It appeared to be of good size and
fair quality, but not equal in either of these points to some
berries shown later in the season.

Currants and Gooseberries. — The exhibition of currants was
as fine as usual. There were no new varieties of marked excel-
lence exhibited. The same remarks would apply to gooseberries.

Blackberries. — There was not a large show of blackberries
this year, many of the bushes being winter killed ; much the finest
basket Avas the Dorchester, shown by James Nugent, August 3d.

Amelanchier. — On the 13th of July, Benjamin G. Smith
exhibited fruit of Amelanchier Canadensis, var. oblongifolia T. and
G., or Dwarf June Berry. This has been procured and tested at
considerable expense by Mr. Smith, and as it is hardy and pro-

172 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

ductive it may prove' to be desirable. The Committee have
thought it proper to award to Mr. Smith the Societj-'s Silver
Medal for its introduction.

Apples. — This year being the even year we expected a large
crop of apples, and we were not disappointed. It has become a
settled fact that we do have large crops of apples every even year.
Now, if anj^ persons can change the bearing year of their orchards
from the even to the odd year, they will be sure to realize much
larger prices for their fruit ; but the bearing of only a few trees in
an orchard which has produced a large crop the previous 3'ear does
not amount to much, for the apple maggot, and the larvae of the
codling moth and curculio, have escaped in such large numbers the
previous year, as to be able to puncture and spoil nearly all the
fruit from a few trees. There appear to be three causes atfecting
the conditions of our apple trees, which fully account for the large
crop of fine apples. First, the verj^ small crop of 1877 ena'bling
the trees to perfect their fruit buds for the crop of 1878. Second,
the much smaller number of insects to prey upon the .young fruit,
from the fact that they were starved out the previous year. Third,
the favorable season, in which the abundance of rain gave
moisture enough to cause the fruit to grow of large size. The
apples shown during the whole season have been ver}' large, fair,
handsome, and of fine quality — perhaps never better. At the
Annual Exhibition, there were four hundred and eight plates of
apples on the tables, all of them of fine quality.

Pears. — The crop of pears has been much smaller this year
than usual ; there were apprehensions at one time that we should
have only meagre shows of this fruit, but there has been a good
exhibition the whole season, and in size and quality the specimens
have been fully up to the average. We have found sulficient com-
petition on prize da3s to cause nearly all the prizes to be awarded,
and have had to pass by many fine dishes of this fruit.

At the Annual Exhibition there were shown on the tables three
hundred and seventy -four dishes of pears ; very large, smooth,
handsome specimens.

Of the new seedlings, Clapp's No. 64 was shown in April ; this
is a sweet pear of only second rate quality, but its keeping so late
in the season maj' make it a very desirable pear. Messrs. Clapp's
Seedling No. 22, or Frederick Clapp, still maintains its character,
and is a first rate pear. There have been a few other seedlings

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 173

from Messrs. Clapp, and from others, but not of such marked
excellence, so far as we can judge from the examination we have
been able to make, as to require, a further opinion or description,
except one raised by Stephen Osborne, of Peabody. This was
presented Ma}^ 25th, and is of medium size ; globular acute p^^ri-
form ; dull green, with much brownish russet, or sometimes entirely
covered with russet ; skin, thick ; flesh, gritt}', but sweet and juic}',
and remarkably meltiig and buttery for so late a pear. Among
the fine autumn varieties this would not be thought worthy of
attention, but keeping almost to June it appeared deserving of
notice.

Peaches have not been plent}', and a less number of dishes
have been shown than usual, although there have been some very
fine specimens on our tables. Quite a number of dishes of seed-
ling peaches, some of tliem large and handsome, having a strong
resemblance to the Crawford's Early and Craw lord's Late, have been
shown, but none of them perhaps quite as good as either of those
standard varieties.

Plums. — The last two years show a marked increase in the
number of dishes exhibited, and many of the specimens have been
of fine quality. The trees do not appear to be so much troubled
with the black wart as formerly, and there is a prospect of having
a reasonable crop of this fine fruit again. We would suggest to
persons, if the^^ have an enclosure in which fowls are confined,
and the ground is suitable in otiier respects, to plant it with plum
trees. In such a place the trees will grow well, and, when they
come to bear fruit, a jar or shake of the tree, at the proper time,
will cause the curculio to fall to the ground, and the}' will quickly
be destroyed by the fowls.

Grapes. — There has been a ver}' small crop of grapes this sea-
son. For some reason grape vines did not show nearly as man}'
or as strong trusses of buds for blooming this year as usual. This
was not by any means confined to weak growing kinds, but the
Concords, and other strong growing varieties, which have almost
always set a great deal too much fruit, were as much affected as
any. Pruning had nothing to do with it, for whether the vines
were pruned closely or allowed to ramble it was all the same ; the
trusses of buds were poor and weak in the beginning, and did not
appear to have strength enough to set well. This was followed in
August by mildew, which injured the foliage of many varieties so

174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAI. SOCIETY.

much that the poor show of fruit in June was almost destroj^ed,
and hardly vitahty enough remained in the leaves to ripen the fruit,
although they were not killed by the frost until about the first of
November. Some varieties have been and are more subject to
mildew than other varieties ; the leaves of all h3'brids have been
more injured than the native kinds. Why should it not be so? Is
it not in accordance with the laws of reproduction that the defects
of the parent will be transmitted to the progeny?

The hybrids are crosses between the foreign and native species ;
the foreign has two serious faults in our climate ; one is a tender-
ness of the vine itself; the other a tendency to mildew on the
foliage, and also on the fruit. When a vine is so affected as to
drop nearly all its leaves in August, there is not only a loss of the
crop of fruit for that 3'ear, but the vine receives such a shock that
it will hardly be strong enough to withstand the rigor of a Massa-
chusetts winter — much more to produce a crop the succeeding year.
The laws of breeding plants, as well as animals, show that like pro-
duces like in the vegetable as well as in the animal kingdom, —
modified somewhat by outside influences in both.

No new varieties, not before exhibited, have been shown. James
H. Ricketts, of Newburg, N. Y., presented some of his new seed-
lings of the same varieties that have been heretofore exhibited.
They were not quite as good as he has shown here before, but this
was very likely owing to the unfavorable season.

There was no competition for bunches of foreign grapes, weigh-
ing not less than five pounds. For the other prizes there was a
fair display, but nothing of unusual merit.

The Committee recommend to the Societ}^ that all small fruits,
exhibited for prizes or gratuities, shall be shown in baskets not
exceeding an inch and three-quarters in depth, and corresponding in
form to a model to be adopted by the Society. The objects which it
is believed will be attained by this rule are the following : First,
exactness and uniformity in quantity, as required by the Schedule.
Second, the Committee would be able to see nearly all the fruit in
the basket, and could judge more fairly and exactly. Third, a
more uniform appearance of the tables.

The appropriation for the year 1878 was $1,425; the amount
awarded in prizes and gratuities was $1,225 ; leaving a balance of
$200.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS.

175

The Committee have also awarded one Silver Medal, and one
First Class Certificate of Merit.

Annexed will be found a list of the prizes and gratuities
awarded.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

John B. Moore,

P. B. HOVEY,

E. W. Wood,
Benj. G. Smith,
Jacob W. Manning,
Daniel T. Curtis,
Chas. F. Curtis,

Fruit
^ Committee.

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR FRUITS.

January 5.

Gratuities : —

Warren Fenno, Josephine de Malines Pears, . . . . . $1 00
Benjamin G. Smith, " " " " 1 00

February 2.

I

Winter Pears. — Any variety, Marshall P. AVilder, Beurre d'Anjou, 3 00

Second, Marshall P. Wilder, Beurre d'Aremberg, . . . 2 00

Winter Apples. — Any variety, C. E. Grant, Baldwin, . . . 3 00

Second, Benjamin P. Ware, Peck's Pleasant, . . . . 2 00

Gratuities : —

Marshall P. Wilder, collection of Pears, 2 00

C. E Grant, " " 1 00

Benjamin G. Smith, Pears, 1 00

February 9.

Gratuity : —

Warren Fenno, collection of Pears, 1 00

March 2.

Winter Pears. — Any A'ariety, J. V. Wellington, Beurre d'Anjou, . 3 00

Second, J. V. Wellington, Winter Nelis 2 00

Winter Apples. — Any variety, C. E. Grant, Baldwin, . . . 3 00

Gratuities : —

C. E. Grant, Catillac Pears, 1 00

A. S. Mcintosh, Easter Beurre Pears, 1 00

C. D. Kingman, Oranges, 1 00

April 6.
Gratuities : —

A. S. Mcintosh, Pears, 1 00

C. E. Grant, collection of Pears and Apjiles, . . . . . 1 00
James Comley, Triomphe de Gand Strawberries, . . . . 2 00
F. & L. Clapp, Seedling Pear, No. 64, of fine appearance for the
season, a First Class Certificate of Merit.

prizp:s and gratuities for fruits. 177

Mat 25.

Gratuity : —

Charles Garfield, Strawberries grown in a cold frame, . . . $1 00

June 1.

Forced Grapes. — Two bunches of any variety, Cephas H. Brackctt,
Black Hamburg, .........

Second, Peter Smith, Black Hamburg,

Strawberries. — One quart of any variety, grown in a frame under
glass, Charles Garfield, ........

Second, John B. Moore,

7 00
4 00

5 00
4 00

June 8.
Gratuities : —

E. P. Richardson, Jenny Lind Strawberries,

C. D. Kingman, Monarch of the West Strawberries,

1 00
1 00

June 15.

Gratuities : —

Aaron D. Capen, Charles Downing Strawberries,

"Warren Fenno. Brighton Pine "

Marshall P. Wilder, Hervey Davis "

George Hill, Col. Cheney "

G. M. Mellen, Cutter's Seedling "

William G. Prescott, " "

C. E. Grant, Cherries,

2 00

2 00

1 00

2 00

1 00

2 00

2 00

EOSE SHOW.

June 19.

Early Strawberries. — Four quarts, open culture, Charles Garfield,

Second, John B. Moore,

Third, George Hill,

Two quarts, John B. Moore,

Second, Charles Garfield, ........

Forced Grapes. — Three varieties, two bunches of each, Cephas H.
Brackett, ..........

Two bunches, of any variety, Cephas H. Btackett, Black Hamburg,
Second, H. S. Mansfield,

Gratuities : —

C. E. Grant, collection of Cherries,

Miss E. M. Harris, Lennig's White Strawberries, ....
M, W. Chadbourne, Charles Downing " . . . .

9

7

00

5

00

3

00

4

00

3

00

7

00

4

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

178

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

STRAWBERRY SHOW.

June 26.

Strawberries. — Four quarts, of any variety, C. M. Atkinson, La
Constante, .......

Second, M. W. Chadbonrne, Jucunda,
Third, Marshall P. Wilder, President Wilder, .
Two new named varieties, not previously exhibited, Marshall P

Wilder,

Second, George S. Harwood, ....
Fifty berries, of any variety, John B. Moore, Walden,

Second, Stiles Frost, Belle, ....

Two quarts Caroline, E. W. Wood,

Second, John B. Moore, .....
Charles Downing, E. P. Richardson,

Second, John B. Moore, .....
Hovey's Seedling, Benjamin G. Smith, .

Second, E. P. Richardson, .....
Jenny Lind, E. P. Richardson, ....

Jucunda, E. W. Wood,

Lady of the Lake, John B. Moore,
President Wilder, Horace Eaton, ....
Second, John B. Moore, .....
Seth Boyden (No. 30), Marshall P. Wilder, .

Second, Horace Eaton, .....
Triomphe de Gand, Charles Garfleld,
Cherries. — Four varieties, two quarts each, C. E. Grant
Second, Aaron P. Capen, .....
Two quarts of any variety, J. B. Loomis, fine Coe's Transparent,
Second, Thomas S. Lockwood, " "
Grapes. — ^ Two bunches of any variety, Cephas H. Brackett, Black
Hamburg, .

Gratuities : —
Cephas H. Brackett, collection of Foreign Grapes, .
Warren Fenno, Belle and Monarch of the West Strawberries,
E. P. Richardson, Champion Strawberries,
John B. Moore, collection of " . • .
Hovey & Co., " " ...
Horace Eaton, Strawberries,

f 10 00
8 00
6 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

2 00

3 00
5 00

4 00

3 00
2 00

4 00

2 00

2 00
1 00

3 00
3 00
1 00

Gratuities : —
J. B. Loomis, Cherries,
Warren Fenno, Strawberries,
Benjamin G. Smith, "
Charles Garfield, "

E. P. Richardson, "

June 29.

1 00

1 00

2 00
1 00
1 00

PEIZES AND GEATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

179

July 6.

Cherries. — Two quarts, Thomas S. Lockwood, Coe's Transparent,
Second, Horace Partridge, Black Tartarian, ....

Strawberries. — Two quarts of any late variety, John B. Moore,

Belle,

Second, Marshall P. Wilder, Abundant,

Gratuities : —
E. P. Richardson, Kentucky Strawberries,
C. E. Grant, Cherries,
W. K. Wood, collection of Currants,
M. W. Chadbourne, "

E. W. Mitchell, "

Warren Fenno, Black Cap Raspberries,
J. C. Keating, Mulberries,
C. D. Kingman, Peaches, .
Cephas H. Brackett, collection of Foreign Grapes,

$3 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

July 13.

Raspberries. — Two quarts, Warren Fenno, Saunders, .

Second, E. P. Roe, Pride of the Hudson, .....

Third, W. Doran & Son, Franconia,

Currants. — Four quarts of a red variety, W. K. Wood, Versaillaise,

Second, W. Doran & Son, Versaillaise, .....

Third, Benjamin G. Smith, "

Four quarts of a Avhite variety, E. P. Roe, White Grape,

Second, Benjamin G. Smith, Transparent, ....

Gratuities : —
Warren Fenno, Cherries, ......

E. W. Mitchell, Currants,

J. S. Richards, "

Mrs. E. M. Gill, " and Raspberries,

Charles Garfield, " "

Cephas H. Brackett, Black Hamburg Grapes, .

Benjamin G. Smith, for the introduction of Amelanchier Canaden

sis, var. ohlongifolia, or Dwarf June Berry, the Society's Silver

Medal.

July 20.

Raspberries. — Not less than four varieties, one quart each, E. P.

Roe (eight varieties),

Second, Joseph Clark,

Two quarts, any variety, E. P. Roe, Pride of the Hudson,

Second, Warren Fenno, Saunders,

Third, W. K. Wood, Clarke,

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2 00

1

00

3

00

2

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00

00

00

00

00

00

5 00
3 00
3 00
2 00
1 00

180

HIASSACHUSETTS HOllTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Currants. — Not less than four varieties, two quarts each, Warren
Fenno, ........

Second, W. Doran & Son,

Four quarts, any variety, W. Doran & Son, Vcrsailhiise

Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill, Versaillaise,

Third, C. E. Grant,

Blackberries. — Two quarts, E. P. Roe, Early Wilson,
Gooseberries. — Two quarts, Horace Eaton, Downing,

Second, B. G. Smith, Downing, ....

Third, Charles Garfield, Royal George,

$5 00
3 00
3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00
3 00

2 00
1 00

July 27.

Blackberries. — Two quarts, James Nugent, Dorchester,
Second, B. C. Vose, Dorchester, ....

Pears. — Doyenne d'£te, W. P. Walker, ....
Second, Asa BuUard,

Gratuities : —
D. F. Hayes, Delaware Grapes, grown under glass, .

B. G. Smith, Foreign Gooseberries, two varieties,
Charles Garfield, collection of Gooseberries and Raspberries,

C. M. Atkinson, Black Currants,

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

August 3.

Pears. — Beurre GifFard, Warren Heustis,

Second, Warren Fe'nno,

Third, Benjamin G. Smith,

Apples. — Early Harvest, the second prize to Benjamin G. Smith,
Large Yellow Bough, G. M. Mellen,

Second, Lewis Slack, .

Gratuities : —
T. Putnam Symonds, Alexander Peaches, .
J. H. Woodford, Red Astrachan Apples, .

Samuel Hartwell, Apples,

N. B. White, "

Charles Garfield, Blackberries and Raspberries,
James Nugent, very fine Dorchester Blackberries,
J. C." Weld, Chinese Pears, grown in Georgia, .

3

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

August 10.

Gooseberries. — Two quarts of Foreign, Benjamin G. Smith,
Bangup, ...........

Second, Benjamin G. Smith, Wellington's Glory,

3 00

2 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

181

Apples. — Early Harvest, D. F. Hayes, .
Large Yellow Bough, Mrs. B. B. Davis,

Second, Edwin Fletcher, .....
Eed Astrachan, E. W. Wood, ....

Second, John Cummings,

Williams, Warren Heustis,

Second, John Cummings, .....
Any other early variety, T. M. Davis, Summer Harvey,

Second, John Cummings, Tetofsky,
Pears. — Any early variety, George Frost, for Supreme de Quimper

Second, Warren Heustis, Beurre GifFard, .

Gratuities : —
Edwin Fletcher, Apples, ......

Samuel Hartwell, Apples, ......

Mrs. H. V. Draper, Peach Plums, ....

$3 00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

3

GO

2

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

August 17.

Pears. — Clapp's Favorite, F. & L. Clapp,
Second, Charles L. Bird,
Third, Mrs. E. M. Gill,

Gratuities : —
C. D. Kingman, cold house Peaches,
Mrs. H. V. Draper, Washington Plums, .
C. M. Atkinson, collection of Foreign Grapes,
Benjamin G. Smith, Apples,
John Cummings, " ...

Samuel Hartwell, " ...

Warren Heustis, " and Pears,

J. T. Foster, " and Peaches,

Warren Fenno, " "

3

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

5

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

August 2i.

Pears. — Bartlett, Alexander Dickinson,

Second, Charles F. Curtis,

Third, T. M. Davis, . ,
Tyson, A. S. Mcintosh,

Second, Warren Fenno,

Third, Samuel Mcintosh, .
Plums. — Any variety, Hovey & Co., Bradshaw,

Second, Daniel Tucker, "

Third, Edwin A. Hall, Prince's Imperial Gage,
Peaches. — Any variety, Horace Partridge,

Second, J. T. Foster, Laura,

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

1 00
3 00

2 00

182

MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Gratuities : —

Amos Bates, Plums, .....
Joseph Gardner, Washington Plums,
J. E. Hodgkins, Peaches, ....
Robert Manning, Dearborn's Seedling Pears,
Benjamin G. Smith, White Chasselas Grapes,
John Cummings, collection of Apples,
Samuel Hartwell, Apples, ....
John B. Moore, "

$1 00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

August 31.

Apples. — Any variety, Samuel Hartwell, Gravenstein,

Second, John Cummings, Garden Royal,

Third, Charles Bird, Gravenstein,
Pears. — Bartlett, T. M. Davis,

Second, C. N. Brackett,

Third, A. S. Mcintosh,
Any other variety, Joseph S. Chase, Clapp's Favorite,

Second, Benjamin G. Smith, Duchesse de Berry,

Third, George T. Oakes, Clapp's Favorite,
Plums. — Collection of not less than four varieties, Horace Eaton,
Dish of any variety, Hovey & Co., Bradshaw,

Second, J. T. Foster, Prince's Imperial Gage,

Third, Horace Eaton, Bradshaw,
Native Grapes. — Six bunches of any early variety, John B. Moore
Moore's Early, ' .

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

4 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

3 00

Gratuities : —

A. S. Mcintosh, Crawford's Early Peaches, 1 00

Warren Fenno, Apples and Peaches, ...... 1 00

E. Fred Washburn, Seedling Peaches, 1 00

J. D. Hovey, Seedling Peaches, 1 00

Horace Partridge, Peaches and Grapes, 1 00

C. H. Johnson, Seedling Peaches, 1 00

N. D. Harrington, large and very fine Crawford's Early Peaches, . 2 00

John Cummings, Apples 1 00

Samuel Hartwell " 1 00

Mrs. E. S. Joyce, Figs, 1 00

Edwin Fletcher, Apples, 1 00

J. L. D. Sullivan, White Seedling Nectarines, 1 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

183

September 7.

Apples. — Foundling, Leonard W. Weston,

Second, Edwin Fletcher,

Third, Samuel Hartwell,
Gravenstein, Samuel Hartwell,

Second, M. H. Merriam,

Third, Charles Bird, .
Porter, George Hill,

Second, Edwin Fletcher,

Third, John Cummings,
Any other variety, C. N. Brackett, Alexander,

Second, John Cummings, Garden Royal,

Third, Charles Stearns, Dutch Codlin,
Peaks. — Andrews, Charles F. Curtis,

Second, Horace Partridge, .

Third, George Frost, .
Belle Lucrative, George T. Oakes,

Second, Horace Partridge, .

Third, Charles Bird, .
Doyenne Boussock, E. W. Wood,

Second, C. N. Brackett,

Third, George Frost, .
Any other variety, J. V. Wellington, Bartlett,

Second, Alexander Dickinson, "

Third, A. S. Mcintosh, "
Native Gkapes. — Six bunches, any early variety, John B. Moore,
Moore's Early,

Second, J. W. Talbot, Cottage, .

