UMASS/AMHERST 9 31EDt.t.DDS3'^^5H3 m^i-^^j- >. >^* =5-- m r '^ ;f..Vrf^.=J^ ., ,\r\}r- ,sa^*c, zo n' J LIBRARY OF THE HUSETTS ;ltural uLEGE -_DATE.Ir-l4_Q0_.. SOURCE.jyi.^^.%_-__ii9vl7_.$OCL. i3lt-'=}7 This book may be kept out TWO WEEKS only, and is subject to a fine of TWO CENTS a day thereafter. It will be due on the day indicated below. -MAY 1 9 1914 I I ' Is TRANSACTIONS III tssHcljusttts lortitultural ^mtt\i, FOR THE YEAR 1896. PART BOSTOX : PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 1896. %'\(^''^1 CONTENTS. PAGE Prefatory Note, 3 Business Meeting, January 4, 1896; Address of President Appleton, pp. 5-16; Appropriations for 1896, 16, 17; Appointment of Treasurer and Secretary, 17; Proj^ramme of Lectures and Discussions announced, 17; Annual Report of the Secretary and Librarian read, 17; Reports of Committees on Vegetables and School Gardens and Children's Her- bariums read, 17; Vote of thanks to Waldo O. Ross, 17; Committee to obtain portrait of retiring President, 17; Finance and Library Com- mittees authorized to store part of the Library, 17, 18; Vote of Thanks to the retiring President, 18 ; Letter from Hollis Webster, 18 ; Two members elected, . - 18 Meeting FOR Lecture and Discussion, Janiiaiy 11; Hardy Garden Plants, by E. O. Orpet, pp. 18-29; Discussion, 29-31 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 18 ; Conservatism in Scientific Agriculture, by Prof. W. H. Jordan, pp. 31-47 ; Discussion, . 47-49 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 25; Stove Plants in their Native Tropics, by Prof. G. L. Goodale, 49-54 Business Meeting, February 1 ; Report of Joint Committee on the Build- ing, and vote passed, pp. 54, 65; Annual Report of the Treasurer read, 55; Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums ap- pointed, 55 ; Committees to prepare memorials of Charles M. Atkinson and Hon. John P. Spaulding, 55 ; Invitation from Boston Society of Natural History, 55 : Member elected, 55 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 8 ; Seed Control : Its Aims, Methods, and Benefits, by Gilbert H. Hicks, pp. 56-81 ; Dis- cussion, 82, 83 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 15 ; Some Scale Insects, by L. O. Howard, with four plates, pp. 84—96 ; Discussion, . 97, 98 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 29; Some Tendencies and Problems in the Evolution of Species among Parasitic Fungi, by Prof. George F. Atkinson, pp. 98-118 ; Discussion, 118 Business Meeting, March 7; Appointment of Secretary j»ro tern., p. 119; Report of Committee on Gardens referred to Committee on Publica- tion, 119; Six members elected, 119 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 14; Ornamental Planting for Pai-ks and Public Grounds, by William S. Egerton 119-133 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 21 ; Grasses, by Prof. F. Lamson-Scribner, pp. 134-149; Discussion 149,150 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 28 ; Manuring Orchards, by Prof. Edward B. Voorhees, pp. 150-165 ; Discussion, . . . 166, 167 Business Meeting, April 4; Memorial of Hon. John P. Spaulding, pp. 167, 168; More time granted the Committee on memorial of C. M. Atkinson, 168; Two pamphlets presented to the Society, 168; Four members elected 168 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, April 11 ; Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous, by William C. Bates 169-187 CONTENTS. PAGE Business Meeting, May 2, 1896; Memorial of C. M. Atkinson, pp. 191, 192; Kour members elected 192 Business Meeting, June 6; No quorum 193 Business Meeting, July 11; Decease of M. Leon Say and Andrew S. Fuller announced, p. 193; Letter from Mrs. C. M. Atkinson, 193; Vote concerning compensation of committees, 193; Four members elected .... 193 Business Meeting, August 1; Nominating Committee appointed . . . 194 Business Meeting, September 5; Report of Nominating Committee made . 194 Business Meeting, October 3; Annual Election, pp. 195, 196, 197; Report on compensation of committees, 195; Decease of William Robinson an- nounced, 196; Seventeen members elected 196 Business Meeting, November 7; Memorial of A. 8. Fuller, pp. 197, 198; Memorial of William Robinson, 198, 199; Appropriations for 1897, 200; Labelling Fungi, 200, 201; Two members elected 201 Business Meeting, December 5; Reports of Committee of Arrangements, Library, Establishing Prizes, presented, p. 201; Partial report fiom Committee on Gardens and Flowers, 201; Decease of S. G. Damon an- nounced, 202; Letter concerning appointment of Secretary of Agriculture, 202; Seven members elected 202 Business Meeting, December 12; Reports of Committees on Fruits, Flowers, Gardens, and School Gardens and Children's Herbariums, presented, pp. 202, 203; Report of Secretary and Librarian read, 203; Vote concerning warrants for service on committees 203 Report of Committee on Plants; Introduction, p. 204; Spring Exhibition, 204, 205; May Exhibition, 205; itose and Strawberry Exhibition, 205, 206; Annual Exhibition of Plants and Flowers, 206; Chrysanthemum Show, 206, 207; Financial Statement, 207; Prizes and Gratuities awarded, 20S-216 Report of Comjiitthe on Flowers; Introduction, pp. 217, 218; Spring Ex- hibition, 218, 219; May Exhibition, 219, 220; Rhododendron Show, 220; Rose and Strawberry Exhibition, 221; Annual Exhibition of Plants and Flowers, 223,224; Chrysanthemum Show, 224, 225; Saturday Exhibitions, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225; Financial Statement, 226; Prizes and Gratuities awarded 227-245 Report of Committee on Fruits, pp. 24C-248; Prizes and Gratuities awarded . 249-283 Report of Committee on Vegetables, pp. 264-266; Prizes and Gratuities awarded 267-2SI jj CONTENTS. PAGE REPORT OF Committee on Gardens; Introciuetion. p. 282; Dsvid Nevlns's EBtato, 282-285; Chryeanthemums, 2S6; Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney's Chrye- authemuras, 286, 287; Walter Hunnewell's Chrysanthemums, 288, 289; William Nicholson's Chrysantheraums, 289, 290; James Comley's Chrys- anthemums, 290-292; Violets, 292, 293; David Nevine's Violets, 293, 294; James Comley's Violets, 294; Carnations, 294, 295; Fruit Garden, 295; ^ Vegetable Gardens, 295; Statement of E. C. Lewis, 296, 297; Wa.ren H. Heustis's Vegetable Gaiden, 297; Bussey Institution, 297-300; Camelha House at Oatmont, 300-302; William Nicholson's Forced Tomatoes, 302; Winter Forcing of Tomatoes, 303, 304; Awards 304, 30y Report of tub Committee on Arrangements 206, 30( Report of the Committee on School Gardens and Children's Her- bariums; George I'utnara School, Koxbury, pp. 30S-310 ; Children's Her- bariums, 311-313; Financial Staleraeut, 313; Prizes aud Gratuities awarded, 314, 315 Report to the State Board of Agriculture 316-31 Report of the Committee on the Library 319, 32 3'' 1-324 Report of Secretary and Libkakian Report of Treasurer and Finance Committee 325-330 ooi 332 Mount Auburn Cemetery ' Officers and Standing Committees for 1897 333-335 Members of the Society; Life, pp. 336-342; Annual, 343-345; Honorary, 347; , . ... o4o— o.^U Corresponding Extracts from the Constitution and By-Laws ^ CONTENTS GENERAL HORTICULTURE, Horticultural Journals, Horticultural Societies, Flowebs and Ornamental Plants, Floricultural Societies, • Fruits, .... Fruit Growers' Societies, Vegetables, Greenhouses, Etc., Parks, Cemeteries, Trees, Forestry, Forestry Journals. Forestry Associations, Etc., GENERAL AGRICULTURE, Tropical Agriculture, . Grasses and Forage Plants, Agricultural Chemistry, Soils, Fertilizers, Etc., Agricultural Journals, Agricultural Societies, Boards, Etc., Agricultural Experiment Stations, Etc, NOXIOUS PLANTS, INSECTS, PLANT DISEASES, ETC., SPRAYING, GENERAL BOTANY, . Economic Botany, . Medical Botany. Territorial Botany, Physiological Botany, Cryptogamic Botany, Botanical MonographSu, Botanical Journals, Botanical Societies, Botanical Gardens, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES, ETC., MISCELLANEOUS, .... PERIODICALS PURCHASED, . PERIODICALS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE, LIST OF BOOKS WANTED BY THE SOCIETY, DUPLICATE BOOKS FOR SALE, . . . , PAGE 353, 354 354 354-356 357-359 359, 360 360 360, 361 361 361 361, 362 363 363 364 364 364, 365 365, 366 366 366 366, 367 368 368 368-390 390-393 393 393, 394 394 394 394, 395 395, 396 396 396-398 398 399, 400 400 400 401 401-403 403-405 406, 407 407, 408 408, 409 411-418 419 The following papers and disenssions have been circulated to some extent in the form of slips reprinted from the reports made by the Secretary of the Society in the " Boston Transcript." As here presented, the papers are printed in full, and the discus- sions are not only much fuller than in the weekly reports, but, where it appeared necessary, have been carefully revised by the speakers. The Committee on Publication and Discussion take this oppor- tunity to repeat what they have before stated, that the Society is not to be held responsible for the certainty of the statements, the correctness of the opinions, or the accuracy of the nomen- clature in the papers and discussions now or heretofore pub- lished, all of which must rest on the credit or judgment of the respective writers or speakers, the Society undertaking only to present these papers and discussions, or the substance of them, correctly. J. D. AV. Frexch, j Committee on C. MiNOT Weld, Puhl'ication and B. M. Watson, ) Discussion. TRANSACTIONS OF THE «* assarl^nsetts ^nrtiailtural Bmd^. BUSINESS :MEETiyG. Saturday, January 4, 1896. A duly notified stated meeting of tlie Society was holden at eleven o'clock, the chair being taken by President Xathakiel T. KiDDEK. This being the commencement of the term of office of the new board of officers and Committees, the retiring President, with ap- propriate remarks, introduced the President-elect, Fraxcis H. Appleton, who delivered the usual inaugural address, as follows : Address of President Appleton. Felloic-Memhers of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society : Twenty-five years ago this year I was sufficiently inoculated with the germ of fondness for, and in interest in, those branches of horticulture which are, in varied form, the charge and care of this Society under legislative assignment, to request that my name be presented for Life Membership, and I feel that had I been called upon to pay fifty dollars, instead of thirty dollars, for my Certificate it would not have been too much. The possibilities for helpfulness to the individual who is in- terested in horticulture, and usefulness to horticulture in general, of this Society, are great — indeed much greater than is possible in this present building. I feel that, in the several branches represented by our Com- mittees, our Society can do more than is now possible, or is now our custom to do, to enlarge and advance the sphere of the 6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. scientific and practical usefulness to, and the market possibilities for, our horticulturists. Under the law, our property must be used strictly for the advancement of horticulture, and for that object must our income and real estate be directed. To that end are our special Committees on