Third, Benjamin G. Smith, Moore's Early,
Peaches. — Any variety, Horace Eaton, Oldmixon Freestone,

Second, Henry Souther, Crawford's Early,

Third, George T. Oakes, Foster,

$3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

3 00
3 00

1 00
3 00

2 00
1 00

Gratuities : —

Stiles Frost, Plums, .....
Horace Partridge, Macready's Early Grapes,
Mrs. E. S. Joyce, Bro-yn Turkey Figs,
Caleb Bates, Peaches,
Samuel Hartwell, Apples, .
Edwin Fletcher, "
J. T. Foster, Peaches and Apples,
Warren Fenno, Pears,

1 00
1 00

1 00

2 00
00
00
00
00

184 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

September 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Apples. — American Beauty, Edwin Fletcher, . . . . , $3 00

Baldwin, Samuel Hartwell, . 3 00

Second, John Cummings, .... .... 2 00

Third, Edwin Eletcher, 1 00

Cogswell, C N. Brackett, 3 00

Second, Asa Clement, 2 00

Danvers Winter Sweet, John Cummings, 3 00

Second, Warren Fenno, ........ 2 00

Duchess of Oldenburgh, O. B. Hadwen, . . . . . 3 00

Second, George Frost, 2 00

Dutch Codlin, F. & L. Clapp, 3 00

Second, A. S. Mcintosh, 2 00

Fall Orange, or Holden Pippin, Asa Clement, . . . . 3 00

Second, George Winn, 2 00

Third, Edward Sumner, 1 00

Fameuse, Benjamin G. Smith, . . . . . . . 3 00

Second, Asa Clement, 2 00

Foundling, Edwin Fletcher, . . 3 00

Second, Asa Clement, 2 00

Third, O. B. Hadwen, 1 00

Garden Eoyal, John Cummings, ". 3 00

Second, Edwin Fletcher, ........ 2 00

Golden Russet, Warren Fenno, 3 00

Gravenstein, Samuel Hartwell, 3 00

Second, F. & L. Clapp, 2 00

Third, William Mackintosh, 1 00

Hubbardston Nonsuch, C. N. Brackett, 3 00

Second, Samuel Hartwell, 2 00

Third, Walter Russell, 1 00

Hunt Russet, Sanmel Hartwell, 3 00

Second, John Cummings, 2 00

Third, John B. Moore, 1 00

King of Tompkins County, Asa Clement, . . . . . 3 00

Second, Edwin Fletcher, 2 00

Third, C. N. Brackett, 1 00

Ladies' Sweet, Edwm Fletcher, 3 00

Second, Asa Clement, 2 00

Leicester Sweet, Asa Clement, 3 00

Second, O. B. Hadwen, 2 00

Lyscom, Samuel Hartwell, . . . . , . . . . 3 00

Second, Asa Clement, 2 00

Maiden's Blush, John Cunmiings, 3 00

Second, Warren Fenno - 2 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

185

Minister, William T. Hall, .

Second, Asa Clement,
Mother, John Cummings,

Second, Edwin Fletcher,
Northern Spy, Amos Bates, .
Second, John B. Moore,
Third, Asa Clement, .
Porter, Edward Sumner,
Second, A. S. Mcintosh,
Third, John Cummings,
Pumpkin Sweet, George W. Stevens,

Second, Asa Clement,
Rhode Island Greening, Horace Eaton,
Second, E. W. Wood,
Third, John Cummings,
Roxbury Russet, Edward Sumner,
Second, John L. De Wolf, .
Third, Warren Heustis,
Washington Strawberry, J. C. Park,

Second, F. & L. Clapp,
Yellow Bellflower, Asa Clement, .
Second, Joseph H. Bell,
Crab Apples. — Hyslop, E. W. Bettinson
Transcendent, Horace Eaton,
Second, Horace Partridge, .
Pears. — Andrews, Horace Partridge,
Second, S. P. Langmaid,
Third, A. McDermott,
Bartlett, S. P. Langmaid,
Second. J. F. Nickerson, .
Third, W. S. Janvrin,
Belle Lucrative, Isaac Oliver,
Second, Horace Eaton,
Third, W. P. Walker,
Beurre d'Anjou, S. P. Langmaid,
Second, W. S. Janvrin,
Third, William T. Hall,
Beurre Bosc, S. P. Langmaid,
Second, George S. Curtis, .
Third, J. C. Park,
Beurre Clairgeau, Warren Fenno
Second, Horace Partridge, .
Third, W. S. Janvrin,
Beurre Diel, E. L. Draper, .
Second, J. V. Wellington, .
Beurre Gris d'Hiver Nouveau, Warren Fenno,
Second, E. W. Wood, ....

10

$3 00

2 00

3 00

2 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

2 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

3 00
2 00

186

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

Beurre Hardy, Jesse Haley, .

Second, Charles F. Curtis, .

Third, Warren Fenno,
Beurre Langelier, Amos Bates,

Second, Marshall P. Wilder,
Beurre Superfin, Lewis Slack,

Second, John L. Bird,

Third, T. M. Davis, .
Buffum, J. F. Nickerson,

Second, John L. Bird,
Dana's Hovey, A. S. Mcintosh,

Second, Alexander Dickinson,

Third, Benjamin G. Smith,
De Tongres, J. C. Park,

Second, John L. Bird,

Third, T. M. Davis, .
Doyenne Boussock, Jacob Eaton,

Second, Marshall P. Wilder,

Third, E. W. Wood, .
Doyenne du Comice, J. C. Park,

Second, W. P. Walker,

Third, Warren Fenno,
Duchesse d'Angouleme, Alexander Dickinson

Second, John McClure,

Third, J. F. Nickerson,
Fulton, J. C. Park,

Second, John L. Bird,
Glout Morceau, J. F. Nickerson,

Second, Warren Fenno,

Third, John L. De Wolf, .
Goodale, C. E. Grant,

Second, Alexander Dickinson,
Howell, Jesse Haley,

Second, W. S. Janvrin,

Third, Warren Fenno,
Lawrence, S. P. Langmaid, .

Second, W. S. Janvrin, '

Third, Warren Fenno,
Louise Bonne of Jersey, W. S. Janvrin

Second, S. P. Langmaid, .

Third, Alexander Dickinson,
Marie Louise, Alexander Dickinson

Second, George Frost,

Third, John L. De Wolf, .
Merriam, John L. De Wolf, .

Second, A. S. Mcintosh,

Third, Charles F. Curtis, .

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

187

Mount Vernon, Walker & Co.,

Second, Charles Bird, .
Onondaga, or Swan's Orange, A. McDerraott

Second, W. P. Walker,

Third, Charles Bird, .
Paradis d'Autorane, W. S. Plimpton,

Second, John L. Bird,

Third, Marshall P. Wilder,
Seckel, G. M. Mellen, .

Second, John L. Bird,

Third, George D. Putnam,
Sheldon, Mrs. M. T. Goddard,

Second, Charles P. Curtis, .

Third, William A. Crafts, .
Souvenir du Congres, Warren Fenno,

Second, Marshall P. Wilder,
St. Michael Archangel, T. M. Davis,

Second, Walker & Co.,

Third, Jesse Haley,
Urbaniste, Jesse Haley, .

Second, John L. De Wolf,

Third, Isaac Oliver, ,
Vicar of Winkfield, William T. Hall,

Second, W. S. Janvrin,
Winter Nelis, John L. Bird, .

Second, Warren Fenno,

Third, W. P. Walker,
Peaches. — Dish of any variety, J. L. D. Sullivan, for Crawford
Early, . . . •

Second, Mrs. M. T. Goddard,
Orchard House Culture, J. S. Amory, for Crawford's Late,

Second, John Falconer, for Rivers' Lord Palmerston,
Nectarines. — Any variety, John Falconer, Rivers' Victoria,

Second, John Falconer, Rivers' Prince of Wales,
Plums. — Collection, not less than four varieties, Horace Eaton
Dish of any variety, Mrs. H. V. Draper, Washington

Second, John Falconer, Rivers' Sultan,

Third, John Falconer, Jefferson,
Native Grapes. — Six bunches of Concord, W. Doran & Son,

Second, George Hill, .

Third, J. W. Talbot, .
Creveling, S G. Damon,
Delaware, Joseph S. Chase,

Second, Augustus Torrey,

Third, Warren Fenno,
Hartford, M. Darling, Jr.,

Second, J. W. Talbot,

$3 00

2 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

3 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
2 00
1 00

3 00
2 00

2 00

188

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Third, T. M. Davis,

Any other early variety, Benjamin G. Smitli, ....

Second, Jolin B. Moore,

Third, S. G. Damon,

Foreign Grapes. — Six varieties, two bunches each, A. W. Nickerson,

Second, Benjamin G. Smith, .......

Third, Horace Partridge, ........

Four varieties, two bunches each, Henry C. Cooke,

Two varieties, two bunches each. Stiles Frost, ....

Third prize, Benjamin G. Smith, ......

Two bunches of any Black Grape, C. D. Kingman, Black Hamburg,

Second, John Falconer, Gros Maroc, ......

Third, Stiles Frost, Black Hamburg, ......

Two bunches of any White Grape, C. D. Kingman,

Gratuities : —

les.

E. W. Wood, large Blue Pearmain App'

Edward Sumner, Morrison's Red

J. C. Park, Alexander

O. B. Hadwen, Mexico

John B. Moore, collection of

Samuel Hartwell, "

Edwin Fletcher, "

Josiah Newhall,

A. Hatch,

J. W. Talbot,

C. N. Brackett,

Abraham B. Shedd,

S. N. Gaut,

Benjamin G. Smith, Apples and Pears,

John Cummings, " "

Warren Fenno, " "

Francis B. Hayes, " "

Benjamin F. Hunt, Jr., Pears,

S. N. Gaut,

James Cruickshanks, "

Horace Partridge, "

C. E. Grant,

M. W. Chadbourne, "

John B. Moore, "

J. S. Richards, "

John Falconer, Pears, Apples, and Peaches,

Mrs. Lorenzo Sabine, Seedling Peaches,

Benjamin G. Smith, Foreign Grapes,

James H. Ricketts, collection of Seedling Grapes,

$1 00

3

00

2

00

1

00

10

00

8

00

4

00

8

00

4

00

2

00

4

00

3

00

2

00

4

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

3

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

3

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

2

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

3

00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 189

September 27.
Gratuity : —

C. H. Johnson, fine Seedling Peaches, , . . . . . $1 00

October 5.

Pears. — Beurre Bosc, W. H. M. Austin, 3 00

Second, T. M. Davis, 2 00

Third, W. S. Janvrin, 1 00

Beurre Clairgeau, Warren Fenno, 3 00

Second, John McClure, 2 00

Third, Horace Partridge, 1 00

Beurre Diel, Walker & Co., 3 00

Second, Edwin A. Hall, 2 00

Third, T. M. Davis, 1 00

Doyenne du Cornice, W. S. Janvrin, 3 00

Second, Walker & Co., ........ 2 00

Third, John McClure, 1 00

Duchesse d'Angouleme, S. G. Damon, 3 00

Second, John McClure, 2 00

Third, Edwin A. Hall, . 1 00

Louise Bonne of Jersey, T. M. Davis, 3 00

Second, W. T. Hall, 2 00

Third, Edwin A. Hall, 1 00

Urbaniste, Walker & Co , ••...... 3 00

Second, S. P. Langmaid, ........ 2 00

Third, John L. Bird, ......... 1 00

Apples. — Fall Orange, or Holden Pippin, Asa Clement, . . . 3 OO

Second, Edwin Fletcher, ........ 2 00

Gravenstein, Asa Clement, ••...... 3 00

Second, Samuel Hartwell, 2 00

Mother, John Cummings, ........ 3 00

Second, Edwin Fletcher, •••..... 2 00

Porter, A. S. Mcintosh, 3 00

Second, John Cummings, ........ 2 00

Native Grapes. — Six bunches of Agawam, C. F. Holt, . . 3 00

Second, Warren Fenno, ........ 2 00

Concord, W. Doran & Son, , . 3 oo

Second, Cephas H. Brackett, . 2 00

Third, Moses Darling, Jr., . , 1 00

Diana, M. H. Merriam, ......... 3 00

Second, Isaac P. Langworthy, . . . . . . . 2 00

Isabella, J. V. Wellington, 3 00

Second, C. E. Grant, 2 00

Massasoit, Cephas H. Brackett, 3 00

Wilder, Cephas H. Brackett, 3 00

Second, Joseph S. Chase, 2 00

190

MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Foreign Grapes. — Three varieties, two bunches each, E. W. Wood, $5 00

Second, H. C. Coolte, 4 00

Two bunches of any variety, E. W. Wood, Black Hamburg, . 3 00

Second, Stiles Frost, 2 00

Quinces. — Any variety, W. S. Janvrin, 3 OP

Second, Benjamin G. Smith, • 2 00

Third, Horace Eaton, 1 00

Gratuities : —

Horace Partridge, Grapes and Peaches,
Benjamin G. Smith, Foreign and Native Grapes,

C. E. Grant, Grapes,

Edwin Fletcher, Apples,

Benjamin Gushing, Clapp's Seedling Pear, Harris,
B. F. Wing, fine Marie Louise Pears,
John McClure, very fine Sheldon Pears, .
Benjamin G. Smith, Apples and Pears,

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

October 26.
Gratuity : —

F. & L. Clapp, collection of Seedling Pears,

2 00

November 9.

Pears. — Beurre d'Anjou, W. S. Janvrin, 3 00

Second, John C. Park, 2 00

Third. Warren Fenno, 1 00

Dana's Hovey, A. S. Mcintosh, 3 00

Second, Alexander Dickinson, 2 00

Third, Hovey & Co., 1 00

Lawrence, S. P. Langmaid, 3 00

Second, David B. Flint, 2 00

Third, Jesse Haley, 1 00

Winter Nelis, John McClure, 3 00

Second, T. M. Davis, 2 00

Third, Alexander Dickinson, 1 00

French Premiums

Apples. — Baldwin, C. C. Shaw, 3 00

Second, Leonard W. Weston, 2 00

Hubbardston Nonsuch, M. W. Chadbourne, . . . ' . . 3 00

Second, Walter Kussell, 2 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS.

191

Hunt Russet, Asa Clement,

Second, John B. Moore,
King of Tompkins County, Edwin Fletcher,

Second, Asa Clement,
Northern Spy, W. T. Hall, .

Second, C. C. Shaw, ....
Rhode Island Greening, Edwin Fletcher,

Second, Horace Eaton,
Roxbury Russet, Cephas H. Brackett, .

Second, Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, .

$3 00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

REPORT

OF THE

Committee on Vegetables,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

By C. N. BRACKETT, Chairman.

The past season has been an unusually favorable one for the
various productions of the vegetable garden. The crops have not
onl}^ been abundant, but have, with few exceptions, been above the
general average in quality.

Seldom have we seen finer or better grown specimens than have
been placed upon our tables at the weekl}^ exhibitions the past
season. We note with great pleasure the gradual improvement in
the qualit}^ of the vegetables offered for our inspection from year to
year, and are led to infer that more attention is being paid at the
present time than formerly, to the great importance of pure and
reliable seed, as the starting point to success and profit with the
intelligent cultivator. Careful culture, and the employment of the
requisite amount of proper fertilizers, are, of course, necessary to
the perfection of a crop ; and by rendering plants healthy and
vigorous, and enabling them to withstand the vicissitudes of tem-
perature in a climate like ours, will do much to insure it, but they
will not wholly avail, if the cultivator allows himself to start with
inferior or even doubtful seed ; when his harvest comes, disappoint-
ment and loss are as sure to follow as day to follow night. This
is a matter of great importance, too often overlooked, and which
cannot be too frequently impressed upon cultivators, if they desire
to promote what most aim at in life, — their own pecuniary
interests.

KEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 193

The exhibitions of forced vegetables during the earlier portion of
the year, from January to April, were the most meagre we
remember to have seen for several years. The improvement hoped
for at these exhibitions in a former report has not been realized.
With the exception of a few fine specimens of Tennisball Lettuce
from George F. Stone, J. B. Moore, Josiah Crosby, and Walter
Russell, and Cucumbers and Rhubarb from Cephas H. Brackett,
there was nothing offered worthy of special mention until the
Azalea Exhibition, which occurred April 6th. From this time up
to the Annual Exhibition, in September, the weekly shows were
generall}^ very fine. Yery few inferior specimens were to be found
on our tables during the entire season, which is more than can be
said of some former 3'ears, and is certainl}' creditable to our con-
tributors.

A few vegetables, new to your Committee, have been shown for
the first time on our tables the past season, prominent among
which was a new variety of Rhubarb, exhibited by John C. Hovey,
June 1st, and called the Monarch. The specimens shown were ver}'^
large and handsome, and received the first prize.

July 13th Samuel G. Stone exhibited a new variety' of Sweet
Corn, under the name of Earh' Minnesota. It is a small but Aery
early variet}', and said to be of good quality, and may, on account
of its earliness, prove of value for the kitchen garden, although
we should consider it rather too small for a profitable market
variet}'.

On the same day C. M. Atkinson showed a very handsome
new variety of Pea, called Carter's Challenger. Your Committee
were verj* much pleased with its appearance, and hope to see it in
other collections the coming 3'ear.

June 15th M. W. Chadbourne showed a very fine collection of
Peas, consisting of the following varieties, viz. : Carter's First
Crop, Premium Little Gem, and Alpha.

June 26th the first and second prizes for Peas were awarded for
Alpha, and the third for William First. In addition to the above
named varieties, we also noticed the following sorts, which were
shown from time to time : Hill's Early, b}' Josiah Crosby ;
Caractacus, by Samuel Hartwell ; Kentish Invicta, by S. G.
Stone ; McLean's Advancer, by Walter Russell and others ; and
Commander-in-Chief, by M. W. Chadbourne. The first prize for
Lima Beans was again awarded to Benjamin G. Smith, who seems
11

194 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

to distance all competitors. Mr. Smith also carried off the first
prize for Limas at the Annual Exhibition. His specimens were
very fine ; he has got the pole, and evidently intends to keep it, —
filled with his splendid specimens, in readiness to sweep the board
of all the first prizes in the future.

The display at the Annual Exhibition, although much smaller
than on many previous occasions, was, on the whole, satisfactory in
its character. The falling off at this exhibition is accounted for b}^
the fact that several, who have heretofore been among our largest
and most constant contributors to these exhibitions for man}' 3'ears,
failed, for some cause, to put in an appearance. This was, of
course, to be regretted, as it is always desirable at our annual
shows to have all the space devoted to this department well filled.
Although lacking in quantity, in comparison with the previous
3'ear, the deficiency was more than made up by the excellence of
the specimens shown. It was the general remark that root crops
were the best and most perfect ever shown at any exhibition of the
Society.

The show of Tomatoes was, considering the lateness of the
season, remarkably full and fine. There were eighty different
dishes, representing all the leading varieties. The collection of
John Cummings was the largest and best. His specimens of
Boston Market, Gen. Grant, Emery, and Paragon, were full}' up to
the standard, and were much admired b}' all who entered the hall.
Samuel Hartwell and J. J. H. Gregor}', each showed a large col-
lection of very fine specimens. The first prizes for the best three
varieties, and best single dishes, were all won b}' Mr. Cummings.

The display of Potatoes, although not large, was unusuall}' fine.
The specimens shown were uniform in size, smooth, and well grown.
The whole number of dishes was twent3'-six, prominent among
which were the Earl}' Rose, Snow Elake, Early Vermont, Burbank's
Seedling, Early Ohio, and Dunmore's Seedling. The prize for the
best collection of new seedlings was not awarded, none being
exhibited.

The Squash family was also well represented at this exhibition.
The specimens of the different varieties showed a nearer approach
to the desired standard of excellence than has been the case at
any former show

Cauliflowers were not up to the usual standard at this exhibition,
although some excellent specimens were shown later in the season.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 195

We are indebted to 1. P. Dickinson, of Springfield, Mass.,
for the best collection of Watermelons ever seen in our hall.
The}' were noble specimens, weighing upwards of fifty pounds each,
and were much admired. Mr. Dickinson swept the board, taking
all the prizes, first, second, and third, and would have taken a
fourth, had one been offered. Greenflesh melons, owing to the
lateness of the season, were not up to the average ; most of the
specimens were small, somewhat spotted, and not equal to those
seen at the weekly- exhibitions during the month of August.

Before concluding our report we would call the attention of
contributors to important changes in the Schedule of Prizes
for 1879. It will be noticed, on referring to the Schedule,
that it has been found necessar}' to make a still further reduction
in the amount appropriated for prizes and gratuities, in this depart-
ment, for the coming jear. Also, that the number of prize ex-
hibitions has been reduced to five ; the first in March, the second
and third in June, the fourth — the Annual Exhibition — in
September, and the fifth in November. The amount placed at
the disposal of this Committee is $500, which sum has been
divided in such manner as to make each of these exhibitions as
full and interesting as possible. The prize list for the Annual
Exhibition in September remains much the same as this year.
One hundred dollars of the appropriation is reserved, to be awarded
in gratuities for such worth}^ objects as may be exhibited during
the interval from June to September, when no prizes are offered.

There has been a considerable falling oflf in the number of con-
tributors during the past year, as compared with the two previous
years. In 1876 premiums and gratuities were awarded to sixty-
seven different persons ; in 1877 to sixty- two, and in 1878 to fifty-
four.

The amount appropriated for Prizes and Gratuities the

past year, was $750 00

Awarded in Prizes, $503 00

Awarded in Gratuities, 167 00

Total amount of awards, 670 00

Balance unexpended, $80 00

196

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY.

The annexed list shows the Prizes and Gratuities awarded by
3^our Committee during the year.

All of which is respectfully submitted .

C. N. Brackett,

Walter Russell,

George W. Pierce, Committee

John Fillebrown, > on

JosiAH Crosby, Vegetables.

Anthony Hatch,

Samuel Hart well, ^

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES.

January 19.
Gratuity : —
George F. Stone, Lettuce and Dandelions, $1 00

January 26.
Gratuity : —
John B. Moore, Lettuce, 1 00

February 2. .

Gratuity : —

J. B. Moore, Lettuce, 1 00

February 9.
Gratuity : —

J. B. Moore, Lettuce, 1 00

February 16.

Gratuity : —

Cephas H. Brackett, Cucumbers and Rhubarb, . . • . 2 00

February 23.
Gratuities : —

J. H. Bell, collection, 2 00

J. B. Moore, Lettuce, 1 00

March 2.