Plants, Flowers, Fruits, Vegetables, and Gardens chosen from those of our members who are best able to conduct such duties ; and so are the members of the other Committees chosen for their fitness to carefully conduct the duties assigned to them. Each Committee is wisely limited in the scope of its duties, and it is to them, in their several lines, that the Society must look for suggestions as to improvement, which must be subject to review from a financial standpoint. Income is always limited. I believe, under like reasoning, that the interests of every member of the Society would be promoted by having the Real Estate and other invested property of the Society placed in the hands of a carefully constituted Board of Trustees. After my twenty-five years of membership, somewhat actively passed upon several of our Committees, and after a quite general interchange of opinions among our members, I feel convinced of the value to horticultural interests in the State of the adoption of the foregoing proposed plan. I venture to express the hope that you will be prepared to favor such a proposition, if it shall be presented to you later in wise form. As proof of the indirect benefits from our work in various ways let me relate the following : Xot very long ago I visited- certain Rose houses in the neigh- borhood of Boston, which covered several acres with glass, and whence I had known that all the product of roses had been shipped to New York. I asked tlie superintendent if Xew York continued to be their market. •' Oh, no," said he ; " all our roses now find ready sale in Boston." And I learned that, in his opinion, the Exhibitions of our Horticultural Society had accom- plished so much towards building up in Boston an increased taste, and increased demand, for well-grown flowers, that the change of market had been thus brought about. Look over the list of our .members, and you find but few who have not contributed somewhat to liortieidtural work. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 7 It is to this Society's encouragement, and to the work of its members, that our citizens are largeh^ indebted for the beautiful suburban landscape that is made up of the homes of our wealthy and prosperous people. That encouragement and good work ex- tends beyond the limits of Boston's suburbs. The horticultural work undertaken by our municipalities throughout our State has also been stimulated and advanced by the example set by distinguished members of our Society, and others like them, whose beautiful grounds stand as object lessons in all branches of such work. To show how horticultural tastes may be promoted, pardon my being a bit personal. My early days were passed in the city of Salem, where a home was incomplete without such a surrounding garden as the experience of most of you can readily picture, with its fruits and flowers, paths and hedges ; and there a phase of horticultural liking was promoted. Later, a change of home to the neighboring country gave fields and pastures, Avith natural growths of trees, shrubs, and native flora, with all the living accompaniments that interest, and benefit or torment ; all of which gave opportunity that has de- veloped another phase of horticultural taste. With such varied surroundings, could tastes, other than those that are framed with horticultural likings, be expected, even though they are moderate in degree. Thus are individuals encouraged, in part, to aid in advancing the work that our Society promotes. How can any one, living in these days and knowing of the incorporated " Board of Trustees of Public Reservations," with their right to hold an}^ land within the limits of, and in trust for, the State ; also any one having a knowledge of the Metro- politan Park Commission, with its right to take and hold lands within that territory, whose life comes from the profits of busi- ness transactions largely consummated in that section of Metro- politan Boston which can be called '' the City,'' and any one having a knowledge of the Boston Park Commission, which has constructed and developed a system of connected Public Park lands, from which the Metropolitan Park lands, and certain of the Public Reservations, are to become readily accessible, — how can any such person, if he has traveled, not agree that there is no city anywhere, especially on a seacoast, and on the banks of 8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL, SOCIETY. two naturally beautiful rivers, with attractive streams and lakes, with hills and forests Avitliin and near her borders, that approaches the Boston of the near future in horticultural and landscape conditions ? The surroundings of these Parks offer limitless opportunities for landscape effect, and other horticultural work. The degree of beauty that shall result therefrom must be gauged by the skill and knowledge of those Avho have the moulding of such opportunities into realities. Our lectures can in part be directed towards the preservation of high ideals in that direction, to good advantage. Good taste in all our horticultural work should be encouraged, to prevent bad taste. The market gardens in the neighborhood of this cit}', and elsewhere, whence we receive the fine specimens of produce that decorate our tables, are generall}^ models of the application of science and business methods, to the work that is there con- ducted. Therein they set an example which our agriculturists, can always adopt to their profit. Business method means all possible economy j and application of science means prevention of waste, and increase of profit; all are essential to success whether in horticulture or farming. Herein is shown a field for usefulness of Experiment Stations and kindred establishments, but they will not always meet our needs unless our needs are made known to those who direct them, to guide their course of investigation. The Winter Meeting of our State Board of Agriculture, and the numerous meetings that are conducted throughout the State Avith the Board's aid during the year, draw out the needs of agriculture, and attempt to meet them with wise advice. As that State Board is constituted to perform educational work that shall benefit our liorticultural and farming interests, it seems fitting tliat our Eepresentative upon that Board should report on the beneficial work of said Board, as is done this year. State and Nation are liberal to an extreme degree in our interest, and the mone}'- that is appropriated needs to be judiciously used and the results wisely disseminated in the cause of horticulture and farmiug to ensure its continuance to our stations and agricultural colleges. This Society was organized March 17, 1820, and its Act of ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 9 Incorporation was signed by the Governor on the 12th of June. When its members, assembled in the "Society's Room," which was termed convenient and spacious, over the counting-room of the " New England Farmer," at 52 jSTorth ^Market street, little did they dream that, sixty-seven years later, the same Society would be established here, as complete owner of this valuable location, which is almost surrounded by daylight. Nor did they suppose that this Society would exist to see the day when it had out- grown the arrangements which were made for it by their successors upon this site only thirty years ago. We are probably all alive to our present deficiencies, but wisdom and good judgment have led your chosen officers to be cautious in studying our needs, and in advising plans for action. When your officers are prepared to present plans to you for improvements in our Society's home that in their judgment will make the administration of the Society's chartered work easier and more effective, I bespeak for them your favorable consid- eration. This city has made remarkable advances since this building was erected in 1865. The district devoted to business and trade has been greatly extended, and the centres of literary and social activity have greatly changed. The increase of population and valuation, the construction of our park systems, our improved methods of land transportation, and the spreading out of the people to whom Boston is their source of income, over an extended metropolitan area, make the conditions under which this Society is called on to do its work bear a changed and important proportion to the wonderful development of Boston. From the Town of the days of the founders of this Society, with its cows pastured on the Common, and only two malls then constructed there, what advances have been made are evidenced by the beautiful trees that are growing upon that Common today, and the fact that our Common and its neiglibor, the Public Garden, together, offer a problem to the landscape architect and engineer, upon the wise solution of which may depend the preservation of its beauty and usefulness to fut- ure generations. As an open-air space for the refreshment and promotion of the health of our citizens it must forever remain. 10 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Something must soon be done to enable our Society to keep pace with the changed conditions that surround us. Upon this valuable location, I have said, we have a building ill adapted to our needs. Our Exhibitions cannot be seen to good advantage on account of the necessarily crowded condition of what can be exhibited, in the lines of plants and flowers espe- cially ; and many of the larger plants that should be shown, could they be readily brought into position, note never reach our halls on account of, not only the great difficulty in carrying them into position up two flights of stairs (our elevator service being necessarily cramped), but also of the greater risk and probability of injury from having to carry many of them up in an inclined position. Even in the case of the lighter exhibits, which can be easily carried to the tables, those Avho visit the show are too often in- convenienced, as is also the case with the plants and flowers, by the narrowness of the aisles. It is frequently the case that the usefulness of an exhibit is much lessened from the fact that there is insufficient room for the interested group to discuss it. Under such conditions today those visitors who have come to see and learn, but are not expert growers, meet with inconvenience and a degree of discouragement that is undesirable. The accommodations for our volunteer Committees, upon whose careful decisions much always depends, could Avell be made better, and enable them to have improved opportunities to dis- cuss the merits of the several exhibits before concluding their awards. Committee rooms are needed, and a room for the Treas- urer and Superintendent of the Building is desirable. In such rooms the Executive, Finance, Library, and Lecture and Publi- cation Committees would find convenient quarters for meetings that would relieve the Library, and be useful as anterooms when our halls were let for evening or other uses. Such rooms should be under the control and assignment of the Superintendent of the Building. With two flights of stairs for visitors to mount to enjoy more than half of our larger, beautiful Exhibitions, and a third flight to climb in order to secure one of those exquisite bird's-ej^e views, made more beautiful by the electric lights, in the Upper Hall, many would-be visitors are kept from our shows on account of age, or inability to mount our stairs. Our treasury suffers in ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETOX. 11 consequence of such inconvenience, and the cheering influence that might be imparted to many whose lives are confined to a city home is lost. I would not call to your attention so publicly our deficiencies, as they appear to me, did I believe there was any chance of further detracting from the attendance in these quarters, but I consider that such detraction has been already discounted, and that the treasury has already suffered from these causes. A most valuable asset towards promoting the objects for which we are a chartered institution is the Library. My intimate con- nection with this department, as a member of its Committee for a number of years, has enabled me to see that its value is great for our purpose ; but the opportunities for using it and distributing- its usefulness, bear too small a proportion to its value. Its books are accumulating without shelf room to receive them, and are so filling up the floor and tables of the library and reading- room, and also the vacant space on the shelves behind the regu- larly shelved books, that the discouragements to use the library room are thus very great. For some reason, not quite clear, the heating apparatus seems to be beyond control in the library rooms in the colder season, and the high temperature is complained of by members. To accomplish the best results a reading-room should not be occupied by others than those having the delivery of its books in charge, while the reading-room and stack-room are combined, and be otherwise exclusively for readers. Where possible, a reading-room should be separate from the stack-room ; but this is more than we should expect. I feel that it is in the interest of advance in horticulture, so far as our Library can assist, that the minimum of work should be done in our reading-room, as at present constituted. The shelves are now overflowing with books, and I will sug- gest that it may be a waste of money to attempt to improve the Library accommodation in this location. To be of most use, our awards of prizes should be issued soon after the awards are made ; and the effectiveness of the essa3^s delivered is increased by early publication, when the Committee decide to print them. Lists of Library acqu^isitions are always hung upon our walls, and they, with the corrected list of members, can well wait until 12 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. the Secretary can issue them, which is not always possible until after considerable correspondence. Our publications should not be delayed for these two latter. The Secretary is required to keep copies of correspondence, but the custom of copying by hand can well be replaced by the use of the letter-press, and meet the constitutional requirement. The adoption of the modern method of shorthand and typewriting, by an assistant, would seem to promote both correspondence and copying, and leave more time for other necessary work. The Librarian controls the Library under the Library Commit- tee, and all directions should go through him as to all Library matters, in the same manner as is the case of our Superintendent controlling the building under the Finance Committee. I believe that a system of Bulletins in place of our Transac- tions might be found more beneficial ; and these could be placed upon our tables, or mailed to those who should have requested that such be done. There would then be no unreasonable delay in having useful information reach our horticulturists in good season. I ask the Committee on that subject to consider even a further reduction of the number of lectures, if that Avill secure the pres- entation of all in better form for the printer, from a financial standpoint. It has been suggested to me that semi-monthly lect- ures might be desirable. I consider that the Committee have full power to establish the number of lectures, and publish such as they may select, whether they shall be issued in Bulletin form or in the present form of Transactions. I believe that it has been in past years a custom Avith the So- ciety to offer prizes for Essays upon subjects to be given by the Committee, and such a method is named in our Constitution. A change to that form of secviring lectures might prove of value, by promoting increased interest. I submit these thoughts for consideration by the appropriate Committee. The safety of our Library now lies in insurance, and not in the building which houses it. ISTo library of such value as ours now possesses, could have been deemed possible when this building was erected ; if it had, the library room would probably have been constructed in 1865 in a manner different from a purely commer- cial building. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 13 It is supposed that the contents of a purely commercial build- ing can be replaced in case of loss with the money received from insurance. But such is not possible with many of the books in a valuable library such as is ours, which ranks very high, if not first of its kind. We are dependent for rental, above our first story, in this valu- able location, from our halls when they are not required for our regular exhibitions or lectures. In these we are greatly handicapped for two chief reasons. First of these is, that we have not suitable toilet and dressing rooms to make the halls as desirable as they should be for the best-paying uses, or, indeed, for any demands such as are in keeping with modern requirements. Second of these is, that by reserving our lower hall for our lectures on Saturdays, in January, February, and March, it is impossible to accommodate a certain class of applicants for its use, whose best receipts come by renting for a complete week, especially in the middle of the winter season. I present this phase to show that the ownership of so much space devoted to halls, such as are ours in this location, is unwise, with the adaptability to our needs so poor. During the past and previous years, several plans have been considered by your chosen Committee, which were presented to them with a view to improving the accommodations for our char- tered work, and which were estimated to yield fair revenue to promote that work. The alteration of the present building has been considered, but it appears that such action can only change the conditions, and better them but little, if at all. If changes are to be made, they should include radical and advanced improvements. A leading firm of architects, and a competent real-estate firm, upon request, freely submitted a plan for an entirely new fire- proof building upon this site, of the extreme height allowed by law, which would reserve the two upper stories for one hall (for all but our largest exhibitions), a two-story library and reading- room, with committee rooms separated by folding doors which would allow of their being thrown into one ; and afford other needed accommodations. The financial showing upon this plan appeared quite favorable to the Society when made. Tlie balance 14 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. of the building Avas planned to contain rentable stores and offices, with good elevators. Such a plan contemplated hiring a larger hall, or erecting a large tent, in the warmer season, for the larger exhibitions. It has been suggested that an exhibition in such a tent at Franklin Park, or in one of the new buildings being erected there, miglit be wise, if Avell advertised. Another firm of architects submitted a sketch for a building suited to a new, proposed site, if our present property could, in the opinion of our Committee, be sold advantageousl}', and a Avise purchase of land could be made elsewhere. Several locations were suggested, and considered in this connection. Conferences were also held Avith leading city officials, to ascer- tain Avhether it Avas likely that the city would favor this Society in selecting a neAV site in connection Avith the Park systems, or elsewhere, in view of the importance of its Avork to public interest. There are possibilities in this direction. I am told that in Philadelphia a ncAv and ample Horticultural Hall, and anterooms, is eitlier planned, or completed, that is hand- some and convenient for its exhibitions, and for large assemblies. This is located in the heart of the city, and readily accessible by street-cars, carriages, or on foot. I have deemed it Avise to present to you these facts and sugges- tions in advance of that time (soon, I hope) AAdien your Committee will find it Avise to present to you recommendations. It is fair that you should not be led by the idea that your Committee has been inactive, for the members Avho coinpose it have been mindful of the Society's interests and chartered duties. The subject is still under consideration, and your Committee can be trusted to act Avith Avisdom and Avith discretion. Before concluding Avith a summary of suggestions, in brief, I Avish to commend the volunteer Avork in the promotion of our duties by so many of our members. It is by no means only those who so freely give of their time to act for the Society, so usefully, in this building, and Avho deserA^e much credit for assisting in making our meetings possible ; but also the many other members, Avho constitute our useful and reserve force, Avho, at their homes and by their influence,. contribute largely to make the Society's influence felt for good. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 15 1 Avould commend the subject of useful and injurious birds, useful and injurious insects, the value of water in connection with the fertility of our soils, the general subject of Botany, the usefulness of books on these subjects in our schools as cultivat- ing the powers of observation, and the value of appropriately planted school yards, and home windows — all these, as worthy of promotion by the Society. All these subjects are greatly promoted by volunteer work. It is wise to make known to our members, and the public, methods to prevent the spread of all injurious pests, and Avliich will cause their destruction, so that such injuries shall not be allowed to multiply to such an extent as to become in any case public nuisances. Intelligence of the individual should prevent the necessity of calling for Government aid, by not allowing extreme cases to exist. Our Experiment Stations are established to help in this direc- tion, and are now well equipped. They have issued carefully prepared Bulletins for this purpose, and it is extraordinary how little heed is too often paid to the valuable advice contained therein. Even this city has not been exempt from this criticism lately. Let us remember the true motto, that prevention is always better than cure. Should it be decided to sell our building, we should endeavor to secure as convenient a location as possible, tliat we can grow up to, and where our hall shall be made accessible for the largest plauts possible of exhibition, with convenient anterooms for our purpose, with fire-proof, and suitable, enclosure for, and that shall encourage the use of, our valuable library. If we cannot soon find a way to wisely change, or radically improve, these quarters, I would advise a careful consideration of the removal of our library to a safe place of storage until accommodations are constructed in which it will be reasonably protected from fire. The use of modern methods and conveniences in the conduct .of our Avork, that shall make its usefulness effective, without unnecessary delay, should be adopted when such can be reason- ably done A high standard in our lecture courses, with fewer lectures, if 16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. deemed wise, which will guide us to advanced horticulture, are better than more lectures too hastily constructed. If subjects which will be of most benefit to our horticulturists are selected early and submitted for the careful study of those who ai*e at work for us in our Experiment Stations, combining science with practice, I am sure their professors will be glad to use our platform to make known their conclusions, and to meet our horticulturists in a mutual exchange of opinions afterwards. I am sure that your officers and committees are all most sincerely interested to promote our Avork in a way that will be most effective ; but I know that they are hampered b}- the condi- tions that now surround them. If I have appeared to have spoken at too great length, and to have spoken too frankly to the minds of any, I assure you that it is only with a view towards the best interests of what we are all here to work for. The address was received Avith applause, and on motion of Ex- President William H. Spooner it was voted that the President be requested to furnish a copy for publication. The following appropriations, recommended by the Executive Committee on Saturday, the 2d of jSTovember, 1895, came up for final action and were unanimously voted, viz. : For Prizes and Gratuities : For Plants For Flowers For Fruits For Vegetables . For Gardens $2,000 2,600 1,800 1,150 500 $8,050 Total for Prizes and Gratuities for the year 1896 For the Committee on Lectures and Publication, this sum to include the income of $50 from the John Lewis Kussell Fund 300 The Executive Committee further recommended the following appropriations, which Avere also unanimously voted, viz. : For the salaries of the Secretary and Librarian, and the Treasurer and Superintendent of the Building . . $3,000 For the Committee of Arrangements, this sum to cover all extraordinary expenses of said Committee . . 400 REPORTS READ, ETC. 17 For the Library Committee, for the purchase of maga- zines and newspapers, binding of books, and inci- dental expenses of the Committee .... $400 Tor the same Committee, to continue the Card Catalogue of Plates 100 For the Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums, this sum to cover all incidental expenses of the Committee, and to be paid through the usual channels ......... 250 The Executive Committee also reported the appointment of Oharles E. Richardson to be Treasurer and Sux^erintendent of the Building, and Robert Manning to be Secretary and Librarian for the year 1896. J. D. W. French, Chairman of the Commitee on Lectures and Discussions, announced the Programme for the present year, the course to begin on the next Saturday, when E. 0. Orpet, of South Lancaster, would read a paper on Hardy Garden Plants, which all were freely and cordially invited to attend. Robert Manning read his Annual Report as Secretary and Librarian. Charles N. Brackett, Chairman of the Committee on Vegetables, read the Annual Report of that Committee. Henry L. Clapp, of the Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums, read the Annual Report of that Com- mittee. A supplementary report was postponed to the next meeting. These three reports were severally accej)ted, and referred to the Committee on Publication. A vote of thanks to Waldo 0. Ross for his gift to the Library of forty-seven volumes of " Nature " was unanimously passed. Benjamin M. Watson moved the appointment of a committee to confer with the retiring President in regard to adding his portrait to the series of portraits of the Presidents of the Society. The motion was carried, and the Chair appointed as that Com- mittee, Mr. Watson, Desmond Fitzgerald, and C. Minot Weld. J. D. W. Frencli made the following motion : That the Com- mittee on Finance, in consultation Avith the Committee on the 18 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Library, be authorized to make arrangements for the storage of a portion of tlie books in some fire-proof buikling, to relieve the present crowrled condition of the shelves. This motion was carried. On motion of M. H. Norton the thanks of the Society were unanimously presented to the retiring President for the able and impartial manner in which he had j)erformed the duties of his office for the last three years. A letter was read from Hollis Webster, Secretary of the Bos- ton Mycological Club, expressing the thanks of the Club for the courtesy shown them by the Society, and hearty thanks for the generous hospitality extended. C. H. Ten^ney, of Methuen, and William Donald, of West Eoxbury, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for mem- bership in the Society, were on ballot duly elected. Adjourned to Saturday, February 1. MEETING FOR LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 11, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : Hardy Garden Plants. By E. O. Oepet, of South Lancaster. There is perhaps no need for one to apologize for appearing before a Massachusetts audience on the subject of this paper, for there is probably no other section of the United States Avhere this class of plants is so largely used and appreciated for deco- rative gardening. Our latitude is well adapted to their culture, owing to the heavy falls, during our average winter, of snow, which is the best of all protecting mediums, and to our summers not being so liot or so dry as in some other parts of the country. We have a climate adapted to grow plants that come from almost all parts of the world, and the possibilities of the hardy flower garden are as great as those of any other branch of Horticulture, HARDY GARDEN PLANTS. 19 if well studied and the wants of the plants supplied with intel- ligence. To begin at the root of the matter, as it were, one thing has often struck me as being absolutely necessary to success, and that is a good preparation for the purpose intended. If one intends to plant a tree it is generally conceded that the operation should be the event of that tree's history in that garden. Whether it be for beauty or utility, there should be careful preparation of the soil, and even more careful choice of situation, since there is to be no more change once the tree is in place. The making of a border for hardy herbaceous and bulbous plants is likewise a permanent matter, for most of these never succeed so well as when left alone and allowed to get deep foothold in the place assigned to them. Changes of a minor nature there must be in the natural order of things, but these can be made without an undue upheaval, for it will take a j^ear or two for a complete recovery to vigor and profuse bloom. To secure the best results a soil of good depth, with a good supply of natural moisture, and free from the influence of large tree roots is the ideal position for the cultivation of these plants, and, given these conditions, there are unlimited possibilities, and a place where flowers can be gathered from April to Xovember. The soil ought to be dug for at least two feet in depth and made rich at starting, for it is well to keep in mind at all times that a border of this kind. should never be dug with spade or fork after being once planted, for, given all the knowledge that pertains to the subject and all possible skill with the implement, it is not possible to dig in among plants of this nature Avithout injuring more or less of them, and this again emphasizes the need of a good preparation beforehand. If it is desired, after the lapse of years, to fertilize to keep up the necessary vitality, it can always be done in the way of top-dressings in autumn, after the advent of cold sufficient to make all dormant for the winter. These top- dressings should consist of well-decayed material that will be easily assimilated by the plants in the spring, and the luxuriance of the returning foliage will cover the whole so that there will be no objectionable appearance in the beds. It is not my intention to give a list of plants that are suited to this kind of gardening : these can be had from any good cata- logue, and their habit and time of bloom also ; but it has seemed 20 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIKTY. to me well to note some that are not specially desirable in a general way. We hear too little of failures ; people do not always care to chronicle them, but it is a pity, for nnich can be learned from them. Some plants seem to have the ability to appropriate a good deal more than consists with the well-being of others sur- rounding them. Such is the case with Achillea serrata, some- times also called The Pearl, for, given a small plant to start Avith in the spring, it will by fall have taken to itself a square yard of soil area, and is, besides, a most difficult thing to dig out of other plants. The smooth-leaved Sunflower, Ilcllanthus Icevis, I have been trying to eradicate for five years in our own borders, but we seem to be as far away from the desired end as ever. It is a decidedly decorative subject in its season, but as it flowers when so many similar plants are in bloom, it is almost impossible to avoid some that are in bloom, and a crop of seed is matured that will make its perpetuity sure. The pretty Anemone Pennsyl- vanica I have also begun to think is impossible to get rid of, for the more one digs the more it spreads. The variegated form of ^gojyodium Podagniria, the Bishop weed, is sometimes offered in lists, but a more troublesome weed does not exist ; it has cost thousands of dollars to dig it out in Central Park, New York, and when visiting the famous gardens at Belvoir Castle last summer, the gardener told me that ever since he took charge he had kept two men doing little else than digging out this weed. And so this list might be added to, and made mucli longer ; but the moral is, a place for everything, and everything in its place. If such subjects Avere rigidly kept in the wild garden we should hear less complaint as to the ragged appearance of this class of plants, and there Avould be much less misery for the cultivator. Even among what are undoubtedly regarded as desirable subjects for all borders, there are many that are too apt to increase at the expense of those with less vigor, and these must be checked at all times if the desired harmony is to be maintained. In our case we like to plant thickly at the outset, using plenty of the sorts easily raised from seed, to cover the space quickly, and thin these out as the better plants take hold, and gradually work out tlie desired