Gratuities : —

J. B. Moore, Lettuce, 1 00

George Hill, " 1 00

C. H. Brackett, Rhubarb and Cucumbers, 2 00

Josiah Crosby, collection, 2 00

C. B. Gardiner, Mushrooms, 1 00

March 9.
Gratuity : —

Josiah Crosby, collection, 2 00

198

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

March 1G.

Gratuity : —
Walter Russell, collection,

12 00

AZALEA EXHIBITION,

April 6.

Cucumbers. — Pair of White Spine, C. H. Brackett,
Lettuce. — Four heads of Tennisball, George T. Stone, .

Second, Josiah Crosby, ......

Third, Charles Garfield,

Radishes. — Four bunches of Turnip Rooted, J. H. Bell,
Rhubarb. — Twelve stalks, J. H. Bell, . . . .
Parsley. — Two quarts, " ...

Mushrooms. — Twenty-four specimens, C. B. Gardiner, .

Gratuity : —
A. S. Mcintosh, Artichokes,

3 GO
3 00

2 00
1 00

3 00
3 00
3 00
3 00

1 00

Gratuity : —
Charles Garfield, Lettuce,

April 20.

1 00

Gratvdties : —
M. W. Chadbourne, Rhubarb,
George Dorr, "

April 27.

2 00
1 00

Gratuities : —
A. S. Mcintosh, Artichokes,
J. B. Moore, Asparagus, .
Charles Garfield, Lettuce,

May 4.

1 00

2 00
1 00

May 11.
Gratuities : —

J. B. Moore, Asparagus, ....
Samuel Hartwell, Asparagus and Rhubarb,

2 00
2 00

Gratuities : —
Walter Russell, Radishes, .
Samuel Hartwell, collection,
George F. Stone, Lettuce,

May 25.

1 00

2 00
1 00

PKIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES.

199

June 1.

Asparagus. — Four bunches, J. B. Moore, . . . . . |)3 00

Second, Samuel Hartwell, 2 00

Third, L. W. Weston, 1 00

Cucumbers. — Pair, Josiah Crosby, 3 00

Second, J. H. Bell, 2 00

Ehubarb. — Twelve stalks, J. C. Hovey, Monarch, . . . . 3 00

Second, Samuel Hartwell, Victoria, 2 00

Third, A. D. Capen, Linnaeus, • . 1 00

Radishes. — Four bunches of Long Scarlet, Josiah Crosby, . . 3 00

Lettuce. — Four heads, J. B. Moore, 3 00

Second, Josiah Crosby, 2 00

Third, George F. Stone, 1 00

Carrots. — Twelve, Josiah Crosby, 3 00

Beets. — Twelve, J. Crosby, 3 00

Gratuity : —

C. H. Brackett, Tomatoes, 1 00

June 15.
Gratuities: —
M. W. Chadbourne, collection of Peas,
Samuel Hartwell, Peas, ....

2 00
1 00

June 19.
Gratuities : —
M. W. Chadbourne, three varieties of Peas,
W. C. Child, collection of "

Samuel G. Stone, Kentish Invicta "

Samuel Hartwell, Caractacus "

C. E. Grant, Carter's First Crop "

Josiah Crosby, Hill's Early "

C. H. Brackett, White Spine Cucumbers, .
George Hill, Dewing's Early Beets, .
J. B. Moore, Lettuce, ....

Josiah Crosby, collection of seven varieties of Vegetables

2 00
2 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
5 00

STRAWBERRY SHOW.

June 26.

Peas. — One peck, M. W. Chadbourne, Alpha,
Second, J. H. Bell, Alpha, . . . .
Third, M. W. Chadbourne, William First,

3 00
2 00
1 00

200

MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

Beets. — Twelve Turnip Eooted, George Hill, Dewing's, . . .$3 00

Second, Walter Eussell, " . . . 2 00

Egyptian, J. Crosby, 3 00

Second, George HUl, 2 00

Third, Anthony Hatch, 1 00

CucuMBEKS. — Pair of White Spine, Cephas H. Brackett, . . 3 00

Second, George Hill, 2 00

Third, Walter Russell, 1 00

Lettuce. — Any variety, George Hill, 3 00

Second, Walter Eussell, 2 00

Third, Anthony Hatch, , 1 00

Onions. — Twelve, Josiah Crosby, . 3 00

Cakkots. — Twelve Intermediate, J. Crosby, 3 00

Second, Walter Russell, 2 00

Gratuities : —

M. W. Chadbourne, Early Rose Potatoes,
C. D. Kingman, " " "

C. H. Brackett, Tomatoes, ,
Walter Russell, Cabbages and Radishes,
Josiah Crosby, " " Carrots,

C. E. Grant, Peas, ....

2 00
1 00

1 00

2 00
2 00
1 00

June 29.
Gratuity : —
M. W. Chadbourne, collection of Peas,

] 00

July 6.

Cranberry Beans. — One peck, Josiah Crosbj'^,
Squashes. — Four Long Warted Summer, J. Crosby,

Second, George Hill, .....

Third, Walter Russell, ....

Peas. — One peck, J. B. Moore, Carter's Challenger

Second, Walter Russell, Advancer,

Third, S. G. Stone, " . .

Onions. — Twelve, J. Crosby, ....
Potatoes. — One peck, S. G. Stone, Early Rose,

Second, G. M. Mellen, "

Cabbages. — Four, Josiah Crosby, Henderson,

Second, George Hill, "

Third, W. Russell, Wyman,

3

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

Gratuity : —
M. W. Chadbourne, Potatoes, .

1 00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES.

201

July 13.

Potatoes. — One peck, M. W. Chadbourne, Early Rose, . . $3 00

Second, Horace Partridge, " . . 2 00

Gratuities : —

Josiah Crosby, Cabbages, 2 00

C. M. Atkinson, Carter's Challenger Peas, 1 00

M. W. Chadbourne, " 1 00

Charles Garfield, Valentine Beans, 1 00

Samuel G. Stone, Minnesota Corn, 2 00

Francis B. Hayes, Lettuce, 1 00

Jdi.y 20.

Sweet Cokn. — Twelve ears, S. G. Stone, Early Minnesota,

Second. S. Hartwell, Narragansett,

Third, S. G. Stone, Crosby,
Squashes. — Four Marrow, J. Crosby,
Cabbages. — Four Drumhead, J. Crosby,
Tomatoes. — Twelve, George W. Pierce, Emer^

y>

Gratuities : —
C. D. Kingman, Gen. Grant Tomatoes,
Mrs. E. M. Gill, Wax Beans, .
George M. Mellen, " "

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

3

00

3

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

July 27

Tomatoes. — Twelve, A. D. Capen, .
Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears, J. Crosby,

Second, L. W. Weston,

Third, S. Hartwell,

Gratuities : -.-
G, M. Mellen, Early Rose Potatoes,
W. H. Spooner, Golden Butter Beans,
Mrs. E. M. Gill, Horticultural Beans,
Francis B. Hayes, Cos Lettuce, .

3

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

August 3.

Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears, Josiah Crosby,

Second, L. W. Weston,

Third, J. H. Bell, ....
Squashes. — Four Marrow, Josiah Crosby,
Tomatoes. — Twelve Gen. Grant, J. H. Bell,

Second, C. N. Brackett,
12

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00
3 00

2 00

202

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Boston Market, A. D. Capen,

Second, M. W. Chadbourne,
Any other variety, Cliarles Garfield, Trophy,

Second, J. H. Bell, Emery,

Gratuities : —
G. M. Mellen, Corn and Tomatoes, .
S. G. Stone, Minnesota Corn,
S. Hartwell, Crosby "...

August 10.

Egg Plants. — Four Large Round Purple, John B. Moore,
Greenflesh Melons. — Four, George Hill,
MuskmelOns. — Four, J. H. Bell,

Gratuities :
Samuel G. Stone, Stowell's Evergreen Corn
John Cummings, Tomatoes,
Mrs. E. M. Gill, " . .

S. Hartwell, Potatoes and Corn,
M. W. Chadbourne, Tomatoes and Corn
Charles Garfield, " " "

August 17.

Greenflesh Melons. — Four, Warren Heustis,

Second, Walter Russell, ......

Third, George Hill,

Muskmelons. — Four, J. H. Bell, . . . . ,

Second, George Hill, ......

Egg Plants. — Four Large Round Purple, J. B. Moore,

Second, Walter Russell, ......

Third, Josiah Crosby, ......

Gratuities : —
George M. Mellen, Tomatoes, .
Mrs. E. M. Gill, "

Charles Garfield, "

Josiah Crosby, Greenflesh Melons,
Samuel Hartwell, Muskmelons,

" " Burr's Corn, .

C. E. Grant, Lima Beans and Corn,
C. N. Brackett, Squash Peppers,
B. K. Bliss, Asparagus,

August 24.

Beans. — Two quarts Large Lima, B. G. Smith,
Second, Samiiel Hartwell, ....
Third, C. E. Grant,

$3 00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

3

00

3

00

3

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES.

203

Peppers. — Twelve, C. N. Brackett,
Second, Josiah Crosby,
Third, James Bard,

Gratuities : —
J. B. Moore, collection, ....
A. D. Capen, collection of Tomatoes,
J. Cummings, Corn and Tomatoes, .
C. E. Grant, " " " . .

Mrs. E. M. Gill, collection of Beans,
C. M. Atkinson, Champion of England Peas,
S. Hartwell, Muskmelons,
S. G. Stdne, Lima Beans, ....

August 31.

Watermelons. — Pair, S. Hartwell, Mountain Sprout,

Second, J. H. Bell, Black Spanish,

Third, S. Hartwell, Mountain Sweet,'
Greenflesh Melons. — Four, J. B. Moore,

Second, J. H. Bell, ....

Third, Warren Heustis,

Gratuities : —
Josiah Crosby, Celery, ....
W. C. Child, Lima Beans,
C. E. Grant, Cocoanut Squashes,
Mrs. E. M. Gill, collection of Beans,
John Cummings, collection,
Samuel Hartwell, " ...

J. B. Moore, " ...

September 7.

Celery. — Four roots, Josiah Crosby,
Salsify. — Twelve, Walter Russell, .

Secondj John Cummings, .
Cauliflowers. — Four, John Cummings,

Gratuities : —
J. B. Moore, Greenflesh Melons,
G. M. Mellen, Squashes, .
D. R. Beckford, Jr., Tomatoes,
C. Terry, Potatoes, .
Samuel G. Stone, Lima Beans,
Samuel Hartwell, "

Charles Garfield, collection,
J. Cummings, "

Mrs. E. M. Gill,
A. D. Capen, "

$3 00
2 00
1 00

3 00

1 00

2 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00
1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

2 00
1 00
1 00

1 00
8 00

2 00
2 00

3 00
3 00

2 00

3 00

1 00

1 00

1

1

1

1

1

1

00
00
00
00
00
00
2 00
1 00

204

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

September 17, 18, 19, and 20.

Beets. — Turnip Rooted, George F. Stone,

Second, Walter Eussell,

Third, M. W. Chadbourne,
Carrots. — Long Orange, Walter Russell,

Second, .Josiah Crosby,

Third, John Cummings,
Intermediate, Walter Russell,

Second, Josiah Crosby,

Third, John Cummings,
Corn. — Sweet, James Comley,

Second, John Cummings, .

Third, Mrs. E. M. Gill,
Eield Corn, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, .

Second, C. N. Brackett,

Third, J. B. Tilley, .
Cauliflowers. — Four, John Cummings,

Second, J. B. Moore,
Celery. — Four roots, Josiah Crosby,

Second, Walter Russell,
Tomatoes. — Three varieties, J. Cumminj

Second, J. Cummings,

Third, Samuel Hartwell,
Arlington, J. Cummings,

Second, S. Hartwell, .
Boston Market, J. Cummings,

Second, S. Hartwell, .
Emery, J. Cummings, .

Second, S. Hartwell, .
Gen. Grant, J. Cummings,

Second, S. Hartwell, .
Any other variety, J. Cummings, Paragon,

Second, J. J. H. Gregory, Paragon, .
Okka. — Twenty-four, Mrs. M. T. Goddard,
Martynias. — Twenty-foiir, G. W. Pierce,

Second, Anthony Hatch,
Cranberries. — Half-peck, O. M. Holmes,
Greenflesh Melons. — Four, J. H. Bell,

Second, Edward Sumner, .

Third, S. Hartwell, ....
Watermelons. — Pair, I. P. Dickinson, Excelsior,

Second, " " Gypsy,

Third, " " Black Spanish,

PEIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 205

Beans. — Large Lima, B. G. Smith, $3 00

Second, M. H. Merriam, 2 00

Third, S. Hartwell, 1 00

Paksnips.— Long, W. A. Crafts, 3 00

Second, M. W. Chadl)ourne, 2 00

Third, John L. De Wolf, 1 00

Potatoes. — Four varieties, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, . . . . 4 00

Second, John Cummings, ........ 8 00

Early Eose, J. L. De Wolf, 3 00

Second, J. Cummings, ........ 2 00

Third, J. B. Moore, 1 00

Snow Flake, Walter Eussell, 3 00

Second, J. L. De Wolf, 2 00

Third, J. Cummings, 1 00

Any other variety, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, King of the Earlies, . 3 00

Second, W. Eussell, Early Vermont, 2 00

Third, J. Cummings, Eureka, . . . . . . . 1 00

Salsify. — Twelve, W. A. Crafts, 3 00

Second, J. L. De Wolf, 2 00

Third, Walter Eussell, 1 00

Squashes. — Canada, C. E. Calder, . . . . . . . 3 00

Second, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, 2 00

Third, W. A. Crafts, 1 00

Huhbard, George Hill, 4 00

Second, Walter Eussell, 3 00

Third, J. Cummings, 2 00

Marblehead, J. J. H. Gregory, 4 00

Second, George Hill, 3 00

Third, John Cummings, ........ 2 00

Marrow, George Hill, . . . 4 00

Second, C. E. Calder, 3 00

Third, J. Cummings, 2 00

Turban, J. Cummings, ......... 4 00

Second, J. J. H. Gregory, 3 00

Third, John Sias, . . 2 00

Largest and best Mammoth, not less than 100 lbs., the Society's
Bronze Medal, to Josiah Newhall; weight of specimen, IGO
lbs.

Turnips. —Twelve, S. Hartwell, 3 00

Second, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, 2 00

Swedish, S. Hartwell, 3 00

Second, Mrs. M. T. Goddard, 2 00

Cabbages. — Drumhead, J. Cummings, . . . . . . 4 00

Second, Walter Eussell, 3 00

Third, J. B. Tilley, 2 00

Red, J. Cummings, ......... 4 00

Second, Mrs. M. T. Goddard 3 00

206

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Sa\'oy, J. Cummings, ....

Second, J. B. Tilley, ....

Third, Walter Russell,
Horseradish. — Six roots, Walter Russell,
Peppers. — Twenty-four, C. N. Brackett,

Second, Walter Russell,

Third, Josiah Crosby,
Onions. — Danvers Yellow, George Hill, .

Second, Walter Russell,

Third, J. Cummings, ....
Red, Walter Russell, ....

Second, S. Hartwell, ....

Third, J. J. H. Gregory, .
Portugal, Josiah Crosby,
Egg Plant. — Large Purple, Walter Russell,

Second, George W. Pierce,

Third, J. B. Moore, ....

Gratuities : —
M. H. Merriam, Cayenne Peppers, .
James Comley, " "

Mrs. E. M. Gill, Lima Beans, .
Charles Gartield, " "
J. Gardiner, Kidney Beans,
John B. Turner, collection of Beans,

C. M. Atkinson, Lettuce, .

D. R. Beckford, Jr., Tomatoes,
G. W. Pierce, collection of Tomatoes,
J. J. H. Gregory, Butman Squashes,
LeM'is Slack, Canada "
Walter Russell, Parsley, .
M. W. Chadbourne, collection,
C. E. Grant,
J. H. Bell,

Josiah Newhall, "

Julius R. Wakefield, collection of Gourds,

October
Cauliflowers. — Four, John B. Moore,
Second, John Cunmiings, .
Third, Walter Russell,
Celery. — Four roots, Walter Russell,

Second, Josiah Crosby,
Cabbages. — Drumhead, J. Cummings,
Second, W. S. Janvrin,
Red, John Cummings, .
Savoy, "

Second, Walter Russell,

$4 00
3 GO

2 00

3 00
3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
1 00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

PEIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 207

Salsify. —Twelve, Walter Eussell, $3 00

Second, F. B. Hayes, 2 00

Horseradish. — Six roots, Walter Russell, . . . . . 3 00

Gratuities : —

F. B. Hayes, Mushrooms, 1 00

C. E. Calder, Lettuce, 1 00

C. E. Grant, collection, 1 00

Samuel Hartwell, Tomatoes, ........ 1 00

Benjamin G. Smith, Lima Beans, . . . . . . . 1 00

Samuel G. Stone, " " . . . . . . . 1 00

October 19.

Gratuities : —

Josiah Crosby, Celery, ......... 1 00

F. B. Hayes, Mushrooms, 1 00

October 26.

Gratuity : —

Samuel G. Stone, Lima Beans, ........ 1 00

/ November 9.

Gratuities : —

C. E. Grant, collection, . 1 00

A. S. Mcintosh, Artichokes, 1 00

F. B. Hayes, Mushrooms, . . . . . . . . 1 00

REPORT

COMMITTEE ON GARDENS.

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

By JOSEPH H. WOODFORD, Chairman.

Your Committee have been foi^tunate this yeav in receiving invita-
tions to inspect two estates not entered for prizes. The first visit
was on the 24th of May, to C. S. Sargent's, at Brookline. This
estate consists of over one hundred and thirty acres, situated in
the most delightful part of the town. The surface of the ground
is undulating, and its natural advantages have been judiciously
utilized b}' the tasteful grouping of trees, shrubs, and plants.
American and foreign evergreens, and choice Chinese and Japan
shrubs and trees are to be seen in profusion, giving an air of
refined taste to the whole estate. Choice azaleas, rhododendrons,
and palms, resplendent with bloom and fine foliage, were elegantly
arranged under a huge tent, and proved wonderfully attractive,
probably more so than usual, to the thousands of people who
annually visit thig beautiful estate. The Fernery, and arrange-
ment of plants in it, caused many exclamations of pleasure and
delight. Groupings of echeverias and agaves were also much
admired. In fact, the whole place pi-esented an appearance of
great study, and the successful combination of natural advantages
with skilled art in the management of trees and shrubs, and laying
out of the grounds. Mr. Sargent, in the largeness of his heart,
annually throws his grounds open to the public ; and multitudes

KEPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 209

avail themselves of his generous hospitality', and will forever bless
his name for giving them days of restful pleasure amid the beauties
he has culled from every clime.

To Mr. Sargent 3'our Committee are much indebted, and beg to
thank him most heartil}^ for the noble example he maintains from
year to jear for others to emulate, and for the joy he dispenses
broadcast to the many visitors who annually appreciate such
generosity and hospitality.

The second visit was made on the 22d of June, to the " Hermi-
tage," the delightful residence of William Gray, Jr., the President
of our Society. The weather was decidedly cold and rain}-, ^et
there was a goodly gathering of the veterans of the Society on this
occasion, and a coidial welcome was extended to us as we entered
Mr. Gray's hospitable mansion. A good fire of hickorj' logs was
burning on the hearth, and boxes of elegant roses adorned the
reception room. After the company had been regaled with a
bountiful collation, the rain ceased, and an inspection of the estate
began. The naturally' undulating surface of the ground had been
made more beautiful b}- careful tilth, and the judicious grouping of
trees and shrubs. The whole surface of the estate not covered bv
trees, or under cultivation, was a close shaven lawn, in excellent
condition, and presenting the appearance of a rich green carpet,
not onl}- to the e3'e but to the feet.

Rhododendrons, and other choice foreign and American ever-
greens, were planted with good taste, and the grouping of tropical
and native shrubery and trees was very skilfully done. A spacious
tent, which is to remain a permanent fixture, covered a very
pretty tropical garden of palms and ferns, grouped in the happiest
manner.

The rose garden presented a remarkabl}- vigorous growth of the
finest imported plants, some of them showing blooms exceeding
five inches in diameter.

On the whole the estate presented a well kept and splendid
appearance, and is just such a place as gentlemen of refined taste
delight in occup}ing.

On the 23d day of July your Committes visited the garden of
William Doran & Son, at Brookline, which was entered in compe-
tition, as a Garden of Small Fruits. This garden consists of two
acres of land, which has been brought under cultivation by great
13

210 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

toil and perseverance by the present proprietor, and is entirely
devoted to the cultivation of small fruits.

The different kinds of strawberries grown were Downer's Seed-
ling, Lady of the Lake, Kentuek}', Wilson, Col. Chene}', and
Jucunda, and about 1700 quarts are annually marketed.

The currants were of the following kinds : Versailles, Dutch,
Cherry, and Champagne ; and the crop was estimated at 2500
quai-ts. The cultivation was such as to prolong the crop, thereby
realizing better prices than could be obtained during the height of
the season.

The raspberries consisted of Antwerp, Franconia, and Highland
Hardy. The crop was being marketed at the time of our visit, and
would amount to about 1200 quarts.

The grapes under cultivation were Concord, and Doran's Seedling,
both promising good crops. The usual quantity marketed is about
1000 pounds.

Mr. Doran assured the Committee that the labor of fitting the
ground for planting, and of planting and cultivation, had all been
performed by himself and family, and that he is now receiving the
reward of his labor in a comfortable subsistence from the product
of his two acres. It was voted to award him a gratuity of ten
dollars, as a slight token of our appreciation of his perseverance
and success in small fruit gardening.

On Friday, the 9th of August, 3'our Committee, together with
other gentlemen, members of our Society, paid a second visit to
the large estate of Francis B. Hayes, at Lexington, which was last
year entered for the Hunnewell Triennial Premium. The day
proved ver}^ boisterous and rainy, deterring a good manj- of the
veterans in horticulture from venturing out ; j^et, notwithstanding
the inclemency of the weather, more than thirty members responded
to Mr. Hayes' kind invitation, and were amply repaid for so doing.
"While we were going over the place, and had ascended to the top of
Granny's Hill, which was fully half a mile from any shelter, a most
terrific storiB of rain and hail burst upon us, completely- putting a
damper on our spirits for the time being, and "making our walk
around the farm not very agreeable. When the storm ceased, we
resumed our inspection, freel}' commenting upon the beauties of
the place, and discussing the various improvements in contempla-
tion ; after which we all again gathered at the mansion, where we
were hospitably entertained before leaving to take the train for

EEPOET OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 211

Boston. At a subsequent visit to this place b}^ your Chairman, and
another member of the Committee, we found other improvements
going forward and in contemplation, which will add, when com-
pleted, new beauties to this grand estate, and afford greater
pleasure to future visitors. Some of these improvements consisted
in the removal of rhododendron beds to better locations, with thfe ad-
dition of new and ver}^ large plants ; new beds of azaleas of the
best kinds, and numerous other ornamental trees and shrubs, and
the making of a new lawn southeast of the mansion. The present
aim of Mr. Ha^-es seems to be the accumulation of vast quantities
of valuable trees and shrubs, with which he will in time make his
ample grounds even more beautiful than now, and more attrac-
tive to the visitor. The flower plats and borders were in good
condition, and the whole estate showed by its keeping that careful
attention was being bestowed upon it by a gentleman unsurpassed
bj' an}' member of our society in his enthusiasm for horticulture.
Long may he live to enjoy it !

All of which is respectfully submitted.

J. H. WOODFOED, Chairman.

REPORT

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON WINDOW GARDENING.

By Mrs. H. L. T. WOLCOTT, Secretary,

At the meeting of the Society, held on the 2d of March, the
following communication was read b}^ the President : —

" The undersigned, interested in advancing a practical taste for
horticulture, especially among the children of the laboring classes,
desire that the Massachusetts Horticultural Society shall offer
prizes for Window Gardening, and conduct all the business of
advertising, exhibiting, and awarding prizes.

RuFus Ellis.
Henry W. Foote.
C. A. Bartol."

In response to this request, a special committee, consisting of
the Standing Committee on Plants and Flowers, with Mrs. H. L.
T. Wolcott, Mrs. E. M. Gill, and Mrs. C. N. S. Horner, was
appointed to carry out the object sought. The first meeting of this
Committee was held in the Library room, on Thursda}^, March 7th,
at noon.

Ignorance as to the best methods to achieve success was the first
obstacle in the path of the Committee ; therefore the ladies at
whose suggestion the request had been made, were asked to attend
and more fully explain their plans. After a short discussion it
was decided to follow the course the experience of the Society had
approved, and to offer prizes and gratuities for plants grown in
windows, the Society not to be in any way responsible for any
expenditure of mone3^ At an adjourned meeting, a sub- committee,
consisting of Messrs. Spooner, Ross, and Hitchings, with Mrs.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WINDOW GARDENING. 213

"Wolcott, was chosen, and to them was committed the work of
preparing a list of such plants as could be grown satisfactorily in
windows, especially those which would not require a large share of
sunlight, and also of arranging a list of prizes to stimulate a
healthful rivalry.

The second obstacle confronting the Committee was the difficulty
of reaching the children to be encouraged to cultivate the plants.
The third was the lesser one of obtaining plants for distribution.

To meet the second obstacle, a circular was issued to the pastor of
ever J church in the city proper, and the outlying wards. In these
circulars the co-operation of the pastor, and a lady connected with
the Sunda}^ School, was requested. An informal meeting of the
Committee, on Tuesday, April 2d, was attended by about forty
ladies and gentlemen, who discussed the plans quite fully. At this
time generous offers of plants, suitable for the purpose, were made
by H. Weld Fuller, and Henry Ross. A Schedule of prizes to be
offered was published, uniform with that of the Society's other
prizes, and distributed to those schools which had expressed an
interest in the subject, as well as to those missionaries who were
conversant with the children to be reached. During the month of
June but few plants were presented for gratuities. On each
Saturda}- in Julj' and August, plants were offered by the children,
and after a few gratuities had been awarded the interest became
quite general. On September 14th the Society, through the Com-
mittee, opened the Lower Hall for a special exhibition, and a
couple of hundred plants were brought for competition according to
the Schedule. While the Committee were occupied in deciding on
the merits of the specimens, which, to say the least, were not as
thrifty as those that usually grace the tables, the criticisms of
the passers by were, in a few instances, unfavorable, but a word of
explanation as to the raisers was accepted pleasantly, and a
Schedule, which contained a brief statement of the work, was carried
awa}' to be conned over at home.

Those who have watched this movement from the first, while
cognizant of all the difficulties that lie in the way of all new
departures, have been encouraged by the interest manifested, and
the good results shown. Letters from several gentlemen and
ladies bear testimony to the happy influences alread}- noticed. It
may here be mentioned, that the da}' appointed b^- the Committee
for their final show was a fortnight earlier than the da}- for the

214 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

re-opening of some of the schools, and, therefore, two, at least, of
our large mission schools were not represented, the pastor and
teachers being absent from the city. Of the city schools, that
of the church under the pastoral care of Eev. G. J. Prescott was
always well represented.

The work of this Committee commenced with the idea of interest-
ing the children of the laboring classes. We feel sure that many
children of a larger growth, not belonging to this particular class,
will confess to the beneficial influence. The touching spectacle of
the procession of little children bearing their plants so proudly
through the streets, and presenting them to the Committee, carried
its blessing.

In reporting the financial condition of the treasury, with a balance
on the right side, we hope to insure for another 3- ear that hearty
co-operation of all friends of advancement, which will furnish a
generous allowance of money.

The amount of cash received by the Committee was $115 00

Paid for printing circulars, schedules, etc., 14 00
" " Advertisement in Boston Herald, 10 00
" " Gratuities and Prizes, 81 28

105 28

Cash on hand, $9 72

A list of the prizes and gratuities awarded is subjoined.
Respectfully submitted,

HENRIETTA L. T. WOLCOTT,

Secretary of the Committee.

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR WINDOW
GARDENING.

June 1.

Gratuity : —

Mrs. P. D. Richards, Gymnogramme siilpliurea.

ROSE SHOW.

June 19.

Gratuity : —

D. R. Beckforil, four variegated Pelargoniums.

JULT 13.

Cut Native Flowers. — First prize, best collection, to D. R. Beckford, Jr.
Second prize, to E. W. Mitcliell.

July 20.
Gratuities : —

Edward Revaleon, and Sophia Rouse, Cut Flowers, grown in a bay window.

July 27.

Gratuities : —

Edward Revaleon, and Sophia Rouse, Cut Flowers.

August 3.

Gratuities : —

J. .Jewett, Coleus ; E. W. Mitchell, Torenia; Sophia Rouse, Cut Flowers.

August 17.
Gratuities : —

Maude G. Bartlett, and George A. Mitchell, Fuchsias; W. B. Page, Carna-
tion ; Annie E. Middleton, Geranium ; Mary L. Mackay, Oxalis.

August 24.

Gratuities : —

William Swcatman, and Lily M. Armstrong, Geraniums; Frank Henkle,
Augustus Toop, Helen G. Mackay, W. B. Page, John J. Schwenk, and
Dora F. Schwenk, Zonale Geraniums ; Richard Middleton, Sweet Scented

216 IHASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Geranium ; Minnie Wayne, and Nellie Mackay, Begonias ; Robert W.
Middleton, Heliotrope; S. Toop, Coleus ; Dorcas Dorety, Fuchsias;
Martha Page, German Ivy; G. W. Page, and Frank G. Armstrong,
Mesembryanthemums ; C. E. Page, Oxalis ; Augustus Kendal, Carna-
tion ; Henry B. Staples, Cut Flowers.

August 31.

Gratuities : —

Nellie Benkett, and William Moore, Geraniums ; Lizzie Utz, Joseph Moore,
and Ella Remick, Zonale Geraniums; Mary Middleton, Alternanthera;
W. H. Middleton, E. Middleton, and E. Mitchell, Begonias; Sarah Tib-
nam, Kate Middleton, Mary Williams, E. Page, and Anna C. Billings,
Fuchsias; W. Middleton, Tradescantia; Robert Tibnam, Coleus; Alice
Tibnara, and Julia Billings, Achyranthes ; Mary Libby, Mesembryan-
themums ; Rosetta Middleton, and George Lunt, Ivy.

September 7.
Gratuities : —

Addie Moore, Begonia ; Stella B. Staples, Marion H. Havrkins, and Gertrude
Hawkins, Pelargoniums ; Henry B. Staples, Coleus and Cut Flowers.

September 14.

Sweet Scented Geranium. — Richard Middleton ; second, William Moore ;

third, George E. Armstrong.
Bronze Geranium. — Annie E. Middleton; second, William Sweatman;

third, E. W. Mitchell.
Zonale Geranium. — Stella J. Pickett ; second, F. Farley ; third, Carrie

Sandberg.
Hydrangea. — Nellie F. Meeker; second, Zillah Lucas.
Heliotrope. — Hattie Chater ; second, William Sweatman; third, W. M.

Armstrong.
Begonia. — Alfred Westberg; second, Esther Ottinger; third, A. A. Ken-

nison.
Coleus. — Charles Stearns; seconid, Sadie Bowman ; third, Mrs. Rogers.
Tradescantia. — Jeanette Ottinger; second, E. W. Mitchell.
German Ivy (Senecio). — Philip Utz; second, Emma Ottinger ; third, A. A.

Kennison.
English Ivy. — First, second, and third prizes to Downer Kerosene Oil Co.
Sempervivum. — A.B.Drake.

Bridal Rose (Rubus roscefolius). — Third prize, E. Staples.
Fern. — Single plant, third prize, E. Staples, for Aspidium acrostichoides.
Sweet Aly'SSUM. — Second prize, H. Staples.

PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 217

Gratuities : —
Joseph Moore, Etta A. Stevens, Mary Libby, H. R. Staples, W. B. Page,

Anna Schlicht, George Dwyer, and H. Staples, Zonale Geraniums.
John Schwenk, Clara E. Barron, Dora Schwenk, Sarah Dunphy, Esther

Ottinger, Mamie Schlicht, Groesinger, Frank Dyer, Mrs. H. L.

Macker, Flora Burbank, Austin A. Stevenson, Maggie Reed, John H.

Mace, Emma Bense, Ella Remick, M. Dame, Frank Marsden, Emma

Smith, Frank Henkle, Augustus Toop, and Graves, Geraniums ;

E. A. Mudge, and Willie J. Mudge, Heliotropes.

William Sweatman, Ruth Morriss, EmmaF. Smith, Kate Middleton, S. Toop,

and E. Smith, Begonias.
A. Wagner and R. Middleton, Foliage Begonias.

AVilliam Sweatman, Kate Middleton, Ellen Nugent, and E. Page, Fuchsias.
Mary S. Macker and C. E. Page, Oxalis.
Sadie Bowman, B. Dunphy. Etta F. Stearns, George Middleton, Mary Macker,

C. Beeker, S. Toop, H. L. Macker, and Ella L. Stevens, Coleus.
A. E. Shepard, W. Page, Nellie L. Macker, Alice F. Duke, and Maggie

Follis, German Ivies.
Addie Morriss, Emma Ottinger, S. E. T. (B. Y. M. C. A.), Frank Henkle,

and George L. Libby, English Ivies.
Carrie Gubert, G. W. Page, Mrs. Rogers, Julia Ottinger, Bennie Sandberg,

Frank Armstrong, and E. W. Mitchell, Mesembryanthenmms.

Moses Sandberg, Groesinger, and Mrs. Albert Brown, Centaureas,

Theresa Morriss and F. Macker, Bouvardias.
Ella E. Barron and S. Toop, Salvias.

A. A. Kennison and Sarah Tibnam, Jerusalem Cherries (Solaiium Pseudo-
Capsicum) .
John Dunlap, Sempervivum ; Ella L. Stevenson, Stock; Rosetta Middleton,

Box plants; H. Staples, Wild Flowers, and collection of pot plants;

Nellie Macker, Oleander; Mrs. E. L. Muzzey, Melothria pendula ; R.

Petremant, Amaryllis ; Jeanette Ottinger, Periwinkle ; E. W. Mitchell,

Peristrojphe.
14

REPORT

OF THE

Committee of Arrangements,

FOR THE3 YEAR 1878.

The Committee of Arrangements of the Massachusetts Horticul-
tural Societ}' would respectfully submit the following report : —

The weekly exhibitions during the past year have been of great
interest, and, in point of excellence, equal to any the Society has
ever held in the past. They were fuUj^ attended, not only by
members, but by large numbers of the public generally.

The Annual Rose Show, and the Exhibition of Strawberries,
Cherries, and Early Vegetables, in June, were quite equal, if not
superior, to an}' heretofore held. These also were crowded with
visitors who expressed much satisfaction with the exquisite displa}^
of rare flowers, and the choice specimens of early fruits and vege-
tables. These exihibitiqus, like the weekly ones, were free.

The Annual Exhibition of the Society, in September, was every-
thing that could be wislied. Both the quantity and quality of the
vegetables, fruits, plants, and flowers, were as fine as of an}' ever
exhibited, and afforded much pleasure and satisfaction, not onl}' to
members of the Society, but to many of the public. The arrange-
ment of the halls was in charge of sub-committees appointed from
the Committees on Fruits, Flowers, and Vegetables, who performed
their duties most acceptably ; in fact, nothing was left undone that
it was thought would make the exhibition successful ; it was well
advertised, and ver}' fully noticed b}^ the newspapers, and nothing-
was omitted whereby we could obtain a large attendance.

When we hear and read of the enthusiasm and financial success
attending the exhibitions of the horticultural societies of other
cities, we can but feel gratified, knowing as we do that the germs
of most of them grew out of our own societ}', and that the}' were

EEPORT OF THE COIMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 219

formed in consequence of the stimulus given them by our exhibitions.
For fifty years the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has been
laboring successfully to create a love and taste for the cultivation
of choice fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and, thus far, constant
progress has been made in their cultivation, and our annual exhibi-
tions have increased in interest from year to year. Not only has
this interest been felt by our own members, but the public have also
shared in it, as thousands of beautiful gardens throughout the
country testify by the great improvement of their fruits and vege-
tables, and by the displa}' of a vast number of new and choice
flowers. The taste for and love of flowers, and the cultivation of
choice fruits and fine vegetables, has, by the example of our Society,
been extended all over the country. We have every reason to be
proud of the work that has been accomplished by the Societ}' — a
work commenced and prosecuted with great vigor b}- our first
members, man}-, indeed most, of whom have passed awaj^, but
the remembrance of whose unwearied perseverance is ever present
to encourage and strengthen us to prosecute with zealous interest
the object for which the Society was founded.

The exhibitions of the past year have fully sustained the reputa-
tion of the Society, and we have everj^ reason to believe, if nature
smiles favorabl}^ on our exertions, that this year, in which occurs
our fiftieth anniversar}^, will be of increased interest to all who
have the welfare of the Society at heart.

The record of the various meetings of the Committee would fail to
be of especial interest to the members of the Societ}', confined as they
•have been to discussions relative to the best means of arranging
the halls and the various contributions, perfecting the details con-
cerning the exhibitions, and endeavoring to make them prove
interesting to the members and the public at large.

CHAS. H. B. BRECK, Chairman.

REPORT

COMMITTEE ON PUBLICATION AND DISCUSSION.

The work of the year appears so fully in the published Transac-
tions, as to make unnecessary any extended report. For the
accurate and excellent digest of the discussions, as well as the
supervision of all our prifited reports, the society is largely indebted
to our Secretary.

We are happy to report that the manuscript of the .fifty years'
history of the Society is now completed, and has been placed in the
hands of the Committee for publication. Your Committee have
now under consideration the manner and the time of publication.
Although no definite plan has been decided upon, yet it may be
proper to sa}^ that the volume, which will make about four hundred
octavo pages, will doubtless be issued during the coming year.

The number of essaj's competing for prizes has been unusually
small this year ; hence, we shall have but little material in this
form to present at our meetings for discussion. It is, therefore,
the more desirable that our members, who have had so much
experience in the various branches of our art, should show a readi-
ness to contribute their observations for these discussions. Could
we but bring to light the experiments and the results of our most
successful cultivators, we should make additions to horticultural
knowledge which would be well worth}^ of permanent record.

A prize of $25 has been awarded to J. W. Pierce, of West
Millbury, Mass., for an Essaj' upon the Culture and Marketing of
Apples, with special reference to the increased difficulty in the
profitable production of that fruit.

KespectfuUy submitted by

W. C. Strong, ^ Committee on

A. B. MuzzEY, > Publication cmd

E. L. Sturtevant, j Discussion.

\

Report of the Secretary,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

The work in this department is so similar in its character from
5'ear to j^ear, that a report of it for the past year must necessarily
be similar to those of previous years. The usual notes have
been made of the discussions, after which the}^ have been written
out and submitted to the various speakers for revision. The
reports, and other matters contained in the Transactions, have
been carefully prepared for the press, and superintended while
passing through it ; and I have endeavored in every way to co-
operate with the Committee on Publication and Discussion in
collecting and disseminating such information as would be for the
advancement of horticulture. The reports of the weekly and
annual exhibitions have been prepared for publication in the " Bos-
ton Evening Transcript" as heretofore. To the keeping of the
former records of the Society and of the Executive Committee,
there has this year been added, by vote of the Society, a record of
all the awards made by the Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable Committees.
Special attention has been given to sj'stematizing the distribution
of the publications of the Society, and keeping an exact record of
every copy sent out, both to correspondents and immediate mem-
bers, which, it is believed, will result in a more economical per-
formance of this work. The revision of the lists of Honorary and
Corresponding Members has been continued, but after the most
diligent inquiry, and very extensive correspondence in every quarter
where it seemed probable that information could be obtained, there
are yet more than twenty Honorary and Corresponding Members of
whom O'.ilj the names are known. Probably much the larger part
of these are now deceased, but until this is certainly known it seems
hardly proper to place the star against their names. I would here
repeat the request made last year to any persons who may receive
our publications, to communicate information for the correction of
these lists, or of the lists of the immediate members of the Society.

222 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Quite as many specimens of fruit have been presented for name
as usual, and, in tlie absence of the Fruit Committee, most of these
have been placed in mj^ hands. Owing to the great crop of apples,
and the small crop of pears, the proportion of apples has been'
unusually large, and, as the number of varieties of apples grown is
much larger than that of pears, and the}' have been less studied
here than pears, the queries propounded for solution have been
unusually difficult, but every exertion has been made to answer
them.

The History of the Society, which was last year announced as
completed to the close of the year 1874, has been continued as far
as possible, until the reports for the present year of the various
officers and committees are received.

The miscellaneous calls for information have not been less in
number than usual, but as it is impossible to particularize them I
can onl}^ saj^ that the}' have in e\evy case been answered to the best
of my ability, and have, in the aggregate, occupied no inconsidera-
ble portion of time.

ROBERT MANNING, Secretary.

REPORT

OF THE

LIBRARY COMMITTEE,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

Your Committee beg to submit the following report on the con-
dition and progress of the library during the past 3'ear :

The Societ3''s appropriation has been expended wholly for
periodicals and binding, and the income of the Stickney Fund has
been used, according to the terms of the loan, in the purchase of
books exclusively. A list of the books and magazines purchased
and presented accompanies this report.

Although a larger sum could have been used to advantage for the
purchase of periodicals, as the income of the Stickney Fund is
limited to the purchase of standard works, the amount of the
Society's appropriation has been found sufficient, and it is hoped
that a similar appropriation will be made for the ensuing 3'ear. We
would, however, add tliat there are a number of valuable periodicals
which it would be well for the Society to have, and we trust that
with returning prosperity the annual appropriations for the library
will be increased.

All of the most useful works on botany and horticulture,
published during the year, have been added to the library, and our
sets of bound periodicals have, as far as possible, been completed
by the purchase of missing volumes. Of late years considerable
attention has been turned to the importance of preserving and
extending American fore >ts, already almost exterminated in many
parts of the country-, and to the care and study of forest trees. It
is doubtful if any branch of rural improvement now occupies more
generall}' the public mind than the science of forestrj-, or offers in
all its branches a better field for careful study and investigation.
Your Committee have endeavored to procure as many works as

224 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

possible, ill all languages, bearing on this subject, and our library
alread}^ possesses the most important collection of such works in
this country. There are many books of this class too rare and
valuable for private libraries, and your Committee have procured
such works when possible, placing them within the reach of man}'
who could not obtain them in any other way.

It is very desirable that the Societ3''s regulation providing that a
bulletin shall be posted in the Library Room, giving the titles of
the new books as the}' are added, should be complied with, and it is
hoped that within a few years, the Society will be able to publish a
new Catalogue, or a supplement to the present one.

The want of additional shelf room is more seriously felt each
year, and it will soon become an absolute necessity for the Society
to consider the extension of the library accommodations.

In this connection, it will be well to consider the necessity of
carefully preserving, in such a manner as to render them at all
times accessible to the members of the Society, the numerous
valuable pamphlets, and other occasional publications on rural
matters which could be easily procured by gift or purchase, and
which, if properly cared for, would form one of the most valuable
departments of the library. Such publications your Committee
have not endeavored to procure, as no provision for their care has
ever been made, it having been the custom of those directly in
charge of the library to dispose of such pamj)hlets and journals as
seemed of little value to them, to other societies, on the plea of
want of accommodation. It is veiy desirable that eveiy journal
relating to horticulture or agriculture, and every pamphlet and
catalogue sent to the Societ3^ should be carefully preserved and
bound, and thus made accessible for future examination and study.