effect. We have also found that in various situations, plants behave differently, each locality suiting some one or other better than Ave knew, and these have to be lifted and re])laced in a more fitting position to preserve the balance of HARDY GARDEX PLANTS, 21 the whole. This, as indeed all planting of hardy plants, is best done early in the fall, about the time the heavy rains begin ; the earth has not then lost its warmth, moisture is present to enable the young roots to take hold quickly, and in most cases there will be no reason the next year to suppose any change has been made as far as the health of the plant is concerned. Spring planting is unwise in many ways, always supposing one has the other alternative ; we all have enough to do in sining, dealers included, and I have invariably found that we could procure better stock in fall than in spring, and could rely on getting it in a condition fit to plant, whereas in the spring, in sending to a distance, perhaps we get plants that have been in the best con- dition to plant a month before our ground was free from frost. It is at all times desirable to get all the work done that we can in the fall, to avoid the spring pressure at home. Lilies should most surely be planted in the autumn, and also Narcissuses and other bulbs. It does seem sometimes that Lilies are not appreciated as they deserve in our outdoor effects. At Kew last summer I was impressed with the freedom with which they were planted, not alone in their natural order, but among beds of low-growing shrubs and evergreens, especially Rhodo- dendrons. The effect was very beautiful at the time of my visit, and would be for the greater part of the summer, as the various species came into bloom. We can grow these beautiful plants here with as great or greater success Japan Lilies are well adapted to our climate here in the East- ern States, and with few exceptions are permanent garden plants. This is easily explained by the fact that our territory east of the Alleghanies is identical in extent and latitude with that of Japan the climate also being very similar, having the same extremes of heat and cold, so that plants from the East thrive here much bet- ter than in Europe. To illustrate, I was much surprised to see at KcAV last summer large numbers of Hydrangea 'panicAilata grown in pots in the greenhouses, and, on asking the reason, was told that they could not flower them unless the growth was ripened up indoors. We ought to see more Lilies planted here in gardens ; they are impatient of a dry soil in summer, or of one in which moisture is superabundant in winter, but in ordinary gar- den soil they thrive with great success. The best of all positions is among the Rhododendrons, and here we can have a succession 22 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. that come on one aftei- another until September frosts. The shade afforded by the Rhododendrons gives a cool soil at all times, and a slight protection from late spring frosts to the young shoots, and in fall the leaves placed about the roots of the Rhododen- drons give a sure and safe guard against severe cold, and also keep the bulbs from starting prematurely. There was a time when it was regarded as an astonishing feat to flower L ilium giganteum in the outdoor garden, but in such a position as that named, there is no difficulty in not only flowering it for one season, but in growing and increasing the plants indefinitely, and when well grown and flowered, there is no other Lily, and very few hardy plants, that can approach it in its majestic vigor. I have seen the flower stems orer ten feet high in the garden of Hon. John Simpkins, at Yarmouthport ; his were strong, well-es- tablished clumps, and perhaps the finest ever seen in cultivation. There is no reason why this Lily cannot be grown in any garden, but care must be taken in procuring bulbs that are true to name. We have been sadly mistaken once in being supplied with bulbs of L. cordifolium for the true L. giganteum. There is also another Himalayan lily of tested hardiness here in Massachu- setts ; I refer to L. suljihureum, or Wallichiannm su/perhum as it is more often called, though not so correctly. This is one of the most lovely lilies there are, and the specific name " sulphureum " aptly describes the soft yellow interior of the large flowers. Although it comes from the Himalayas, it is as hardy as L. tigri- num, and, like the old Tiger Lily, produces little bulbs from the base of each leaf. We have about three dozen nice young bulbs, almost as large as a hen's Qg^, these being onty a year old, and most of them will flower next summer if permitted. This lily used to be rare and costly, but it has recently been propagated in this country to a large extent, and will soon be as cheap as other varieties. It seems to me that we have too often been inclined to con- sider these and other plants tender, and coddle them in the greenhouse for lao other reason than that they come from the East Indies, forgetting all the time that it is not merely latitude or longitude that concerns us as cultivators, but altitude. If we give but a moment's thought it is reasonable enough ; we get Orchids from directly under the Equator that require the coolest possible treatment in greenhouses, and no doubt there are plenty IIAKDY GARDEN PLANTS. 23 of plants there also that are hardy enough here outdoors, and a reading of the account of Whyiuper's ascent of Chimborazo makes one wonder all the more that they have not been seen in cultivation. While on the subject of lilies, there is one from Central China that will be a decided gain to our gardens when it is more plenti- ful. I refer to L. Henryl, which, as seen at Kew last season, is most distinct, vigorous, and free-flowering. I saw plants that were •eight feet high, and bore over thirty of the uniform apricot yellow blooms to a stem; this may not be the maximum number, but it has been attained gradually ; each year more strength has brought more bloom and no signs of deterioration have been apparent, and there is every reason to believe that it is as good as it is beauti- ful. L. auratum platijphyllnm is another good garden lily that is not common ; it seems to be a well-marked form of L. auratum, ■with very broad foliage — as broad as that of L. specios^un, and like that species, it will thrive indefinitely in the border, the bloom being almost identical with that of L. auratum. The Japanese seem now to appreciate that these rare forms are worth ■cultivating for export, and we can now obtain them at a very reasonable rate. L. auratum platijphyllum, or, as it is often called, L. auratum viacrantham, is one of the finest lilies for the garden, and indeed has been called the " King of all Lilies." No garden seems to be complete in the early spring months without a selection of Narcissuses, and, taking the best of these, there are few more reliable bulbs for garden use. Of recent years there has been a revival in Narcissus culture that has amounted to a craze, and it has resulted in the production of garden hybrids and forms innumerable. Collectors have also been sent through Southern Europe in search of those that are less known. These two facts need emphasis, for they are fraught with considerable meaning to American cultivators of the Nar- cissus. We have during recent years made an extensive trial of most of these new introductions, especially those of Spanish origin, and we find that after flowering the first year they dwin- dle away and rarely succeed in gardens ; indeed, of the many that we have had, such as Johnsonii, Queen of Spain, Saragossa, Santa Maria, King Hum1)ert, Pelayo, and others, it is safe to say that not one bulb remains ; V)ut though we have not the bulbs, we have the knowdedge, and this was the primary reason why they 24 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. were planted — to find out which were reliable and most desirable. On the contrary, taking those of hybrid or garden origin, there are few indeed that Avill fail in American gardens, and by a for- tunate coincidence these are by far the best Daffodils. There are raisers today who cultivate and hybridize Narcissuses as carefully as the raisers of hybrid Orchids, the pedigree is as carefully recorded, and all pains taken to improve the race. The reason is simple enough, for there is very little credit or profit in giving to the Avorld such as are not of easy propagation and of vigorous constitution. If they lack these two requisites, we never see them disseminated, and we conclude that all Nar- cissuses of garden origin are vigorous. There is a phase of Narcissus culture that is too rarely seen in American gardens, and that is naturalized among grass in semi-wild or shady places. The Poet's Narcissus, and the numerous forms that have alle- giance to it, all the incomjyarabilis section, and in fact all that have flowers of starry outline, look best and thrive well when planted among grass that is not too rank-growing ; and even if this has to be cut off about midsummer, at haying time, the foliage will be ripening off then, and no injury will result from cutting off the tops at that time. There is also less liability to decay from the dreaded base rot than when cultivated in rich soil in borders, though I am inclined to believe that Ave shall never have so much trouble from this source as is experienced in European gardens. We have never had an authentic case of it in our garden ; what was feared at one time to be a case, was simply the deterioration before-mentioned of kinds that were unfitted to the climate. For cutting for indoor decoration there are few to excel such as Empress, Horsfieldii, Michael Foster, and William Wilks, all of which are bicolors and bloom in succession. Countess of Annes- ley, Emperor, Sir Watkin, Princeps, and Golden Spur are all of the larger-flowered yellow varieties, and to these may be added the incomjKirahilis and Barrii sections that are so plentiful in varie- ties, but prove to be well adapted to our climate. We have always preferred to keep these bulbs out of the mixed or her- baceous border proper, and keep them in a separate border, which in summer is planted with annuals for cutting purposes ; these sliade the soil from the burning sun in summer and give also a double croi), as it were, from the sanie piece of ground. The ^ HARDY GARDEN PLANTS. 