Your Committee also consider it their duty to direct the atten-
tion of the Society to the uses for which their Library Rooms are
employed ; uses which render them unfit places for quiet reading or
study. "While the propriety of leasing the Societ3''s halls is not
disputed, it is submitted that the rooms containing one of the most
valuable horticultural and botanical libraries in the world, should
not be turned into a general headquarters for the managers of the
miscellaneous exhibitions which visit Boston, and who, by their
loud conversation and passing to and fro, cause a confusion which
is not in harmou}^ with the objects of the Society, and which
especially interferes with the legitimate uses of the library.

EEPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE. 225

The fern case presented by Mr. Davenport had become much
overcrowded by the numerous specimens added b}' that gentleman,
and a new one has been made under his kind supervision, giving
ample accommodation for future additions, besides much improving
the appearance of the room. It may be of interest to add that
those most capable of judging, consider this to be one of the most
valuable and complete collections of North American ferns in
existence, and the Society is very fortunate in possessing such a
treasure.

As all the library bills will not have been paid until the close of
this year, the exact amounts expended by 3'our Committee will
appear in the Report of the Treasurer.

For the Committee,

WALDO O. ROSS, Chairman.

LIBRARY ACCESSIONS.
Books Purcuased.

Decandolle, A. et C. Monographiaj Phanerogamarum, etc. Vol. 1.,

Smilacese, Restiacea;, Meliaceaj. 9 plates. Large 8vo. Paris : 1878.
Watson, Sereno. Bibliographical Index to North American Botany. Part. 1,

Polypetalas. 8vo. Washington: 1878.
Elwes, Henry John, F. L. S., F. Z. S. A Monograph of the Genus Lilium.

Illustrated by W. H. Fitch, F. L. S. Parts 1-4. Folio. 32 colored

plates. London : 1877.
Chate, E. Fils. Le Canna. IGrao. Paris : no date.
Bradley, Richard, F. R. S. History of Succulent Plants. Small 4to. 50

plates. London: 1716.
Bentley, Robert, F. L. S., and Henry Trimen, M. B., F. L. S. Medicinal

Plants. Parts 19-36, in continuation. 8vo. colored plates. London :

1877, 78.
Gray, Asa, LL. D. Synoptical Flora of North America. GamopetalEe after

Compositae. Vol. 2. Part I. Large 8vo. New York : 1878.
Flora Danica. Fasciculus XLIX. Folio. Plates 2881-2940. Copenhagen:

1877.
Oliver, Daniel, F. R. S., F. L. S. Flora of Tropical Africa. Vol. 3. Um-

belliferae to Ebenacese. 8vo. London : 1877.
Baker, J. G., F. L. S. Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles. 8vo. London :

1877.
Bentham, G. Flora Australiensis. Vols. 5, 6, and 7. MyoporincEe to Filices.

8vo. London: 1870-78.
Crepin, Frangois. Guide du Botaniste en Belgique. 12mo. Paris : 1878.

15

226 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY,

Lavallee, Alph. Arboretum Segrezianum. Enumeration des Arbres et
Arbrisseaux, cultives a Segrez. 8vo. Paris : 1877.

Gordon, George, A. L. S. The Pinetum. 2d Edition. 8vo. London : 1875.

Brown, James, LL. D. The Forester; or a Practical Treatise on the Plant-
ing, Rearing, and General Management of Forest Trees. 4th edition.
Thick 8vo. 137 wood-cuts. London and Edinburgh : 1871.

Laslett, Thomas. Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign. Small
8vo. 34 wood-cuts. London : 1875.

Edinburgh Botanical Society's Transactions. Vols. 1-12. 8vo. Many plates.
Edinburgh: 1844-1876.

Highland and Agricultural Society's Transactions. 4th series. "Vols. 1-9.
8vo. Edinburgh, 1866-77. [Continuation of the Prize Essays of
the Highland Society.]

Country Gentleman. Vols. 1-14. 4to. Albany, 1853-59.

American Agriculturist. Vols. 1-8, 10. 9 vols. 8vo. 12-14, 16, 17. 5 vols.
4to. New York, 1842-58.

Gardener's Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette. 1855, '56, '57, '59. 4 vols.
Folio. London.

Williamson, John. Ferns of Kentucky. Small 8vo. 66 plates, with wood-
cuts. Louisville : 1878.

Smith, John, A. L. S. Historia Filicum. Small 8vo. 30 lithographic plates.
London: 1875.

Robinson, John. Ferns in Their Homes and Ours. Small 8vo. 22 plates.
Salem, 1878.

Waring, George E., Jr. Village Improvements and Farm Villages. 16mo.
16 wood-cuts. Boston : 1878.

Egleston, Nathaniel Hillyer. Villages and Village Life, with Hints for their
Improvement. Small 8vo. New York : 1878.

Miller, Philip, F. R. S. Figures of the most Beautiful, Useful, and Uncom-
mon Plants, described in the Gardener's Dictionary, with Descrip-
tions, etc. 2 vols. Folio. 300 colored plates. London : 1771.

Robinson, William, F, L. S. The Parks and Gardens of Paris. 2d ed.
8vo. Many wood-cuts. London : 1878.

Pulteney, Richard, M. D., F. R. S. A General View of the Writings of
Linnaeus, with Memoir, etc. 2d edition. 4to. Portraits and other
plates. London : 1805.

Prior, R. C. A., M. D. Popular Names of British Plants. Small Svo.
London: 1870.

Tillinghast, Isaac F. A Manual of Vegetable Plants. Thin 12mo. Factory-
ville, Pa. : 1878.

Wallace, Alfred R. Tropical Nature, and other Essays. Large Svo.
London: 1878.

Tanner, Henry, F. C. S. First Principles of Agriculture. 16mo. London :
1878,

Nichols, James R., M. D. Chemistry of the Farm and Sea, etc. 12mo.
New York. No glate. [1875?]

Thomas, John J. Annual Register of Rural Affairs. Vol. 8. 1876, 7, 8.
Small Svo. 441 wood-cuts. Albany : 1878.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE. 227

United States Centennial Commission. International Exhibition, 1876. Re-
ports and Awards. Groups VI., XXIII., XXIX., XXXVI. 8vo,
Philadelphia: 1877, 78.

Books and Pamphlets Presented.

Meehan, Thomas. The Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States. Vol.

1. Imp. 8vo. 48 colored plates. Boston: 1878. L. Prang & Co.
Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie. Les Fleurs de Pleine Terre, etc. 3d edition.

Large 12mo., nearly 1300 wood-cuts. Paris: 1870. Vilmorin, Andrieux

et Cie.
Vilmorin's Atlas of Flowers. English edition of Atlas de Fleurs de Pleine

Terre. Small 8vo. 1128 wood-cuts. Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie.
Illustrirte Blumengartnerei. 8vo. 1235 wood-cuts. Berlin : 1873.

Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie.
Victoria Regia. Four water color paintings, with manuscript description,

etc. Francis Parkman.
Hough, Franklin B. Report on Forestry ; prepared under the direction of the

Commissioner of Agriculture. 8vo. Washington : 1878. W. G.

LeDuc, Commissioner.
Sargent, C. S. Notes on Trees and Tree Planting. 8vo. pamphlet. Boston :

1878. The Author.
Barney, E. E. Facts and Information in relation to the Catalpa Tree. 8vo.

pamphlet. Dayton, Ohio : 1878.
Robinson, John. The Pine, its Life and Importance in Essex County. [From

the Bulletin of the Essex Institute, July-September, 1878.] 8vo.

pamphlet. The Author.
. Ferns in their Homes and Ours. Small 8vo., 22 plates,

Salem : 1878. The Author.
Davenport, George E. Aspidium Spinulosum (Swartz) and its Varieties

8vo. pamphlet. [From the American Naturalist, November, 1878.]

The Author.
• . Notes on Botrychium Simplex. 4to. pamphlet. 1877. John

Robinson.
List of the Native and Exotic Ferns in the Greenhouses and Grounds of J.

Warren Merrill, at Cambridge, Mass. 8vo. pamphlet. Boston : 1878.

J. W. Merrill.
Plans of Flower Gardens, Beds, Borders, Roseries, and Aquariums. By Con-
tributors to the Journal of Horticulture. 8vo. 72 wood-cuts. London :

no date. W. O. Ross.
Pearson, J. R. Vine Culture under Glass. 16mo., wood-cuts. London : 1867.

W. O. Ross.
Atwater, Prof. W. O. Potash in Agriculture. Svo. pamphlet. The Author.
Thomas, Flavel S., A. M., M. D., etc. Lectures on the Science of Agricul-
ture. Svo. pamphlet. Salem : 1876. 3 copies. Naturalist's Agency.
Sturtevant, Dr. E. Lewis. Intercultural Tillage. 8vo. pamphlet. The Author
Ernst, A. Estudios Sobre las Deformaciones, Enfermedades, y Enemigos

del Arbol de Cafe en Venezuela. 4to. pamphlet. Caracas : 1878.

George E. Davenport.

228 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

Dearborn, Gen. H. A. S. ; Twenty-nine Manuscript Letters to. 1816-1850.
J. Coburn.

Ohio Horticultural Society; Eleventh Annual Eeport, 1877-78. 8vo. pamph-
let. Columbus: 1878. M. B. Bateham, Secretary.

Wisconsin Horticultural Society ; Transactions at Meetin.^s, June, 1877, and
February, 1878. 8vo. Madison : 1878. F. W. Case, Secretary.

New Jersey Horticultural Society ; Proceedings at the Third Annual Meet-
ing ; New Bi'unswick, February, 1878. 8vo. pamphlet. E. Williams,
Secretary.

Worcester County Horticultural Society ; Transactions for 1877. 8vo. pam-
phlet. Worcester : 1878. E. W. Lincoln, Secretary.

Western New York Horticultural Society ; Proceedings at the Twenty-third
Annual Meeting, Eochester, January, 1878. 8vo. pamphlet. Rochester :
1878. P. C. Reynolds, Secretary.

Bulletin de la Societe Centrale d'Horticulture du Department de la Seine-
Inferieure. Vol. 19; and Parts 1-3, of Vol. 20. 8vo. Rouen: 1877, 78.
The Society.

Michigan Pomological Society ; Seventh Annual Report of the Secretary, for
1877. 8vo. Lansing: 1878. C. W. Garfield, Secretary.

Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Society ; Report for 1877. 8vo. pamphlet. 5
plates. Harrisburg : 1878. 2 copies. E. B. Engle, Secretary.

Ontario Fruit Growers' Association; Report for 1877, and Report of the Ento-
mological Society for 1877. 8vo. pamphlet. Toronto : 1878. D. W.
Beadle, Secretaiy.

Bussey Institution Bulletin. Vol. 2, Part 3. 8vo. pamphlet. Boston : 1878.
C. S. Sargent.

New York Department of Public Parks ; Third Annual Report of the Board
of Commissioners. May 1, 1872, to December 31, 1873. F. Becker,
Jr.

Fairmount Park Commissioners' Annual Report for 1877. 8vo. Plates.
Philadelphia: 1878. The Commissioners.

Chicago South Park Commissioners' Report to the Board of County Commis-
sioners of Cook County, Illinois, from December 1st, 1876, to Decem-
ber 1st, 1877. 8vo. pamphlet. Photographs. Chicago : 1878. 2 copies.
H. W. Harmon, Secretary.

Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture; Transactions, New Scries,
Vol. I. 8vo. Boston: 1858.

Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry ; Trans-
actions, 1858-71. 14 pamphlets. 8vo. Providence : 1859-1872. J. S.
Pitman, Secretary.

Essex Agricultural Society; Transactions for 1877. 8vo. pamphlet. Salem:
1877. 2 copies. B. P. Ware, President.

Bristol County Agricultural Society; Report for 1877. 8vo. pamphlet.
Taunton : 1878. D. L. Mitchell, Secretary.

Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society; Transactions for 1877.
8vo. pamphlet. 1878.

Iowa State Agricultural Society; Reports of the Secretary for 1876 and 1877.
2 vols. 8vo. Des Moines : 1878. J. R. Shaffer, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE. 229

New Hampshire Board of Agriculture ; Eeports, Vols. 4, 5, and 6. 3 vols.
8vo. Concord : 1874-76. Centennial Papers. One Hundred Years'
Progress, and Reports and Addresses relative to the Centennial Exhibi-
tion, 1876. 8vo. pamphlet. Wood-cuts. Concord : 1877. James O.
Adams, Secretary.

Vermont Board of Agriculture ; Fourth Report for the year 1877, and Eighth
Annual Report of the Secretary of the Vermont Dairymen's Association.
8vo. Montpelier : 1877. Henry M. Seeley, Secretary.

Massachusetts Board of Agriculture ; Twenty-iifth Annual Report of the Sec-
retary, for 1877-78, with Index to the volumes from 1853 to 1877.
Boston : 1878. C. L. Flint, Secretary.

Connecticut Board of Agriculture ; Eleventh Report of the Secretary, 1877-78.
8vo. Hartford : 1878. T. S. Gold, Secretary.

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; First Annual Report, 1876.
8vo. pamphlet. Hartford : 1877. Prof. W. 0. Atwater.

Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture ; First Annual Report, for the year 1877.
8vo. plates. Harrisbupg : 1878. Thomas J. Edge, Secretary.

North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture; Fourth Quarterly Report,
April 16, 1878. 8vo. pamphlet. Raleigh: 1878. L. L. Polk, Com-
missioner.

Report on the General Condition of the Agricultural Interests of North
Carolina. From returns made to the Department of Agriculture,
March, 1878. 8vo. pamphlet. L. L. Polk, Commissioner.

Sugar Beet, Experiments with, in North Carolina. Report by Albert R.
Ledoux, Ph. D., Chemist to' the Department of Agriculture, etc. 8vo.
pamphlet. Raleigh : 1878. L. L. Polk, Commissioner.

Analysis and Valuation of Fertilizers for 1877 and 1878 ; reported by Dr.
Albert R. Ledoux. 8vo. pamphlet. Raleigh: 1878. L. L. Polk,
Commissioner.

Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture ; Fourth and Fifth Annual Reports for
1877. 2 pamphlets. 8vo. Atlanta : 1878. Thomas P. Janes, Com-
missioner.

Result of the Soil Test of Fertilizers for the year 1877; conducted under
the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of
Georgia : also, Analyses of Fertilizers sold in Georgia. 8vo. pamphlet.
Atlanta : 1878. T. P. Janes, Commissioner.

The Farmer's Scientific Manual ; prepared under the direction of Thomas P.
Janes, Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia. 8vo. 29
wood-cuts. Atlanta : 1878. The Commissioner.

Janes, T. P. A Manual of Georgia, for use of Capitalists and Immigrants.
8vo. pamphlet. Atlanta : 1878. The Author.

Michigan Board of Agriculture ; Sixteenth Annual Report of the Secretary,
for 1877. 8vo. Lansing : 1878. R. G. Baird, Secretary.

Indiana Board of Agriculture ; Twenty-Seventh Annual Report, for 1877. 8vo.
Indianapolis ; 1878. Alex. Heron, Secretary.

Illinois Department of Agriculture ; Transactions for 1876. Vol. 6, New
Series. 8vo. Springfield : 1878. S. D. Fisher, Secretary.

230 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Missouri Board of Agriculture; 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, and
11th Annual Reports, for 1865, '66, '67, '68, '69, '70, '72, '74, and '75.
9 vols. 8vo. Jefferson City 1867-1876. Also, 1st, 2d, and 10th
Reports in German, for 1872, '73, and '74. 3 thick pamphlets. 8vo.
Jefferson City : 1872-75. Isidor Bush.

Kansas Board of Agriculture ; Fifth Annual Report, 1876. 8vo. Maps and
diagrams. Topcka : 1877. Alfred Gray, Secretary.

Massachusetts Agricultural College ; Fifteenth Annual Report. 8vo. pamphlet.
Boston: 1878. C L. Flint, Secretary State Board of Agriculture.

Michigan Agricultural College ; Twenty-First Annual Catalogue, for 1877.
8vo. pamphlet. Lansing : 1877.

American "Veterinary College, No. 141 West Fifty-Fourth Street, New York ;
Fourth Annual Announcement, Session 1878-79. 8vo. pamphlet. New
York; 1878.

Cornell University Register and Catalogue, 1877-78. Small 8vo. pamphlet.
Ithaca : 1878. W. R. Lazenby.

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College ; Report
of the Board of Supervisors, Session 1877-78. Svo. pamphlet. New
Orleans : 1878. D. F. Boyd, President of the Faculty.

Woodruff Scientific Expedition Around the World; Programme. Svo.
pamphlet.

Boston Society of Natural History ; Memoirs. Vol. 2, Part 4, No. 6. 4to.
pamphlet. Proceedings. Vol. 19. Part 2. 8vo. pamphlet. The
Society.

Massachusetts Board of Health; Eighth Annual Report for 1876. Svo.
Boston: 1877.

American Antiquarian Society; Proceedings, Nos. 70 and 71. 2 pamphlets.
Svo. Worcester : 1878. The Society.

Missouri Board of Immigration ; First Report, for 1865 and 1866. With the
First Report of the Commissioners of Statistics for 1866. Svo. Jeffer-
son City : 1867. Also, duplicate of the latter. Thick, Svo. pamphlet.
Jefferson City: 1866. Isidor Bush.

Missouri Geological Survey, 1855-71, 1872, 1873-74. 3 vols. Svo. Maps
and plates. Jefferson City : 1873-4. Also, two large Atlases accom-
panying. Isidor Bush.

Periodicals Takex.

English. — Gardeners' Chronicle,
Gardener's Magazine.

Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener.
The Garden.

(Curtis' Botanical Magazine.
Floral Magazine.
Florist and Pomologist.
Floral World.
Journal of the Linnean Society.

EEPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE. 231

Journal of Botany.

Country Gentleman's Magazine.

Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society.

Journal of Forestry.

Field and Forest.
French. — Revue Horticole.

Revue des Eaux et Forets.
Belgian. — Illustration Horticole.

Flore des Serres.

Belgique Horticole.
German. — Botanische Zeitung.
American. — Country Gentleman.

American Farmer.

Periodicals Presented.

New England Farmer.

Massachusetts Ploughman.

American Cultivator.

Scientific Farmer.

American Agriculturist.

Gardener's Monthly.

Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine.

Bulletino della R. Societa Toscana di Orticultura.

Southern California Horticulturist.

American Garden.

American Rural Home.

Maine Farmer.

Prairie Farmer.

Maryland Farmer.

Semi-Tropical.

Western Agriculturist.

Bulletin of the Essex Institute.

Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club.

Botanical Gazette.

New York Weekly Tribune.

New York Semi-Weekly Times.

Rhode Island Press.

Boston Evening Transcript.

Boston Daily Globe.

Daily Evening Traveller.

Boston Morning Journal.

Boston Daily Advertiser.

The Nursery.

The Cottage Hearth.

Familiar Science and Fancier's Journal,

TREASURER'S REPORT,

FOR THE YEAR 1878.

ITEMS OF INCOME.

Balance of Cash on hand, ....

Received for Rent of Stores,
'' . " " " Halls,
" " Admissions and Assessments,
" from William Gray, Jr., to pay Prizes,
" Interest on Bonds, C. B. & Q. R. R.,

Gross Receipts of Annual Exhibition,

Received from estate of B. V. French,
" " Mount Auburn Cemetery,

ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE.

$425 93

8,185 59

6,765 68

658 00

80 00

105 00

229 50

2,511 13

1,679 68

Salaries, .....

. $3,525 00

Library accessions (Stickney fund).

700 22

"• " Periodicals and Bindir

ig, 218 42

Heating and Water (less paid by tenants), 281 22

Printing, .....

839 42

Stationery and Postage,

158 31

Gas, ......

945 07

Repairs on Building,

125 29

Furniture, and Repairs,

74 82

Fixtures, " " . .

80 46

Taxes,

2,909 51

Interest, .....

3,691 42

Testimonial to Ex-President Parkman,

100 00

Portrait of President Gray,

200 00

Expenses of Annual Exhibition,

197 18

Amount carried forward.

$14,046 34

),640 51

i

treasurer's report. 233

Amounts brought forward, Sl4,046 34 $20,640 51

Entertainment of Committee of Arrangements, 226 30
Expended by the Committee on Publication

and Discussion, . . . . • 95 00

Legal Services,
Labor and Incidentals, .
Balance of Prizes for 1877,
Deposited to pay l^rizes of 1878,
Balance carried to new account,

Boston, Januarj^ 15, 1879.
E. W. BuswELL, Treasurer:

Sir, — We have examined the books and accounts of the Society
as rendered by you, and find them correct and entirely satisfactory.

C. O. Whitmore,

H. H. HUNNEWELL,

B. p. Cheney,

105

00

597

37

1.251

89

4,000

00

318

61

^•^0 610

51

Finance
Committee.

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.

Assets.

Eeal Estate, Furniture, and Exhibition Ware, costing $256,585 56

Library, last j^ear, .... $17,148 81

Added this year, . . . . 918 64

18,067 45

Bonds of C. B. & Q. R. R., par value, . . 1,500 00

Total, $276,153 01

Liabilities.

Mortgage debt at 5^ per cent., payable

September, 1883, ". . . . $60,000 00

Loan without interest, paj'able to Harvard

College in 1899, .... 12,000 00

Note to Market National Bank, . . 12,000 00

$84,000 00

Balance of assets over liabilities, . . $192,153 01

16

234

MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY.

By last report our members numbered
Viz : Life members, . . 581

Added by election, . 3
" " commutation, 1

— 4

953

Deceased,

Annual members.
Added,

Commuted, .... 1

Deceased, .... 6

Withdrawn, ... 1
Discontinued for non-payment

of dues, .... 50

585

372
9

381

58

Income from the above :

3 Life,

$90 00

1 Commutation, .

20 00

9 Annual, .

90 00

229 Assessments,

458 00

577

323

900

$658 00

The depression in business which has so long and universallj''
pervaded the community, has taken us in its course, and admonished
us to observe the strictest economy in all our expenditures. The
warning has not passed unheeded. Our few sources of income
have been watched and nursed with due care and consideration,
letting pass no opportunit}^ to add in any measure to our resources.
The stores have been kept up to the full standard of rent, consistent
with occupancy, and are now all tenanted except one ; that, I hope,
soon will be. The halls have been in fair demand at reduced rates ;
Mount Auburn Cemetery has yielded little more than last year, and
membership account less.

With these probabilities in view, j-our Committees recommended

TREASURER'S REPORT. 235

smaller appropriations, salaries were reduced, and the strictest
economy has been practised in carrj'ing on our work. Neverthe-
less, but for the amount received from the French estate, we must
have added to our indebtedness. In view of this condition, salaries
and appropriations have been still further reduced, in the hope of
being able to make expenditures on the building which cannot well
be longer dela3'ed. The whole interior needs rejuvenation, and the
wood, iron, and brick work of the roof and exterior need painting
to prevent actual loss. The necessity of more space for the library
demands earlj^ attention, as a subject which must necessarily
involve expeus§.at no distant da}-. A well prepared history- of the
Society, from its beginning, awaits publication. Such interest is
manifested in the work as to warrant the belief that a small edition
may be printed and sold, without material detriment to our finances.

In this connection, I am reminded of the Semi-Ceutennial year
of our existence. I wish we were in such circumstances as would
enable us to celebrate the event in a manner commensurate with its
great importance, and in the spirit of the age ; but when material
and absolute interests are jeopardized, it behooves us to act with
care, and leave the expense to be met b}- the public spirit of
individual members.

The decrease of our membership calls for careful consideration.
If, as intimated in my last report, the cause is to be found in the
facility with which non-members may avail themselves of the benefit
accruing to members, the remedy is plainlj^ before you. I would
suggest an alteration in our By-Laws which shall make prizes availa-
ble to members only, as of old time. Our libraiy, rich in horti-
cultural lore, is, and always has been, free for consultation here,
while members may withdraw books under the rules. To me this
seems fair and generous to the public.

Respectfully submitted,

E. W. BUSWELL, Treasurer.
January 18, 1879.

236

IMASSACHUSETTS HOliTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

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MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY. 237

Massachusetts Horticultural Society,

To the Proprietors of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn, Dr.
For one-fourth part of the following expenditures for grading lands during

1878:

Stone Farm,.
137| days, men,
63| " man and horse,

Vernoniii Path.
%\ days, men,
lOi " man and horse.

Fountain Avenue.
409| days, men,
148i " man and horse.

One-fourth part.
Mount Auburn, Dec. 31, 1878.

I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of accounts of improvements for
the year 1878, rendered by the Superintendent.

H. B. Mackintosh, Treasurer.

$240 19
191 25

$431 44
45 94
1,162 56

14 44

31 50

717 06
445 50

$1,639 94

#409 98

J. W. LOVERING, Supt.

pHssatjjiisctts ^0rtkuItiiraI Bmi^,

OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1879.

President.
WILLIAM GRAY, Jr., of Boston.

Vice-Presidents.

CHARLES O. WHITMORE, of Boston. CHARLES H. B. BRECK, of Brighton.
H. WELD FULLER, of Boston. JOHN C. HOVEY, of Cambridge.

Treasurer.
EDWIN W. BUSWELL, of Boston.

Secretary.
ROBERT MANNING, of Salem.*

Recording Secretary.
ROBERT MANNING, of Salem.

Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology.
JOHN ROBINSON, of Salem.

Professor of Entomology.
SAMUEL H. SCUDDER, of Cambridge.

0tai}ding doii\ir\ittee^ :

Execiitive.

The President, WILLIaM GRAY, Jr., Chairman. '

The Ex-Presidents, MARSHALL P. WILDER, CHARLES M. HOVEY, JAMES

E. C. HYDE, WILLIAM C. STRONG, FRANCIS PARKMAN; Chairman

OF Finance Committee, C. O. WHITMORE; FEARING BURR,

A. T. PERKINS, HERVEY DAVIS, F. L. AMES.

* Communications for Hie Secretary, on the business of the Society, should be addressed to him at
Horticultural Hall, Boston.

OFFICERS AND STANDING COilMITTEES FOR 1879. 239

Finance.

CHARLES O. WHITMORE, Chairman.
H. HOLLIS HUNNEWELL, BENJAMIN P. CHENEY.

Publication and Discussion.

WILLIAM C. STRONG, Chairman.
A. B. MUZZEY, E. LEWIS STURTEVANT.

Establishing' Prizes.

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS, Chairman.

CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES ON FLOWERS, VEGETABLES, AND GARDENS.

C. M. ATKINSON, P. BROWN HOVEY, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF

THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Library.

WILLIAM E. ENDICOTT, Chairman.

HENRY P. WALCOTT, FRANCIS H. APPLETON,

J. D. W. FRENCH, ROBERT MANNING.

THE PROFESSOR OF BOTANY AND HORTICULTURAL PHYSIOLOGY.

THE PROFESSOR OF ENTOMOLOGY.

Gardens.

JOSEPH H. WOODFORD, Chairman.
CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES ON FRUITS, FLOWERS, AND VEGETABLES.
GEORGE S. HARWOOD, HENRY ROSS, JOHN G. BARKER. ,

Fruit.

JOHN B. MOORE, Chairman.
P. BROWN HOVEY, BENJAMIN G. SMITH, J. W. MANNING,

E. W. WOOD, CHARLES F. CURTIS, O. B. HADWEN.

Plants and Flowers.

WILLIAM H. SPOOXER, Chairman.
E. H. HITCHINGS, JAMES COMLEY, GEORGE CRAFT,

PATRICK NORTON, F. L. HARRIS, JAMES NUGENT.

Vegetables.

CHARLES N. BRACKETT, CHAIRMAN.
JOSIAH CROSBY, JOHN FILLEBROWN, SAMUEL HARTWELL,

WALTER RUSSELL, GEORGE W. PIERCE, CHARLES E. GRANT.

Committee of Arrangements.

CHARLES H. B. BRECK, Chairman.
CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES ON FRUITS, FLOWERS, VEGETABLES, AND

GARDENS.
GEORGE W. PIERCE, JOHN C. HOVEY, M. H. MERRIAM,

GEORGE HILL, C. M. ATKINSON, E. W. WOOD,

HERVEY DAVIS, EDWIN A. HALL.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

A * denotes the member deceased.

^Benjamin Abbott, LL. D., Exeter, N. H.
*JoHN Abbott, Brunswick, Me.

*HoN. John Quinct Adams, LL. D., late President of the United States.
*Prof. Louis Agassiz, Cambridge.

*WiLLiAM T. AiTON, late Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew.
Thomas Allen, Ex-President of the St. Louis Horticultural Society, St.

Louis, Mo., and Pittsfield, Mass.
*HoN. Samuel Appleton, Boston.
*HoN. James Arnold, New Bedford.
*Edward Nathaniel Bancroft, M. D., late President of the Horticultural

and Agricultural Society of Jamaica.
*HoN. Philip P. Barbour, Virginia.

*Robert Barclay, Bury Hill, Dorking, Surrey, England.
*James Beekman, New York.
*L'Abbe Berlese, Paris.
*NicHC>LAS Biddle, Philadelphia.
*Dr Jacob Bigelow, Boston.
*Mrs. Bigelow, Medford.
*Le Chevalier Soulange Bodin, late Secretaire-General de la Societe

d'Horticulture de Paris.
Hon. George S. Boutwell, Groton.
*Josiah Braklee, Boston.
*HoN. George N. Briggs, Pittsfield.

*Hon. James Buchanan, late President of the United States.
*Jesse Buel, late President of the Albany Horticultural Society.
*HoN. Edmund Burke, late Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.
*Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, Geneva.
Hon. Horace Capron, Ex-U. S. Commissioner of Agriculture, Washington,

D. C.
*IsAAC Chauncey, U. S. Navy, Brooklyn, N. Y.
*Lewis Clapier, Philadelphia.
*HoN. Henry Clay, Kentucky.

H. W. S. Cleveland, Chicago, HI.
* Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin, Bart., England.
*Zaccheus Collins, late President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,

Philadelphia.
*RoswELL L. Colt, Paterson, N. J.
Caleb Cope, Ex-President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society,

Philadelphia.

HONORARY MEMBERS. 241

♦William Coxe, Burlington, N. J.

*JoHN P. Gushing, Watertown.

*Charle8 W. Dabney, late U. S. Consul, Fayal.

*HoN. John Davis, LL. D., Boston. ^

*SiR Humphry Davy, London.

*Gen. H. a. S. Dearborn, Roxbury.

*James Dickson, late Vice-President of the London Horticultural Society.

*Mrs. Dorothy Dix, Boston.

*Capt. Jesse D. Elliot, U. S. Navy.

*HoN. Stephen Elliot, LL. D., Charleston, S. C.

*Allyn Charles Evanson, St. John, N. B., late Secretary of the King's

County Agricultural Society.
*Hon. Edward Everett, LL. D., Boston.
*HoN. Horace Everett, Vermont.

*F. Falderman, late Curator of the Imperial Botanic Garden, St. Petersburg.
*Hon. Millard Fillmore, late President of the United States.
*Dr. F. E. Fischer, late Professor of Botany ai the Imi^erial Garden, St.

Petersburg.
*HoN. Theodore Frelinghuysen, late President of the American Agri-
cultural Society.
*Joseph Gales, Jr., late Vice-President of the Horticultural Society, Wash-
ington, D. C.
*George Gibbs, New York.
♦Stephen Girard, Philadelphia.

*HoN. Robert H. Goldsborough, Talbot County, Maryland.
*Ephraim Goodale, South Orrington, Maine.
*Mrs. Rebecca Gore, Waltham.
*HoN. John Greig, late President of the Domestic Horticultural Society,

Canandaigua, N. Y.
*Mrs. Mary Griffith, Charlies Hope, N. J.

*Gen. William Henry Harrison, late President of the United States.
*S. P. Hildreth, M. D., Marietta, O.

♦Thomas Hopkirk, late President of the Glasgow Horticultural Society.
♦David Hosack, M. D., late President of the New York Horticultural Society.
♦Louis Hunt, Huntsburg, 0.
♦Joseph R. Ingersoll, late President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural

Society, Philadelphia.
♦Gen. Andrew Jackson, late President of the United States.
♦Mrs. Martha Johonnot, Salem.
'♦Jared Potter Kirtland, LL. D., East Rockport, O.
♦Thomas Andrew Knight, late President of the London Horticultural

Society.
♦Gen. La Fayette, La Grange, France.
Le Comte db Lasteyrie, Vice-President of the Horticultural Society of

Paris.
A. H. Latour, M. p., 1396 St. Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada.
♦Baron Justus Liebig, Giessen, Germany.
17

242 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

*Prof. John Lindley, late Secretary of the London Horticultural Society.

Franklin Litchfield, U. S. Consul at Puerto Cabello.
*JosHnA LoNGSTRETH, Philadelphia.
*NiCHOLAS LoNGAVORTH, Cincinnati.

*Jacob Lorillard, late President of the New York Horticultural Society.
*JoHN C. Loudon, London.

John A. Lowell, Boston.
*Baron H. Carol Von Ludwig, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope.
*HoN. Theodore Lyman, Brookline.

Col. Theodore Lyman, Brookline.
*HoN. James Madison, late President of the United States.
*Mrs. Charlotte Marryatt, Wimbledon, near London.

Joseph Maxwell, Rio Janeiro.

D. Smith McCauley, U. S. Consul-Gcneral, Tripoli.
*fIoN. Isaac McKim, late President of the Horticultural Society of Maryland.

Rev. James H. Means, Dorchester, Mass.

* James Mease, M. D., Philadelphia.
*Lewis John Mbntens, Brussels.
*HoN Charles F. Mercer, Virginia.
♦Francois Andre Michaux, Paris.

Donald G. Mitchell, New Haven, Ct.
*Samuel L. Mitchill, LL. D., New York.
*HoN. James Monroe, late President of the United States.
*A. N. MoRiN, Montreal, Canada.
*Theodore Mosselmann, Antwerp, Belgium.

*Alfred Munson, M. D., late President of the New Haven Horticultural
Society.

Baron Ottenfels, Austrian Minister to the Ottoman Porte.

John Palmer, Calcutta.
*HoN. Joel Parker, LL. D., Cambridge.

Samuel B. Parsons, Flushing, N. Y.
*HoN. Thomas H. Perkins, Brookline.

*A. PoiTEAU, late Professor in the Institut Horticole de Fromont.
*HoN. James K. Polk, late President of the United States.
*JoHN Hare Powel, Powelton, Pa.
*Henry Pratt, Philadelphia.

* William Prince, Flushing, N. Y.
*Rev. George Putnam, D. D., Roxbury.

*JoEL Rathbone, late President of the Albany and Rensselaer Horticultural
Society, Albany. •

*Archibald John, Earl of Roseberry, late President of the Caledonian

Horticultural Society.
*JosEPii Sabine, late Secretary of the London Horticultural Society.
*DoN Ramon de la Sagra, Cuba. J|

Henry Winthrop Sargent, Fishkill, N. Y. ^

*SiR Walter Scott.
'i'WiLLiAM Shaw, New York.

HONORARY MEMBERS. 243

*JoHN Shepherd, late Curator of the Botanic Garden, Liverpool.
*JoHN S. Skinner, Baltimore.

George W. Smith, Boston.
*Stephen H. Smith, late President of the Rhode Island Horticultural Society.

* Judge E. B. Strong, Rochester.
*HoN. Charles Scmner, Boston.

*Gen. Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States.
*HoN. John Taliaferro, Virginia.

*Gen. James Tallmadge, late President of the American Institute, New
York.

* James Thacher, M. D., Plymouth.
John J. Thomas, Union Springs, N. Y.

* James W. Thompson, M. D., Wilmington, Del.
*Grant Thorburn, New York.

*M. Du Petit Thouars, Paris, late President of the Institut Horticole de
Fromont.

*Le Vicomte Hericart de Thctrt, late President of the Horticultural So-
ciety of Paris.

*MoNS. TocGARD, late President of the Horticultural Society of Rouen,
France.

*Gen. Nathan Towson, late President of the Horticultural Society, Wash-
ington, D. C.

*CoL. W. Towson, late President of the Agricultural Society, Washington,
D. C.

*HoN. John Tyler, late President of the United States.

*Rev. .Toseph Tyso, Wallingford, England.

*HoN. Martin Van Buren, late President of the United States.

*Federal Vanderbcrg, M. D., New York.

*Jean Baptiste Van Mons, M. D., Brussels.

*Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer, Albany, N. Y.
Joseph R. Van Zandt, Albany, N. Y.

*Benjamin Vaughan, Hallowell, Me.

*Petty Vaughan, London.

*Rev. N. Villeneuve, Montreal,

*Pierre Phillippe Andre Vilmorin, Paris.

*James Wadsworth, Geneseo, N. Y.

*Nathaniel Wallich, M. D., late Curator of the Botanic Garden, Calcutta.

*Malthds a. Ward, late Professor in Franklin College, Athens, Ga.

*HoN. Daniel Webster, Marshfield.

*HoN. John Welles, Boston.

*Jeremiah Wilkinson, Cumberland, R. I.
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Boston.

*Frederick Wolcott, Litchfield, Conn.

*Lawrence Young, late President of the Kentucky Horticultural Society
Louisville.

*AsHTON Yates, Liverpool.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

A * denotes the members deceased.

*JoHN Adldm, Georgetown, D. C.
*MoNS. Alfroy, Lieusaint, France.

A. B. Allen, Tom's River, N. J.

James T. Allan, Ex-President of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society,
Omaha, Neb.

Eev. Thomas D. Anderson, New York.
*Thomas Appleton, late U. S. Consul, Leghorn.

Don Francisco Aguilar, Maldonado, Banda Oriental del Uruguay.
*Thomas Aspinwall late U. S. Consul at London, Brookline.

P. M. Augur, State Pomologist, Middlefield, Conn.
*Isaac Cox Baknet, late U. S. Consul, Paris.

Patrick Barry, Chairman of the General Fruit Committee of the American

Pomological Society, Rochester, N. Y.
*AuGUSTiNE Baumann, BolwiUcr, Alsace.
*EuGENE AcHiLLE Baumann, Bolwillcr, Alsace.
*JosEPH Bernard Baumann, Bolwiller, Alsace.

Napoleon Baumann, Bolwiller, Alsace.

D. W. Beadle, St. Catherine's, Canada West.

Prof. W. J. Beal, Lansing, Michigan.
*NoEL J. Becar, Brooklyn, N. Y.
*Edward Beck, AVorton College, Isleworth, near London.

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Peekskill, N. Y.

Louis £douard Berckmans, Rome, Ga.

Prosper J. Berckmans, Augusta, Ga.
*Alexandre Bivort, late Secretaire General de la Societe Van Mons, Fleu-

rus, Belgique.
*MoNS. Tripet Le Blanc, Paris.
*Charles D. Bragdon, Pulaski, Oswego Co., N. Y.
* William D. Brinckle, M. D., Philadelphia.
*JoHN W. Brown, Fort Gaines, Ga.

Dr. Nehemiah Brush, East Florida.

Arthur Bryant, Sr., Ex-President of the Illinois State Horti(;ultural So-
ciety, Princeton., 111.

Robert Buist, Philadelphia.
*E. W. Bull, Hartford, Conn.

Rev. Robert Burnet, President of the Ontario Fruit Growers' Association,
Hamilton, Canada West.

Alexander Burton, Cadiz.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. 245

IsiDOR Bush, Biishberg, Jefferson Co., Mo.

William Bull, Chelsea, England.

Gp:orge W. Campbell, Delaware, Ohio.
*Francis G. Carxes, New York.
*RoBERT Carr, Philadelphia.
*James Colvill, Chelsea, England.
*Rev. Henry Colman, Boston.

Benjamin E. Cotting, M. D. Boston.
*S. L. Dana, M. D., Lowell.

J. Decaisne, Professeur de Culture au Museum d' Histoire Naturelle, Jardin
des Plantes, Paris.
*James Deering, Portland, Me.

*H. F. DiCKEHUT.

*SiR C. Wentworth Dilke, Bart., London.
*HoN. Allen W. Dodge, Hamilton, Mass.

Kev. H. Honywood D'OMBRAiNjWestwell Vicarage, Ashford, Kent, England.

Charles Downing, Newburg, N. Y.

Parker Earle, Cobden, 111.

*F. R. Elliott, late Secretary of the American Pomological Society, Cleve-
land, Ohio.
*HoN. Henry L. Ellsworth, late Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

George Ellwanger, Rochester, N. Y.

George B. Emerson, LL. D., Winthrop.
*Ebenezer Emmons, M. D., Williamstown.
*A. H. Ernst, Cincinnati.
*Nathaniel Fellows, Cuba.
*Henry J. Finn, Newport, R. I.

*W. C. Flagg, late Secretary of the American Pomological Society, Moro, 111.
*Michael Floy, late Vice-President of the New York Horticultural Society,

New York City.
*John Fox, Washington, D. C.
*Hon. Russell Freeman, Sandwich.

Andrew S. Fuller, Ridgewood, N. J.

Henry Weld Fuller, Roxbury.

R. W. Furnas, President of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society,

Brownville, Neb.
*AuGUSTUs Gande, late President of the Horticultural Society, Department

of Sarthe, France.
*RoBERT H. Gardiner, Gardiner, Me.
*Benjamin Gardner, late U. S. Consul at Palermo.
*Capt. James P. Gerry, U. S. Navy.
♦Abraham P. Gibson, late U. S. Consul at St. Petersburg.
*R. Glendenning, Chiswick, near London.

Prof. George L. Goodale, Cambridge.

Prof. Asa Gray, Cambridge.

O. B. Hadwen, Ex-President of the Worcester County Horticultural Society,
Worcester.

246 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

*Charles Henry Hall, New York.
^Abraham Halsey, New York.

Dr. Charles C. Hamilton, President of the Fruit Growers' Association and
International Show Society of Nova Scotia, Cornwallis.
*Kev. Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D., Dorchester.
*Thaddeus William Harris, M. D., Cambridge.
*JoHN Hay', late Architect of the Caledonian Horticultural Society.
*Bernard Henry, Philadelphia.

Shirley Hibberd, Editor of the Gardener's Magazine, London.
*J. J. Hitchcock, Baltimore.

Egbert Hogg, LL. D., Editor of the Journal of Horticulture, London.
*Thomas Hogg, New York.

Thomas Hogg, New York.

J. C. Holding, Ex-Treasurer and Secretary of the Cape of Good Hope Agri-
cultural Society, Cape Town, Africa.

Kev. S. Eeynolds Hole, Caunton Manor, Newark, Nottinghamshire,
England.

EisHER Holmes, ShetReld, England.

Sir Joseph Hooker, K. C. S. L, Director of the Royal Botanic Garden,
Kew, England.

Josiah Hoopes, West Chester, Pa.

Prof. E. N Horsford, Cambridge.
*Sanford Howard, Chicago, 111.

Dr. William M. Howsley, President of the Kansas State Horticultural
Society, Leavenworth.
*IsAAC Hunter, Baltimore.
*IsAAC HuRD, Cincinnati, Ohio.

George Husmann, Sedalia, Pettis County, Mo.

Thomas. P. James, Cambridge.

Edward Jarvis, M. D., Dorchester.

William J. Johnson, M. D., Fort Gaines, Ga.

Samuel Kneeland, M. D., Boston.
*MoNS. Laffay, St. Cloud, near Paris, France.

David Landreth, Ex-Corresponding Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horti-
cultural Society, Bristol, Pa.

C. C. Langdon, Mobile, Alabama.
*Dr. William LeBaron, late State Entomologist, Geneva, 111.

G. F. B. Leighton, President of the Norfolk Horticultural and Pomological

Society, Norfolk, Va.
*E. S. H. Leonard, M. D., Providence.
*Andre Leroy, Author of the Dictionnaire de Pomologie, Angers, France.