25 Narcissuses are planted in rows sixteen inches apart, and tlie annuals, such as Stocks, Asters, Mignonette, and like subjects, are set out between each row, and these are gay in late summer and autumn. When these annuals are cleared off after frost, a top-dressing is given all over the beds, and this is all the fertil- izer they seem to require. The Narcissus will not thrive indefi- nitely in the same spot wath the same vigor as when lifted every three years and sorted in sizes, replanting them after the soil has been enriched to a good depth. The best time to lift is at the dying off of the foliage ; the roots are then found to have died off too, except in the Poeticus section, which seem never to be wholly inactive. It is, of course, quite in keeping with a herbaceous border to have clumps of Narcissus mixed in here and there along the margin, and where but few are grown, this is, perhaps, the most desirable way, but where there is a collec- tion of many varieties, it is preferable to have them where labels will not be disturbed and where each kind is near the other for comparison. I am anxious to say a word or two in favor of the various Tulips other than those generally used for anassing for color effects. There are a number of genuine species of Tulips that are most beautiful in the mixed border, and they have also greater vigor and taller habit, and grow on for any number of years without deterioration. Tulipa Gesneriana may be taken as the type of these late-flowering kinds, and there are few bulbs that give such rich coloring as this ; it is rich without being gaudy. Then there is the Horned Tulip, T. cormita, Avith petals that narrow^ out to a point ; T. Greigi, with its rich colors and prettily spotted leaves ; T. vitellina, a pure yellow; and so we may go on to the number of fifty or more species that are not often seen cultivated, but some of Avhich are real gems for the rock garden, being of dwarf habit and liable to be spattered by rain if planted on the level ground. You have no doubt heard of the so-called Darwin Tulips. This is only a new name for the old-time Breeder Tulips of the Flemish and English raisers ; they were so called because from these were selected the kinds that were considered good enough for naming. The Tulip craze has mostly died out, but the lovely colors of this section give them a charm that is peculiar, and rarely tires ; rich dark velvety colors predominate, yellows being absent ; no two are alike if bought in mixture ; 26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. their steins are erect, stiff, and admirably adapted for cutting. With us they flower at the end of May, and we have found that they like a soil which is not liable to dry out, as the quality of the bloom suffers in dry soil. It is advisable to plant these tulips in small groups of six or eight, and it will be found that each year the -quantity of bloom is about doubled from each clump and they are altogether most satisfactory. Another beautiful hardy plant which is not common, but is perfectly reliable, is Ereimirus rcbiistus. I know of no other that will give the same effect except the Verbascums, and tliese are not really hardy. The E. rohustus throws up a spike from five to six feet high, and for the greater part of its length covered with pale pink flowers which open in quick succession, so that the greater portion is in bloom at the same time. The foliage is prostrate or nearly so when full grown, and soon dies off after blooming, which it does at midsummer. It is one of the noblest of garden plants, so far as our experience goes — not easy to raise from seeds, for very little seed is matured, but once planted, there is no fear of losing it. There is another species, E. Himo/- lalcus, which has grown well each year, and we hope to see it bloom this coming season. Mr. Veitch tells me that it is beautiful as seen growing in its home, and is the most beautiful of the genus. There are several other species, but we have no positive knowledge yet as to their hardiness. The place where they are planted should be well marked, or better still, group them together, as the foliage dies off soon after flowering, and some other plants of annual duration may be used to cover the ground. It is not my province to speak of Annuals as a class at this time, but it is tolerably certain that we cannot do without them in the mixed herbaceous, or whatever other name is given to the border. There is sure to be a scarcity of bloom in July and August, if perennials are relied upon to give a continued effect, for there are so many and varied subjects used in this work, which start early and die off soon after bloom is past, as, for instance, the Oriental Poppies, Mertensia, all bulbs, and more that might be named. The gaps which they leave in the arrange- ment are not pleasing. It is an easy matter to dot in Zinnias, Asters, Stocks, or even taller-growing annuals, to nmke good the deficiency, and to give a greater profusion of bloom. HARDY GARDEN PLANTS. 27 Anotlier point worth naming in this connection is the desirabil- ity of having a permanent backing to tlie borders, if they are ex- tensive, or especially if wide. Ours are twelve feet wide for most of their length, and give scope for the tallest plants there are ; but to each border there is a single belt of either Rosa Rugosa, Pyrus Jajyonica, Hydrangea paniculata, or Syringa .(Lilacs), each used separately, and this gives a stability to the effect that would not exist otherwise. In the early summer months before the tall Larkspurs, Sunflowers, Asters, and Boltonias get up high enough to serve as a background, we have these ea.rly flowering shrubs in bloom, and the effect is greatly enhanced. Another feature — perhaps the most striking of all — is when in late summer the long belt of hardy Hydrangeas is at its best. This is kept well pruned down, and the shoots are thinned out when they start, to give size to the panicles of bloom. I suppose most of you have the Dictamnus Fraxinella ; it is well known for its inflammable qualities, but it is not so well known for its poisonous properties. A neighbor last summer had severe eruptions on his arms, and the family physician, a man of long experience, could not diagnose the case, but before admitting this, he very nearly decided it was a case of small-pox, and it also transpired that this poisonous property was not accredited to the plant in his reference books. Being so common in gardens, and so frequently handled when in bloom, its most virulent period, it cannot be too Avell known that it is a dangerous thing to handle, as T found out years ago when saving and cleaning seeds. To those wlio have the requisite location, there are few more interesting features of outdoor gardening than that styled the Eock G-arden. I saw two of the best examples of artificial con- struction last summer tliat perhaps are to be seen, and it seemed to me that we might do more of it here. We are limited to a comparatively few plants in our climate ; the exquisite Saxifrages of the European Alps, the Primulas, Androsaces, Ramondias, Cyclamens, and many of the plants they use abroad will not succeed here, and for that matter some of our choicest Rocky Mountain Alpines absolutely refuse to grow when brought from their high estate, but there are many that will succeed if given a little attention. A well-constructed garden of this sort has a most charming effect when the Moss Pinks, Columbines, and various spring-flowering bulbs are in bloom. It is at all times 28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. advisable to see that the strong do not crowd out the weak, and in this kind of planting it is not possible to use the hoe, and seedlings are sure to appear in abundance, often to the exclusion of the choicest plants. This is true also of borders, and we find that in a short time the best Larkspurs and Phloxes seem to revert to original types, and Coliimbines hybridize out of recog- nition ; but it is all explained by the fact that seedlings are too numerous, and, until they bloom, have much the same appearance. I am inclined to think the Aquilegias are not strictly perennial ; they flower for a year or two, and then disappear. I think this is true also to some extent with all plants that have not a tuber- ous or bulbous root. We all know how difficult it is to keep the true Rocky Mountain Columbine, or the Siberian Arjailegia glandulosa ; this all means that we must have a reserve border, where a few plants can be isolated for seed, and the seedlings grown on to fill up losses, or we can test some doubtful plant and propagate desirable ones. There are many reasons which make a place of this description desirable that will occur to all. Most hardy plants are easily raised from seed, and a seedling plant that is healthy, even though it has never bloomed, is preferable in the long run to any other ; there is no serious check in transplanting, neither has it been weakened b}" flowering. The best time to sow seed would be as soon as gathered ; but we usually have too much hot weather at that time, and it is best to wait until a cooler time in fall. If there is a greenhouse at dis- posal, they can be sown at any time during winter ; but I much prefer to get them large enough to be able to winter them over in cold frames, where they do not start much earlier than they would outdoors, and they can be placed in their permanent posi- tions as soon as the ground permits. On the other hand, such as have been grown in the greenhouse need as careful hardening off as if not hardy, for they are made as tender as any plants by their treatment indoors. If any of the seeds fail to germinate, though they are known to be fresh, it is well to put them in a cold place where the soil can be frozen well for a Aveek or two. This seems essential to success Avith some, such as Ar/uiler/ia Stuarti, A. glandulosa, Anthoricums, Hellebores, Clenuitises, Rosa rvgosa, and many others that would germinate a few at a time for years, but will co)ue u[) simultaneously if the freezing HAKDY GAEDEN PLANTS. 29 process is adopted, and herein is one of the main advantages of sowing early in the fall. Discussion. Mr. Orpet said that Aster JSfocce Anglke becomes a weed in the garden. Professor B. M. Watson asked what success had been obtained with Lilium auratuvi. Mr. Orpet answered that it was impossible to make it grow more than two years, but as it is so cheap we cannot complain of the necessity of renewing it. Nathaniel T. Kidder inquired about Tulipa Greigi. Mr. Orpet said he had grown it for live years, and considered it one of the best of spring plants. In answer to several questions by F. L. Temple, Mr. Orpet re- plied that double Delphiniums, such as named French varieties, often die the first winter after importation, but seeds saved from these varieties and sown produce a large percentage of double forms, and these are good permanent garden plants. Aquilegias, too, often act in like manner, dying after the first flowering, and are best taken care of when seeds are saved from the best forms and species and sown each year. Hehnium autumnale is desira- ble as a plant for the back border. He never knew the Oriental poppy to winter kill. Gaillardias, however, are hardy perennials which disappear after a short time. The double Lychnis chalce- donica is a grand plant to grow in masses. It has been thought to be new to cultivation, but was advertised in catalogues in 1832. He never knew it to grow four feet high ; generally it is only two. As the double L. cholcedonica does not produce seeds, it must be propagated by means of the suckers made at the base of the old flower stems ; these may easily be rooted, but should be wintered over in a cold frame until spring before planting out in the oi)en ground. Lychnis vespertina fl. jjI. is more beautiful and easier to propagate. Mr. Temple stated that he had had a form of Lychnis ves- pertina fl. jjI. that had flowers as large as a Carnation, and it was