J. Linden, Ghent, Belgium.

Hon. George Lunt, Boston.
*F. W. Macondray, San Francisco, Cal.
* James J. Mapes, LL. D., Newark, N. J.
*A. Mas, late President of the Horticultural Society, Bourg-en-Bresse, France.

Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, Editor of the Gardener's Chronicle, London.

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. 247

*James Maurt, late U. S. Consul, Liverpool.

T. C. Maxwell, Geneva, N. Y.
*James McNab, late Curator of the Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Thomas Meehan, Editor of the Gardener's Monthly, Germantown, Pa.
*Allen Melville, New York.

John Miller, M. D., Secretary of the Horticultural and Agricultural Society
of Jamaica.
*Stephen Mills, Flushing, N. Y.
*Charles M'Intosh, Dalkeith Palace, near Edinburgh.

J. E. Mitchell, Philadelphia.
*William S. M'Lean, New York,

GuisEPPE Monarchini, M. D., Canea, Isle of Candia.

£douard Morren, Editor of the Belgique Horticole, Liege, Belgium.
*HoRATio Newhall, M. J)., Galena, 111.
*David W. Offley, U. S. Agent, Smyrna.

James Ombrosi, U. S. Consul, Florence.
*JoHN J. Palmer, New York.
*ViCTOR Paquet, Paris.

*JoHN W. Parker, late U. S. Consul, Amsterdam.
*Andrew Parmentier, Brooklyn, N. Y.

William Paul, Waltham Cross, London, N.
*SiR Joseph Paxton, M. P., Chatsworth, England.
*JoHN L. Payson, late U. S. Consul, Messina.
*CoM. M. C. Perry, U. S. Navy.

*David Porter, late U. S. Charge d' Affiiires at the Ottoman Porte.
*Alfred S. Prince, Flushing, N. Y.
♦William R. Prince, Flushing, N. Y.

P. T. QuiNN, Newark, N. J.

Rev. Rushton Radclyffe, London, England.
*William Foster Redding. Baltimore, Md.

D. Redmond, Ocean Springs, Miss.

M. D. Reynolds, Schenectady, N. Y.
*JoHN H. Richards, M. D., Illinois.

Charles V. Riley, Entomologist, Washington, D. C.
*MoNS. J. RiNZ, Jr., Frankfort-on-the-Main.
*Thomas Rivers, Sawbridgeworth, Herts, England.

William Robinson, Editor of The Garden, London.
*Dr. J. Smyth Rogers, New York.
*Capt. William S. Rogers, U. S. Navy.

Bernard Rosier, M. D., Athens, Greece.
*Thomas Rotch, Philadelphia.
*George R. Russell, Roxbury.

John B. Russell, Newmarket, N. J.
*Rev. John Leavis Russell, Salem.

William Saunders, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.
*WiLLiAM Shaler, late U. S. Consul-General, Havana, Cuba.
*Caleb R. Smith, Burlington, N. J.

248 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

*Daniel D. Smith, Burlington, N. J.

*GiDEON B. Smith, late Editor of the American Farmer, Baltimore.

John Jay Smith, Germantown, Pa.
*HoRATio Sprague, late U. S. Consul, Gibraltar.

RoBEKT W. Starr, Port William, Nova Scotia.

Dr. John Stayman, Leavenworth, Kansas.
*Thomas H. Stevens, U. S. Navy, Middletown, Conn.

William F. Strangeway, British Secretary of Legation at Naples.

Dr. J. Strentzel, Martinez, Cal.
*James p. Sturgis, Canton.

William Summer, Pomaria, S. C.

Francis Summerest.
*Prof. Tenore, late Director of the Botanic Garden at Naples.
*J. B. Teschemacher, Boston.
*RoBERT Thompson, London.
*George C. Thorburn, New York.

Prof. George Thurber, Editor of the American Agriculturist, New York.

John Tilson, Jr., Edwardsville, Illinois.

Cav. Doct. Vincent Tinio, Director of the Botanic Garden at Palermo.
*Ldther Tucker, Editor of the Cultivator, Albany, N. Y.

Carey Tyso, Wallingford, England.
*Louis Van Houtte, Ghent, Belgium.
*Alexander Vattemare, Paris.
*Emilien de Wael, Antwerp, Belgium

John A. Warder, M. D., President of the Ohio State Horticultural Society,
Cleves, 0.

Anthony Waterer, Knapp Hill, near Woking, Surrey, England.
*J. Ambrose Wight, Editor of the Prairie Farmer, Chicago, 111.

Benjamin Samuel Williams, HoUoway, London, N.

Prof. John Wilson, Edinburgh University, Scotland.
♦William Wilson, New York.
*CoL. J. F. WiNGATE, Bath, Me.
*JosHUA WiNGATE, Portland.
*Joseph Augustus Winthrop, Charleston, South Carolina.

MEMBERS FOR LIFE.

Change of residence, or any inaccuracies, sliould be promptly reported to tlie Secretary,

Adams, George E.,
Albro, Charles,
Alger, K. F.,
Ames, F. L.,
Ames, F. M.,
Ames, George,
Ames, P. A.
Amory, Charles,
Amory, Frederick,
Amory, James S.,
Anderson, Alexander,
Andrews, Charles L.,
Andrews, Frank W.,
Andrews, W. T.,
Andros, Milton,
Appleton, Edward,
Appleton, Francis H.,
Appleton, Wm. S.,
Atkins, Elisha,
Avery, Edward,
Ayer, Adams,
Ayling, Isaac,

Bacon, George,
Bailey, Edwin C,
Baker, Wm. E.
Bancroft, J. C,
Banfield, F. L.,
Barnard, Rev, C. F.,
Barnard, James M.,
Barnard, R. M.,
Barnes, Walter S.,
Barnes, Wm. H.,
Barney, Levi C,
Barratt, James,
Barrows, Thomas,
Bartlett, E.,
18

Medford.

Taunton.

Hinsdale.

Easton.

Canton.

Boston.

Brookline.

Boston.

Hingham.

Swampscott.

Boston.

Brookline.

Reading.

Peahody.

Boston.

Belmont.

Boston.

Brookline.
Concord, N. H.
Boston.
Milton.
Boston.

Everett.

Somerville.

Boston.

Cambridge.

Dedham.

Newburyport.

Bates, Amos,
Bates, Caleb,
Bayley, John P.,
Beal, Alexander,
Beckford, D. R., Jr.,
Bell, Joseph H,,
Bemis, Emery,
Berry, James,
Bickford, Weare D.,
Birchard, Charles,
Black, J. W.,
Blagg, Samuel
Blanchard, J. W.,
Blaney, Henry,
Blinn, R. D.,
Bocher, F.,
Bockus, C. E,,
Bond, George W.,
Borland, J. N.,
Botume, John,
Bowker, Wm. H.,
Bouve, Thomas T.,
Bowditch, A. C,
Bowditch,J. Ingersoll,
Bowditch, Wm. E.,
Brackett, C. H.,
Brackett, C. N.,
Bradish, L. J.
Bragg, S. A. B.,
Breed, Andrews,
Breed, Henry A.,
Bresee, Albert,
Brewer, John Reed,
Brewer, Otis,
Brigham, W. T.,
Bright, Jona. B.',
Bright, William E.,

Hingham.

Kingston.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Dadham.

Quincy.

Grantville.

Boston.

AUston.

Arlington.

Boston.

Newbern,

Boston.

Brookline.

Lexington.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Stoneham.
Boston.

Somerville.
Boston.

N. C.

Brighton.

Newton.

Boston.

Mattapan.

Lancaster,

Lynn.

Hortonville, Vt.

Boston.

Waltham.

250

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY.

Brimmer, Martin,
Brintnall, Benj.,
Brooks, Francis,
Brooks, J. W.,
Brooks, Peter C,
Brown, Charles E.,
Brown, Edward J.,
Brown, G. Barnard,
Brown, George B.,
Brown, Jacob,
Brownell, E. S.,
Bruce, N. F.,
Bullard, Wm. S.,
Burnett, Josepli,
Burnham,T. O.H.P.,
Burr, Fearing,
Burr, Matthew H.,
Buswell, E. W.,
Buswell, Frank E.,
Butler, Aaron,
Butterfield, Wm. P.,

Cadness, John,
Cains, William,
Calder, A. P. ,
Capen, John,
Carlton, Samuel A.,
Carruth, Charles,
Carruth, Nathan,
Carter, Miss Sabra,
Chamberlain, C. W.,
Chandler, J. G.,
Chapin, N. G.,
Chapman, Edward,
Chase, A. J.,
Chase, Daniel E.,
Chase, Hezekiah S.,
Chase, William M.,
Cheney, B. P.,
Child, F. J.,
Child, William C,
Childs, Francis,
Childs, N. E.,
Claflin, Henry,
Claflin, William,
Clapp, Edward B.,
Clapp, E. W.,

Boston.

Medford.

Milton.

Boston.

Yarmouth, N.S,

Brookline.

Boston.

Woburn.

Essex Junc.,Vt,

Stoneham.

Boston.

Southborough.

Boston.

Hingham.

Boston.

Wakefield.
Arlington.

Flushing, N. Y.
South Boston.
Boston.

Somerville.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Wilmington.

Arlington.

Lancaster.

Brookline.

Arlington.

Lynn.

Somerville.

Boston.

Worcester.

Boston.

Cambridge.

Medford.

Charlestown.

Dorchester.

Brighton.

Newton.

Dorchester.

Walpole.

Clapp, J. H.,
Clajip, Lemuel,
Clapp, William C,
Clark, Orus,
Clark, W. L.,
Clark, William S.,
Clarke, Miss Cora H.,
Clay, Henry,
Cleaiy, Lawrence,
Clement, Asa,
Cleveland, Ira,
Cobb, Albert A.,
Coburn, Isaac E.,
Codman, James M.,
Codman, Ogden,
Coffin, G. Winthrop,
Coffin, WilliaTiiE.,
Converse, E. S.,
Coolidge, Joshua,
Copeland, Franklin,
Cox, George P.,
Coy, Samuel I.,
Craft, George,
Crocker, Uriel,
Crosby, Josiah,
Crowell, Philander,
Crowell, R. H.,
Cruickshanks, James
Cummings, John,
Curtis, Charles F.,
Curtis, George S.,
Cushing, J. G.,
Gushing, R. M.,

Daggett, H. C,
Damon, Samuel G.,
Dana, Charles B.,
Darling, Charles K.,
Davenport, Edward,
Davenport, Geo. E.,
Davenport, Henry,
Davis, Curtis,
Davis, Hervey,
Dawson, Jackson,
Deblois, S. G.,
Denny, C. H.,
Denny, R. S.,

Dorchester.

Boston.

Neponset.

Amherst.

Jamaica Plain.

Dorchester.

AVest Roxbury.

Draciit.

Dedham.

Brookline.

Everett.

Brookline.

Lincoln.

West Roxbury.

Boston.

Maiden.

Watertown.

West Dedham.

Maiden.

Boston.

Brookline.

Boston.

Arlington.

Chelsea.

Woburn.
West Roxbury.
Jamaica Plain.
Boston.

Boston.

Arlington.

Brookline.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Cambridge.
Cambridgeport.
West Roxbury.
Boston.

Dorchester.

MEMBERS FOR LIFE,

251

Denton, Eben,
DeWolf, John L.,
Dewson, F. A.,
Dexter, F. Gordon,
Dickerman, Geo. H.,
Dickinson, Alex.,
Dike, Charles C,
Dix, Joseph,
Dorr, George,
Dove, George W.W.,
Downer, Samuel,
Durant, H. F.,
Durant, William,
Durfee, Mrs. F. B.,
Durfee, George B.,

Eaton, Horace,
Eldridge, E. H.,
Ellicott, J. P.,
Endicott, Wm. E.,
Everett, George,
Everett, Otis,
Everett, William,

Farlow, John S.,
Faxon, John,
Fay, Mrs. R. L.,
Fenno, J. B.,
Fewkes, Edwin,
Fillebrown, John,
Fisher, James,
Fisher, Warren,
Flagg, Augustus,
Fleming, Edwin,
Fleming, William,
Fletcher, J. W.,
Flint, Charles L.,
Flint, D. B.,
Flynt, William N.,
Foster, John H.,
Fowle, W. B.,
Freeland, Chas. Wm.,
Freeman, Abraham,
French, Jonathan,
French, J. D. W.,
Fuller, Henry Weld,

Braintree.
Boston.

Somerville.

Cambridgeport.

Stoneham.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Andover.

Dorchester.

Boston,

Fall River.

Quincy.

Boston.

Jamaica Plain.

Canton.

Concord.

Boston.

Newton.

Quincy.

Chelsea.

Boston.

Ipswich.

Arlington.

Boston.

Boston,
West Newton.

Chelsea.

Boston.

Watertown.

Monson.

Boston.

Auburndale.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Galvin, John,
Gardner, Henry N.,
Gibbs, Wolcott,
Gillard, William,
Gilson, F. Howard,
Glover, Albert,
Glover, Joseph B.,
Gnddard, A. Warren,
Goddard, Mrs. M.T.,
Gorham, J. L.,
Gould, Francis,
Gould, Samuel,
Gray, James,
Gregory, J. J. H.,
Greig, George,
Grinnell, Joseph,
Groom, Thomas,
Grundel, H.,
Guild, J. Anson,

Hadwen, O. B.,
Hall, Edwin A.,
Hall, George A.,
Hall, George R.,
Hall, John R.,
Hall, Lewis,
Hall, Stephen A.,
Hall, William F.,
Halliday, W. H.,
Hammond, Gard. G.,
Hammond, Samuel,
Harding, C. L.,
Harding, G. W.,
Harding, L. B.,
Harding, W. C,
Hardy, F. D., Jr.,
Harris, Charles,
Hastings, Edm. T.,
Hatch, Anthony,
Hathaway, Seth W.,
Haughton, James,
Hayden, A. W.,
Hayes, Daniel F.,
Hayes, Francis B.,
Hazeltiue, H.,
Head, Charles D.,
Hilbourn, A. J.,

West Roxbury.

Belmont,

Cambridge.

Boston.

Reading.

Boston.

Brookline.

Newton.

Jamaica Plain.

Arlington.

Boston.

Wellesley.

Marblehead.

Newton.

New Bedford.

Dorchester.

Brookline.

Worcester.
Cambridgeport.
Chelsea.
Boston.
<(

Cambridge.
Revere.
Brookline.
Boston.

Cambridge.
Dorchester.
Boston.

Cambridgeport.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Cliftondale.

Marblehead.

Boston.

Portsm'th, N. H.

Exeter, N. H.

Boston.

Brookline.
Chelsea.

252

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Hill, George,
Hill, John,
Hitchings, E. H.,
Hodgkins, John E ,
Hollis, J. W.,
Holt, Mrs. S. A.,
Hooper, Eobert C,
Hooper, Thomas,
Horner, Mrs. C. N. S
Hovey, C. H.,
Hovey, C. M.,
Hovey, John C,
Hovey, P. B.,
Howe, George,
Howland, John, Jr.,
Hubbard, Charles T.
Hubbard, G. G.,
Hubbard, J. C,
Hubbard, W. J.,
Huckins, J. W.,
Humphrey, F. J.,
Humphrey, G. W.,
Hunneman, Jos. H.,
Hunnewell, H. H.,
Hunt, Franklin,
Hunt, Moses,
Hyde, J. F. C.,

Inches, Henderson,
Inches, Herman B.,

Jackson, Abraham,
Janvrin, W. S.,
Jeffries, John, Jr.,
Jenks, C. W.,
Johnson, Francis M.
Joyce, Mrs. Samuel,

Kakas, Edward,
Kelley, E. G.,
Kendall, D. S.,
Kendall, Edward,
Kendall, J. R.,
Kendrick, Mrs. H. P.
Kennedy, G. G.,
Kenney, John M.,
Kent, John,

Arlington.

Keyes, E. W.

Denver, Col.

Stoneham.

Keyes, George,

Concord.

Boston.

Kidder, H. P.,

Boston.

Chelsea.

Kimball, A. P.,

"

Brighton.

King, Franklin,

Dorchester.

Winchester.

King, William S.,

Boston.

Boston.

Kingman, A. A.,

Brookline.

Bridgewater.

Kingman, C. D.,

Middleborough.

., Georgetown.

Kinsley, Lyman,

Cambridgeport.

Cambridge.

Kittredge, E. A.,

Boston.

Cambridgeport.

Lamb, Thomas,

Boston.

"

Lancaster, C. B.,

Newton.

Boston.

Lawrence, Amos A.,

Brookline.

New Bedford.

Lawrence, Edward,

Charlestown.

, Boston.

Lawrence, James,

Boston.

Cambridge.

Lawrence, James,

Groton.

Boston.

Lawrence, John,

Boston.

"

Lawson, Peter,

Lowell.

((

Leavens, S. Uavis,

Boston.

Dorchester.

Lee, Henry,

i(

Dedham.

Lemme, Frederick,

Natick.

Boston.

Leuchars, R. B.,

Boston.

Wellesley.

Lewis, A. S.,

Framingham.

Boston.

Lewis, William G.,

(I

((

Lincoln, D. Waldo,

Worcester.

Newton.

Lincoln, George,

Hingliam.

Locke, W. H.,

Belmont.

Boston.

Lodge, Giles H.,

Swampscott.

((

Loftus, John P.,

Boston.

Loomis, J. B.,

Chelsea.

Boston.

Lord, George C,

Newton.

Revere.

Loring, Alfred,

South Hinghara,

Boston.

Loring, C. W.,

Boston.

((

Lothrop, Eben W.,

Chelsea.

, Newton Centre.

. Lovett, G. L.,

Boston.

Medford.

Low, Ariel,

"

Lowder, John,

Watertown.

Medford.

Lowell, Augustus,

Boston.

Newburyport.

Luke, Elijah H.,

Cambridgeport.

Woodstock, Ont.Lumb, Wm.,

Boston.

Cambridgeport.

Lunt, C. H.,

Jamaica Plain.

Woburn.

Lyman, Theodore,

Brookline.

, Allston.

Lyon, Henry,

Charlestown.

Boston.

Wareham.

Mahoney, John,

Boston.

Charlestown.

Mann, James F.,

Cambridge.

MEMBERS FOR LIFE.

253

Mann, Jonathan,
Manning, J. W.,
Manning, Mrs. L. B.
Manning, Robert,
Mansfield, H. S.,
Mariano, A.,
Marsh, Francis,
Marshall, Frederick,
Martin, D. A.,
Martin, J. S.,
Mason, R. M.,
Matthews, Nathan,
McCarthy, T.,
McClure, John,
Merriam, M. H.,
Merrifield, W. T.,
Miller, E. D.,
Mills, Charles H.,
Milniore, M ,
Milton, W. H.,
Minott, Charles,
Minton, James,
Mixter, Charles,
Moore, John B.,
Morrill, Joseph, Jr ,
Morse, S. B.,
Morse, Samuel F.,
Motley, Thomas,
Mudge, E. R.,
Mudge, George A.,
Mudge, George W.,
Munroe, Otis,

Needhara, Daniel,
Newhall, George,
Newhall, Josiah,
Newman, J. R.,
Newton, W. W.,
Nichols, Mrs. F.,
Nourse, Benjamin F
Nourse, B. F.,

Cambridge.
Reading.

Salem.

Blackstone.

Andover.

Dedham.

Everett.

Chelsea.

Boston.

Revere.

Lexington

Worcester.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Somerville.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Concord.

Boston.

West Roxbury.

Swampscott.

Brookline.

Lynn.

Boston.

Groton.
Dorchester.
Lynnfield.
Winchester.
Brookline.
Dorchester.
, Cambridgeport.
Boston.

Osgood, .Tas. Ripley, Boston.

Otis, T. C,

Oxnard, George D., "

Packer, C. H.,

Boston.

Page Thomas,
Paine, Robert T.,
Palmer, J. P.,
Park, J. C,
Parker, Augustus,
Parker, William A.,
Parkman, Francis,
Partridge, Henry,
Partridge, Horace,
Pearce, John,
Peck, O. H.,
Peck, W. G ,
Penninian, A. P.,
Perkins, Augustus T.,
Perkins, Edward N.,
Perkins, William P.,
Perry, George W.,
Philbrick,Wil]ianiD.,
Phillips, John C, Jr.,
Pierce, George W.,
Pierce, Henry L.,
Pierce, S. B.,
Poole, Benjamin C,
Poor, John R.,
Pope, Alexander,
Potter, Joseph S.,
Prang, L.,
Pratt, Robert M.,
Pratt, William.
Pray, Mark W.,
Prescott, C. H.,
Prescott, Eben C,
Prescott, W. G.
Prescott, William G.,
Preston, George H.,
Preston, John,
Pringle, C. G.,
Proctor, Thomas P.,
Prouty, Gardner,
Putnam, Joshua H.,

Ramsay, A. H.,
Rand, Miss E. L.,
Rand, E. S.,
Rand, Oliver J.,
Rawson, W. W.,
Rayner, John J.,

Milwaukee.
Boston.

Somerville.
Boston.

Jamaica Plain.

Dunkirk, N. Y.

Somerville.

West Roxbury.

Franklin.

Arlington

Waltham.

Boston.

Brookline.

Maiden.
Newton Centre.
Boston.
Everett.
Dorchester.

u

Chelsea.
Somerville.
Dorchester.
Arlington.

Boston.

(I

Winchester.
Maiden.

Cornwallis, N.S.
Boston.

Quincy.

Boston.

Dorchester.

Charlotte, Vt.

West Roxbury.

Littleton.

Brookline.

Cambridge.

Newton.

Boston.

Cambridgeport.

Arlington.

Lexington.