sent out as a new and beautiful form. J. Woodward Manning said that the Double White and Double Scarlet I^ychnis chalcedonica grow from three to three and one- half feet in America. He also spoke of the Gaillardias, which are true perennials in England, but have the unfortunate habit 30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. of tlying out in the centre of the crowns yearly, and for that reason are hardly to be depended upon in our climate. Mr. Orpet said that JNIr. ^Manning was perfectly correct in re- gards to Gaillardias, but thought they should be grown if they flower only one year. Alstrccmena aurea is perfectly hardy, and becomes quite a weed in Ehododendron beds. Lychnis Haageana is a perennial which lasts for several years, and then dies out. Mr. Temple wished to call attention to the practice of cutting back perennial border plants with a view to making a display late in the season, and Mr. Orpet stated that in one of the places he had had charge of, the family did not reside there until late in the season, and to produce a late display it was a regular practice to cut back Phloxes, Delphiniums, Heleniums, Silphiums, Asters, and all plants of like growth, so as to produce a late effect from plants that ordinarily would be past their prime. M. H. Norton stated that by cutting back roses, and keeping the ground moist, they can be kept in bloom during the whole summer. Mr. Kidder noted that herbaceous plants are comparatively free from insects. He spoke of a new and very destructive insect found on Anemone Japonica, and asked if others present knew it. Mr. Orpet had seen the same insect on Baptisia, and expected to find it on everything next year. Rose-bugs go the whole round of the garden. As to alum dissolved in water, which had been recommended as a remedy for rose-bugs, an ounce to two gallons of water had proved ineffectual. J. H. Bowditch asked about Aquilegias, which were raised from seed, and succeeded for a few years ; then there seemed to be a borer which destroyed them. IMr. Orpet said that plants grow to an exceptionally vigorous state in gardens and are then more liable to rot. He never had much difficulty in transplanting Aquilegias, except A. (jlancUdofia: it is very difficult to make this species live after removal. The best way is to raise from seed, and set out from pots ; then they will live four or live years. Professor^ Watson had found that hand picking is the only absolute remedy for the black beetle which eats Anemone Japonica and Clematises. This must be done early in the morning. Bor- deaux mixture made very weak has proved successful. Mr. Manning said that cut-worms and angle-worms enter into CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 31 the crowns of Aquilegias and Delphiniums, and do much damage, as also is the case with the wire-worm, to a certain extent. Mr. Orpet agreed with Mr. ]Manning, and added that all our native species of Aquilegia are very beautiful, and should be raised from seed saved from plants growing in isolated places, owing to the facility with which the species hybridize. In speak- ing of so-called perennial plants, he said that they are not all strictly perennial naturally. MEETIXG FOE LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 18, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appletox, in the chair. The following lecture, provided by the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, was delivered : Conservatism ix Scientific Agriculture. By Professor W. H. Jordan, Director of the Maine State College Agricultural Experiment Station, Orono, Maine. The American Agricultural Experiment Station is this year twenty years old ; the American College of Agriculture is older. During at least a quarter of a century the teacher and investiga- tor, to a greater or less extent, have been active in this land of ours in their efforts to illuminate the business of the farmer with the beneficent light of Science. Their success has not been startling, though great enough to justify the effort. Inexperience, imperfect knowledge, the immense labor of successful teaching and investigation, prejudice, the inertia that always attends any educational movement, all have conspired to render the attainment of the ultimate object, viz., a more rational practice of agriculture, slow and difficult. From one point of view, however, a great deal has been ac- complished. Generous endowments, both State and National, expended by a large body of trained workers, an enlightened thought, and an improved farm practice testify not only to past achievements but to present effort on a scale that is truly marvelous. 32 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. We may possibly gain courage for our work and faith that the future has its triumphs, and we shall certainly properly introduce our subject, if we gather up into a brief summary a statement of the resources that are now being applied along various lines, to the betterment of agriculture. According to official statistics there were in 1894 sixty institu- tions in the United States maintaining courses in agriculture. The faculties of these institutions included one thousand six hundred and forty-three persons, who were using annually nearly four and a half millions of dollars in the instruction of over twenty-one thousand students, about one-fifth of whom are regis- tered in the Course in Agriculture. In the same year the Experi- ment Stations numbered fifty-five, fifty-one of them receiving Government aid. These stations were officered by five hundred and seventy-seven persons, who were using annually in various ways nearly a million dollars. They published in the year ]uen- tioned fifty-four annual reports and four hundred and one bulle- tins, and distributed this literature to half a million persons who are either directly or indirectly interested in agricultural affairs. It appears, then, that the time of perhajjs two thousand persons,' and the outlay of five and one-half million of dollars, are annually being applied to education and investigation, largely that the farmer may know more and do better. It is wortliy of remark in passing that of this large sum of money, over two and a quarter million dollars are a direct gift from the national Government. Not all of the expenditure for the maintenance of student instruction in the land-grant colleges is used in teaching agriculture, but a generous proportion is — much larger than is indicated by the percentage of agricultural students. In addition to this national aid to agriculture, which surpasses that ever provided b}^ any other nation, a majority of the States have established boards of agriculture and have arranged by law for the public instruction of farmers, either through what are called farmers' institutes or by means of migratory schools, such as the dairy schools of New York. We have no means of esti- mating the time and money thus utilized quite directly for the popular education of the agriculturist, but their amount is large. This, then, is the situation : Agriculture along with other industries is recognized in our higher institutions of learning I Some who are engaged in teaching are also station workers. CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 33 both by elaborate courses of study and by liberally endowed departments of investigation ; a great mass of literature dealing with the scientific and semi-scientific phases of agriculture is being spread broadcast over the land ; a small army of public teachers, both official and self-constituted, are addressing audiences of farmers from the platform, on every subject that has even a remote relation to farming, and the agricultural press, not to be outstripped in this onward march of new theories and modern methods, is active in reviewing Experiment Station litera- ture and in presenting the views of a great variety of writers, including the scientist, the pseudo-scientist, and the so-called practical man. And so from all this probing for nature's secrets, this speaking and writing, this discussion of new theories and methods, some of which live but for a day, some of wliich become the vexed subjects of prolonged, earnest discussion, and some of which crystallize into practice, we have attained to an activity of thought, an elaborateness of treatment, and a complexity of detail concerning things agricultural, which present a marked contrast with the conditions that prevailed even twenty-five years ago. There is at least one complaint the farmers of the United States no longer have the right to xitter, which is, that they do not receive full recognition in the exercise of the paternal func- tions of the National and State governments, or in the growth of the means and methods of public education. Whatever may have been their motives, or the arguments which may have been so srrccessfully used in influencing their action, the rej^resentatives of the people have, in their exercise of legislative authority, dealt fairly generously with the industry that feeds us all. Our government may reasonably claim to have done its part up to the present time in the efforts that are being made to impart special education and to discover needed truth. The question which must come to the workers in College and Station with great force and meaning is : Are we justifying this great use of time and money by what we are accomplishing? Is this tremendous activity that we are putting forth being directed along tlie right channels ? Are those who are teach- ing and investigating and who are speaking through the press or from the platform, fully recognizing the real needs of agri- culture ? 34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. It has seemed to me that on this occasion, in the year u^liich marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the first American Experiment Station, it is entire!