254

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Reed, George W.,
Richards, John J.,
Richards, William B.
Richardson, C. E.,
Richardson, Geo. C,
Robbins, I. Gilbert,
Robbins, Nathan,
Robeson, W. R.,
Robinson, John,
Robinson, J. H.,
Rogers, John H.,
Ross, Henry,
Ross, M. D.,
Ross, Waldo O.,
Russell, George,
Russell, N. P.,
Russell, Walter,

Sampson, G. R.,
Sanborn, Amos C,
Sandford, O. S.,
Sargent, Charles S.,
Sargent, Ignatius,
Saville, R. L.,
Sawyer, E. H.,
Sawyer, Timothy T.,
Scott, Charles,
Scudder, C. W.,
Seaver, Nathaniel,
Seaver, Robert,
Shaw, C. C,
Shaw, S. P.,
Sheafe, Charles C,
Sheafe, William,
Sheldon, 0. S.,
Shimmin, Charles F.,
Shorey, John L ,
Skinner, Francis,
Slack, Chas. W.,
Slack, Lewis,
Smith, Benj. G.
Smith, Charles A.,
Smith, Charles H.,
Smith, Chaiincy,
Smith, E. N.,
Smith, George 0.,
Smith, James H ,

Boston.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Arlington.

Boston.

Salem.

Dorchester.

Boston.

Newton.

Boston.

W. Somerville.
Boston.

Arlington.

New York.
Cambridgeport.
Cordaville.
Brookline.

Easthampton.

Ciiarlestown.

Newton.

Brookline.

East Boston.

Jamaica Plain.

Boston.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Brookline.

Milton.

Boston.

Lynn.

Boston.

Brookline.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Jamaica Plain.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Needham.

Smith, Joshua B.,
Smith, Peter,
Smith, W. B.,
Snow, Eben,
Southmayd, John K.,
Sparhawk, Edwd. C,
Sparhawk, Geo.,
Spaulding, Edward,
Spaulding, M. D.,
Speare, Alden,
Springall, George.
Springer, John,
Stetson, James A.,
Stetson, Nahum,
Stickney, Rufus B.,
Stimpson, George,
Stimpson, H. H.,
Stone, Amos,
Stone, G. F.,
Stone, Phineas J.,
Story, E. A.,
Strong, William C,
Sturgis, John H.,
Sturgis, Russell, Jr.,
Sturtevant, E. Lewis,
Sumner, Edwiird,
Surette, L. A.,
Swain, Charles D.,

Taft, John B.,
Tappan, Charles,
Taylor, Horace B.,
Thacher, Alfred C,
Thayer, Henry,
Thayer, Nathaniel,
Thompson, S. Benton,
Thorndike, John H.,
Thurlow, T. C,
Tilton, Stephen W.,
Todd, John,
Tolnian, Benj.,
Tolnian, Miss H. S.,
Torrey, Everett,
Turner, J. M.,
Turner, R. W.,
Turner, Royal W.,

Cambridgeport.

Andover.

Boston.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Brighton.

Lexington.

Jamaica Plain.

Boston.

Newton Centre.

Maiden.

Sterling.

Quincy.

Bridge water.

Somerville.

New York.

Cambridge.

Everett.

Newton.

Charlestown.

Brighton.

Boston.

S. Framingham.
Dedham.
Concord.
Roxbury.

Boston.

Dorchester.

N. Cambridge.

Boston.

Lexington.

Boston.

Newburyport.

Boston.

Hingham.

Concord.

Boston.

Charlestown.

Dorchester.

Newton.

Randolph.

MEMBERS FOR LIFE.

255

Underwood, Guy C, Boston.
Upham. Henry,

Vass, W. J.,
Vinton, A. H.,D.D.,
Vose, B. C,

Wainwright, Peter,
Wainwright, Wm. L.,
Wakefield, E. H.,
Walcott, Edward,
Waleott, Henry P.,
Walker, Edw. C. R.,
Walker, Samuel A.,
Walker, T. W.,
Walley, Mrs. W. P.,
Ward, John,
Wardwell, W. H.,
Ware, Benjamin P.,
Warren, G. W.,
Wason, E.,
Waters, Edwin F.,
Waters, George F.,
Watts, Isaac,
Webber, A. D.,
Weld, Aaron D.,
Weld, Dr. M. W.,
Weld, Richard H.,
Weld, W. G.,
Weston, L. W.,
Weston, Seth,
Wetherell, Leander,

Boston.

Wheelwright, A. C,

Boston.

Brookline.

Whipple, John A.,

a

Whitcomb, Wni. B.,

Medford.

Boston.

White, B. C,

Boston.

<(

White, Edward A.,

((

Hyde Park.

White, Francis A.,

Brookline.

Whitelj', Edward,

Cambridge.

Boston.

Whiting, Nathaniel,

Brookline.

Braintree.

Whitmore, C. 0.,

Boston.

Chelsea.

Whittle, George W.,

Somerville.

Pawtucket.

Whytal, Thomas G.,

West Roxbury.

Cambridge.

Wilbur, G. B.,

Watertown.

Boston.

Wilcutt, Levi L.,

West Roxbury.

"

AVilder, Henry A.,

Boston.

Waltham.

Wilder, Marshall P.,

Dorchester.

Boston.

Williams, Aaron D.,

Boston.

Newton.

Williams, Benj. B.

((

Centre.

Williams, Philander,

Taunton.

Marblehead.

Willis, George W ,

Chelsea.

Boston.

Willis, J. C,

Boston.

Brookline.

Wilson, Henry W.,

South Boston.

Newton Centre,

. Winship, F. Lyman,

Brighton.

Newton.

Winship, Herman,

"

Belmont.

Woerd, C. V.,

Waltham.

Boston.

Woerd, C. v., Jr.,

"

West Roxbury.

Wood, L. H.,

Marlborough.

Boston.

Wood, R. W.,

Jamaica Plain,

a

Wood, Wm. K.,

West Newton.

Brookline.

Woodward, Royal,

Brookline.

Lincoln.

Wright, George C,

West Acton.

Revere.

Wrisley, Frank,

New York.

Boston.

ANNUAL MEMBERS.

Abbott, S. L.,M. D.

, Boston.

Adams, Chas. F.,

Quincy.

Adams, C. S.,

Framingham.

Allen, Andrew F.,

Arlington.

Allen, Calvin,

Boston.

Allen, Nathaniel T.,

West Newton.

Allen, W. H.,

Dedham.

Ames, R. W.,

Boston.

Anderson, C. J.,

Longwood.

Atkinson, Chas. M.,

Brookline.

Atkinson, Edward,

"

Atkinson, John,

West Newton.

Atkinson, W. B.,

Newburyport.

Batchelder, Samuel,

Cambridge.

Bacon, Augustus,

Boston.

Bacon, William,

a

Bard, James,

Framingham.

Barker, John G.,

Lynn.

Barnard, Mrs. Joel,

Arlington H'ts.

Barnes, Parker,

Dorchester.

Bayley, Dudley H.,

Boston.

Beard, E. L.,

Cambridge.

Beebe, J. Arthur,

Boston.

Bird, Charles,

Revere.

Bird, John L.,

Dorchester.

Black, John A.,

Boston.

Bliss, B. K.,

New York.

Bolles, Matthew,

Boston.

Bolles, William P.,

"

Bolton, John B.,

Somerville.

Boott, William,

Boston.

Bradlee, J. T.,

((

Break, C. H.,

Brighton.

Breck, C. H. B.,

((

Brewer, Thomas M.,

Boston.

Brooks, George,

Brookline.

Brown, A. S.,

Jamaica Plain.

Brown, Atherton T.,

Boston.

Brown, Jona., Jr.,
Brown, Joseph T.,
Bryant, G. J. F.,
Bull, E. W.,
Bullard, Calvin,
Burley, Edward,
Burr, Charles C,
Butler, Edward,

Capen, Aaron D.,
Carter, Maria E.,
Cartwright, James,
Chadbourne M. W.,
ChafRn, John C,
Ciiase, Mrs. C. B.,
Chase, Henry L.,
Cheney, A. P.,
Clark, James W.,
Clark, Joseph,
Clark, Joseph W.,
Cobb, Jonathan H.,
Coe, Henry F.,
Colby, E. P.,
Cole, H. Hammond,
Comley, James,
Converse. Parker L.,
Cooke, Henry C,
Cox, James F.,
Crafts, W. A.,
Cruickshanks, J. T.,
Curtis, D. T.,
Curtis, Joseph H.,
Cutter, George B.,

Somerville.
Boston.

Concord.
Boston.
Beverly.
Newton.

Wellesley.

Mattapan.

Woburn.

Wellesley.

Watertown.

Newton.

Medford.

Lynn.

Natick.

Framingham.

Canton.

Dedham.

West Roxbury.

Wakefield.

Chelsea.

Lexington.

Woburn.

West Newton.

Abington.

Boston.

Natick.

Boston.

Weston.

Darling, Moses, Jr., South Boston.

Davis, Frederick, Newton.

Davis, James, Boston.

Davis, Thomas M., Cambridgeport.

Day, George B., Boston.

ANNUAL MEMBERS.

257

Dean, A. J.,

Boston.

Grant, Charles E.,

Boston.

Denison, J N.,

((

Graves, Frank H. ,

West Newton.

Dillaway, Chas. K ,

((

Gray, Edward,

Boston.

Doogue, William,

(C

Gray, Howard,

Dorchester.

Downe, Sumner,

Maiden.

Gray, John C,

Boston.

Downes, Mrs. S. M..

1 Andover.

Gray, Wm., Jr.,

Dorchester.

Duffley, Daniel,

Brookline.

Gray, Wm., 3d,

a

Dupee, James A.,

u

Grew, Henry,

"

Dyer, Mrs. E. D.,

Eyota, Minn.

Guerineau, Louis,

Maiden.

Eaton, Jacob,

Cambridgeport.

Haines, Robert J.,

Boston.

Edgar, William,

Newtonville.

Haley, Jesse,

Cambridgeport.

Eustis, James,

Wakefield.

Hall, William T.,

Revere.

Ewings, L. B.,

Boston.

Hamlin, D. A.,

South Boston.

Harris, Miss Ellen M.

, Jamaica Plain.

Falconer, John,

Rochester.

Harris, F. L.,

South Natick.

Falconer, William,

Cambridge.

Hartwell, Samuel,

Lincoln.

Farrier, Amasa,

Stoneham.

Harwood, Geo. S.,

Newton.

Farrier, Mrs. C,

a

Haskell, Edward,

New Bedford.

Fay, Henry G.,

Brookline.

Hatch, Samuel,

Boston.

Felton, A. W.,

West Newton.

Hayes, John L.,

Cambridge.

Fenno, .Warren,

Revere.

Hay ward, Geo. P.,

Hingham.

Fletcher, Edwin,

Acton.

Hazleton, H. L.,

Boston.

Foster, Joshua T.,

Medford.

Heath, Geo. W.,

Melrose.

Foster, Nath'l, Jr.,

Belmont.

Hersey, Alfred H.,

Hingham.

Fowle, H. D.,

Boston.

Heustis, Warren,

Belmont.

French, Henry F.,

Concord.

Hews, Albert H.,

No. Cambridge.

French, W. E.,

Boston.

Higbee, C. H.,

Salem.

Frost, George,

West Newton.

Hill, Benj. D.,

Peabody,

Frost, Stiles,

11 ((

Hill, Henry Y.,

Belmont.

Fuller, W, G.

Stoneham.

Hill, Miss K. A.,

Lowell.

Hinckley, Mrs. D. F.

, Chelsea.

Gane, Henry A.,

West Newton.

Hittinger,Miss M. E.

, Belmont.

Gardiner, ClaudiusB.

, Newburyport.

Hodgdon, R. L.

Arlington.

Gardner, John,

Dedham.

Hovv^e, Rufus,

Marlboro'.

Garfield, Charles,

Medford.

Hubbard, J. W.,

Boston.

Gaut, S. N.,

Somerville.

Gay, Timothy,

Chelsea.

Ireland, George W.,

Somerville.

Gilbert, John,

Boston.

Gilbert, Samuel,

(<

Jameson, G. W.,

East Lexington.

Gilbert, W. A.,

Neponset.

Jones, Moses,

Brookline.

Gill, Mrs. E. M.,

Medford.

Jordan, Samuel,

Yarmouth.

Gleason, C. W.,

Boston.

Gleason, Herbert,

Maiden.

Kelsey, Fred W.,

Waverly, N. Y.

Godbold, G. A.,

Chelsea.

Kendall, Jonas,

Framingham.

Goddard, Thomas,

Boston.

Kennard, M. P.,

Brookline.

Goodwin, Lester,

Brighton.

Jvenrick, Miss A. C,

Newton.

19

258

MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Lamprell, Simon,
Lang, John H. B.,
Langmaid, S. P.,
Langworthy, I. P.,
Leavens, E. W.,
Lee, Francis H.,
Lincoln, F. W., Jr.,
Livermore, Isaac,
Livermore, Miss M.,
Loring, Charles G.,
Loring, John A.,
Lothrop, D. W.,
Lothrop, H. A.,
Lothrop, Thornton K.
Lowell, John,

Markoe, G. F. H.,
May, F. W. G.,
McDermott, Andrew,
Mcintosh, A. S.,
McLaren, Anthony,
Mellen, George M.,
Merrick, John M.,
Merrill, J. Warren,
Merrill, S. A.,
Millar, John L.,
Miller, David,
Minton, P. J.,
Morandi, Francis,
Morris, Thomas D.,
Morrison, Hugh,
Morse, W. A.,
Morton, J. H.,
Murray, Daniel C,
Muzzey, A. B.,

Marblehead.

Dorchester.

Somerville.

Chelsea.

Maiden.

Salem.

Boston.

Cambridgeport.

Mt. Auburn.

Boston.

West Medford.
Sharon.
, Boston.

Newton.

Boston.

Forest Hills.

Brooklme.

Walpole.

Cambridgeport.

Danvers.

Boston.

Forest Hills.

Maiden.

Boston.

Gloucester.

Boston.

Brookline.
Cambridge.

Nichols, J. R., Haverhill.
Nightingale, Crawford,Dorchester.

Northey, William, Medford.

Norton, M. H., Boston.
Norton, P., "

Noyes, George N., Auburndale.

Nugent, James, Boston.

O'Brien, James, Jamaica Plain.

Odiorne, F. H., Maiden,

pidreive, Richard, Newton.

Olney, Richard,
Owen, John,

Paine, Benjamin F.,
Park, W. D.,
Parker, Harvey D.,
Parker, John,
Parsons, William,
Parsons, William B.,
Patterson, James,
Payson, Samuel R.,
Pettingill, Thos. S.,
Phillips, Nathaniel,
Plimpton, W. P.,
Power, Charles J.,
Pratt, L. G.,
Pratt, Samuel,
Putnam, C. A.,
Putnam, H. W.,

Randall, Macey,
Ranlett, S. A.,
Richards, John S.,
Richardson, E. P.,
Richardson, Horace,
Ridler, Charles E.,
Roberts, Edward,
Rogers, John F.,
Russell, George,

Saunders, Miss M.T. ,
Saville, George,
Sawtell, J. M.,
Schlegel, Adam,
Scott, A. E.,
Scott, George H.,
Scudder, Samuel H.,
Shattuck, F. R.,
Shedd, Abi'aham B.,
Shedd, Arthur B.,
Shepherd, C. W.,
Shepherd, Edwin,
Sherman, Japhet,
Simpson, Michael H. ,
Sleeper, J. S.
Snow, E. A.,
Southworth, Edward,

West Roxbury,
Cambridge.

Boston.

Rockport.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Brookline.

Dorchester.

West Newton.

S. Framingham.

West Newton.

Chelsea.

Salem.

Sharon.

Melrose.

Brookline.

Lawrence.

Framingham.

Kingston.

Hyde Park.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Salem.

Quincy.

Fitchburg.

Boston.

Lexington.

AUston.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Lexington.

West Newton.

Lowell.

Medford.

Saxonville.

Boston.

Melrose.

Quincy.

ANNUAL MEMBERS.

259

Spooner, W. H.,
Sprague, Charles J.,
Squire, J. P.,
Starbird, Louis D.,
Stearns, Charles,
Stone, Eliphalet,
Stevenson, Hamilton,
Stone, Samuel G.,
Story, Miss SarahW.,
Sullivan, J. L. D.,
Swan, C. W.,

Tailby, Joseph,
Tainter, A. E.,
Talbot, Josiah W.,
Tapper, Thomas,
Taylor, Moses,
Tobey, Miss M. B.,
Todd, Jacob,
Torrey, Augustus.
Tower, Elisha,
Trautman, Martin,
Tucker, E. G.,
Turner, N. W.,

Jamaica Plain.

Boston.

Arlington.

Maiden.

Brookline.

Dedhara.

Woburn.

Charlestown.

Brigliton.

Somerville.

Boston.

Wellesley.

Medford.

Norwood.

Canton.

Acton.

Brookline.

Boston.

Beverly.

Lexington.

Boston.

Everett.

Underwood, Wm. J., Belmont.

Vandine, Henry, Cambridgeport.

Vinton, Mrs. C. A., Boston.

Walker, Charles H., Chelsea.

Walker, Joseph T.,
Walker, Wm. P.,
Wallis, William,
Walsh, M. H.,
Washburn, E. F.,
Watson, David,
Webster, John,
Wellington, Chas. A.,
Wellington, Jos. V.,
Wells, Benjamin T.,
Weston, Mrs. L. P.,
Wheatland, Henry,
Wheeler, Miss Ann C.
Wheildon, Wm. W.,
White, N. B.,
White, T. C,
Whitney, Joel,
Wilde, Hiram,
Williams, Dudley,
Wilmarth, H. D.,
Wilson, B. O.,
Wilson, George W.,
Wiswall, Henry M.,
Wolcott, Mrs. J. W.,
Wood, Mrs. AnnaD.,
Wood, Miss C. S.,
Wood, E. W.,
Woodford, Jos. H.,

Zirngiebel, D.,

Boston.

Somerville.

Boston.

Brighton.

Neponset.

Maiden.

Salem.

E. Lexington.

Cambridge.

Boston.

Danvers.

Salem.

Cambridgeport.

Concord.

Norwood.

Charlestown.

Winchester.

Randolph.

Jamaica Plain.

Watertown.
Maiden.
Watertown.
Boston.
West Newton.

Newton.

Needham.

EXTRACTS FROM THE BY-LAWS.

SECTION XXVI.— Life Members.

The payment of thirty dollars shall constitute a Life Membership, and
exempt the member from all future assessments ; and any member, having
once paid an admission fee, may become a Life Member by the payment of
twenty dollars in addition thereto.

4

SECTION XXVII. — Admission Pee and Annual Assessment.
Every subscription member, before he receives his Diploma, or exercises

260 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

the privileges of a member, shall pay the sum of ten dollars as an admission
fee, and shall be subject afterwards to an annual assessment of two dollars.

SECTION XXIX. — Discontinuance of Membership.

Any member who shall neglect for the space of two years to pay his annual
assessment shall cease to be a member of the Society : and the Treasurer
shall erase his name from the List of Members.

The attention of Annual Members is particularly called to Section XXIX.

CONTENTS.

Page.
Business Meeting, April 6, 1878; Organization of Flower Committee, p. 115;

Election of Corresponding Members, 115; Appropriations, 115; Fiftieth

Anniversary, 115; Decease of "W. C. Flagg, ..... 115

Business Meeting, May 4; Election of members, p. 116; Resolutions on W.

C. Flagg, 116, 117; Decease of CheeverNewhall, .... 117

Business Meeting, June 1; Election of members, p. 118; Resolutions on

CheeverNewhall, ......... 118, 119

Business Meeting, July 6 ; Letters from Mrs. Flagg and Mrs. Newhall, . 119

Business Meeting, August 3; Communication from U. S. Commissioner of

Agriculture, p. 120; Nominating Committee, 120; Election of member, . 120

Business Meeting, September 7; Report of Nominating Committee pre-
sented, p. 120; Decease of William R. Austin, ..... 120

Business Meeting, October 5 ; Annual Election, p. 121 ; Election of members, 121

Business Meeting, November 2; Election of members, p. 121 ; Resolutions

on W. R. Austin, ......... 122, 123

Business Meeting, November 16; Appropriations recommended, . . 123

Business Meeting, December 7; Reports of Committee on Publication and
Discussion, and of Committee on Window Gardening read, p. 124; Vote
of thanks, 124; Reports of Committees on Gardens, Library, Plants and
Flowers, and Vegetables read, 124 ; Prizes for 1879 reported, 124 ; Appro-
priation, 124; Declinations, ........ 124,125

Business Meeting, December 14, 1878; Report of Fruit Committee read, p.
125 ; Report of Secretary read, 125 ; Vacancies filled, 125 ; French Fund,
125, 126; Baskets for Strawberries, 126; Influence of the Stock on the
Graft, 126

Report of the Committee on Plants and Flowers, p. 127; Prizes and

Gratuities awarded, ......... 148

Report of the Committee on Fruits, p. 168; Prizes and Gratuities

awarded, ........... 176

Report OF THE Committee on Vegetables, p. 192; Prizes and Gratuities

awarded, ..*........ 197

II.

CONTENTS.

Rkport of the Committee on Gardens, . . , . •

Report of the Special Committee on "Window Gardening, p. 212

Prizes and Gratuities awarded, ......

Report of the Committee of Arrangements,

Report of the Committee on Publication and Discussion,

Report of the Secretary, .......

Report of the Library Committee, p. 223; Library Accessions, .
Report of the Treasurer, .......

Report of the Finance Committee, .....

Mount Auburn Cemetery, .......

Officers and Standing Committees for 1879, ....

Members of the Society ; Honorary, p. 240 ; Corresponding, 244 ; Life, 249

Annual, ..........

Extracts from the By-Laws, ......

Page.

208

215
218
220
221
225
232
233
236
238

256
259

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