}' fitting to ask these questions, and to discuss our relation to their future satisfactory answer. It is not my purpose at this time to attempt a statistical enu- meration and discussion of our appliances for education and investigation, or to undertake a detailed criticism of the methods in vogue in the College and Experiment Station. I do propose, however, to call attention to certain general considerations which I believe should have a controlling influence in the development of class-room and popular instruction, and in the various lines of experiment and investigation. The subject that is set for discussion is. Conservatism in Scientific Agriculture, whicli perhaps needs a preliminary defini- tion as indicating the lines of thought which it is proposed to follow. The conservatism for which I would contend is that which is induced by a recognition of three truths : First. The proper cultivation of the man is fundamental to the safe development and right use of material resources. Second. The education, that in agriculture is primarily im- portant, proceeds from instruction in the relations of matter and energy and in the scientific facts and principles which enter into and environ life, rather than in imparting the technics and manual skill of the farm. Third. Substantial progress in any art must be based upon an accurate knowledge of underlying truths. Scientific Agriculture is commonly understood to be the prac- tice of agriculture in accordance with the known facts and prin- ciples of science, but in our discussion today we will understand it to include as well the various organizations and activities that are auxiliary to agriculture as the means of rendering it more rational. Our subject involves, therefore : (1.) The Experiment Station. (2.) College and School Instruction. (3.) The Farmers' Institute. (4.) The Press. (5.) The Farmer. COXSERVATISM IN SCIExYTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 35 These I understand to be the various agencies through which an organized effort is being made to convey to agricultural prac- tices the benefits of the exact knowledge we call Science. We will first consider, then, scientific investigation as a factor of modern agriculture. This is certainly the logical order, for we must discover truth before we can teach it. What relation does our subject bear to the work of the Experiment Station ? There exist, I believe, substantial reasons for the following assertions : (1.) Much of the experimental data and conclusions now being published by American Experiment Stations will not only fail to find a permanent and useful place in tlie records of scien- tific progress, but they have been so reached as to make error easily possible. (2.) The greatest obstacle to progress, or even safe procedure, in the art of agriculture, now existing, is an insufticient knowl- edge of foundation facts and principles. (3.) The two foregoing statements suggest the easy possi- bility of disappointment from any practice induced by Experi- ment Station influence when that practice rests as a superstructure upon unsafe or insufficient foundations. I desire to enlarge at some length upon these statements in order that my meaning may be plain. And I remark concerning the facts touched by the first state- ment that they are due in part to a cause which serves as a partial excuse for their existence. There has existed a natural but unreasonable demand on the part of the public for immediate practical results from Experi- ment Station work, and so from reasons of policy some have felt it to be necessary to rapidly promulgate conclusions with regard to this or that point in agricultural practice. In order to do this, experiments of a very practical character have been carried on — experiments, some of them, involving such large chances of error that safe conclusions Avere not possible. Many of the field tests of fertilizers, feeding experiments, and variety tests are of this class, and the records of them have already begun to find their way into that mass of rubbish which will remain forever buried. A satisfactory control of such experiments, so that their 36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. apparent outcome may represent the truth, is exceedingh' diffi- cult, and even under the best of conditions much repetition and care are necessary to prevent reaching erroneous conckisions. The discovery and establishment of a truth is no common- place task. It is not easy so to hedge about a new principle or fact with accurate data that it may be accepted with unreserved confidence, and it has often required years of enthusiastic devotion to scientific labor to accomplish this. These facts the unscientific mind does not apprehend, and so the public is inclined to expect Experiment Stations to reach safe results with the uniform certainty and regularity of a machine. We are fully convinced that we should have less commercial work, less of the extremely practical experiments, and more of elaborate and severe scientific investigation, — at least there is need that. there shall be less haste in the promulgation of con- clusions because of a more rigid inquiry into the basis upon which they rest. There is certainly one reason that every farmer ought to apx^reciate, why any conclusion which affects his business should be guaranteed by the most exacting inquiry, viz. : the business of agriculture cannot afford the delay or disaster Avhich may result from wrong conclusions. Could we have afforded to adopt the Babcock Test as the basis of commercial dairy work had not the facts fundamental to its use been well established ? Should it be proved that the diagnostic properties of tuberculin are not what a conservative opinion has claimed, — a result we do not fear — would it not be properly regarded as a great disaster for such a mistake to have been made ? AVe plead, therefore, for the con- servatism of exact scientific methods in our Experiment Stations and for a patient confidence on the j^art of the public in what may appear to be slow progress in the solution of Nature's problems. My second point touching Ex])eriment Station Avork relates to the imperative need for a better knowledge of those fundamental facts and principles which Ave think of as belonging to pure science. We are to some extent attempting to build a superstructure upon insufficient foundations. For instance, we are conducting feeding experiments with foods, the. nature and function of whose constituents we do not fully understand, and consequently CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 37 we often lack the data necessary to a proper interpretation of resnlts. Until we have a wider and more exact knowledge con- cerning tlie character and nutritive functions of the various compounds which we huddle together under the terms protein and nitrogen-free extract, we shall be handicapped in our attempts to solve problems in animal nutrition. Such investigations as Stone of Indiana is making on the non- nitrogenous compounds of foods, and workers in the two Con- necticut Experiment Stations, on the nitrogenous compounds of the cereal grains and on the functions and value of nutrients, will, I am sure, ultimately prove of much greater service to Agri- culture than that large class of experiments which have a more apparent practical application. It is worthy of note that the only investigations which have ■outlived a half or even (juarter of a century, and which have ex- erted a profound influence upon Agriculture as an art, are those of a severely scientific character, — investigations which were car- ried on in the laboratories of scientists w^ho little dreamed of the far-reaching influence of their labors. The men who have given to the word Science the great meaning and dignity which it now has, have been lovers of the truth for truth's sake, and I some- times fear that we as a people are not cultivating the spirit of the true investigator as we should. Is it true that our scientific labors are taking on a merely commercial aspect ? Are we ask- ing as the introduction to every j)iece of scientific work the ques- tion. How much will it be worth in dollars and cents ? For some, these questions fortunately can be answered in the negative. It is desirable, however, that the enthusiastic scientific spirit shall more thoroughly pervade our Experiment Stations, for we sorely need the inevitable outcome of such a spirit. While it is properly a function of the Station to show how existing knowledge may be utilized, by experiments which serve as object lessons, I believe a more important function at the present stage of knowledge is the discovery of laws and facts fundamental to agricultural methods, leaving the application to farm practice of much of this added knowledge largely with the mass of intelli- gent farmers, where, after all, it must generally be left. I affirm, then, that the conclusions derived from Experiment Station work should manifest a conservatism that is induced by severe and searching methods of experiment and investigation. 38 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Our attention will now be directed, towards the work of the schools. This is of prime importance, because here are to be trained the men who will be influential in determining the status of agriculture. The standing of any profession or business de- pends not so much upon the kind of work performed as upon the character and quality of the men engaged in it, provided, of course, that the work is honorable. If the social horizon of the tiller of the soil is narrow, it is not because he digs in Mother Earth, but is in jjart because of his inability to reach out to larger social and intellectual opportunities. While it is not to be expected that all the followers of any calling shall stand in the forefront of social and intellectual life, it is certainly true that if agri- culture is to maintain its proper dignity and influence among the world's great industries, politically and socially, it must number among its followers men of the same intellectual ability and wide range of vision that are found in other callings. Farmers have often complained that lawyers have chiefly legis- lated for them, but if this is true it is partly because they have not been shown their ability to determine their own political and social status. The conditions that make for supremacy in human society are not nullified or reversed as a favor to the farmer. At the same time that we recognize this fact we must admit another of equal importance, viz. : that the interests of agriculture, whether in legislation or in business and social conflicts, are safest in the hands of its own followers who are qualified by education and experience successfully to compete with opposing interests. For these reasons, then, we are anxious that the train- ing of the schools shall render the best possible service to agricult- ure in the preparation of its leaders. In order that this shall be accomplished, we must give place to a conservatism which recognizes the value of past experience in the means and methods of imparting a sound education. When the land-grant colleges were first organized, a popular notion pi-evailed that an entirely new order of education was to be established — tliat the matter and manner of the classical college were to be replaced by other subjects and other methods. The young man was to be trained to do rather than to think. The introduction into the curricula of these schools of such subjects as the modern languages, literature, and metaphysics, or even extended instruction in the sciences, was resented by many as CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 39 foreign to the spirit and purpose of the act which made these new institutions possible. Had such views prevailed, the cause of technical education would have suffered great harm. These extremists forgot, or never knew, that a man's mastery of affairs does not proceed primarily from memorizing a catalogue of material facts or froni manual skill, but rather from his capacity for severe and logical thought, and that a farmer's success is due not so much to his ability to plough a straight fur- row or his capacity for hard labor, as to that analytical power of mind whicli enables him to discern the right relation of things. To equip a man merely with the technics of the practice of agriculture would fall far short of preparing him for that larger social influence which is essential to leadership or the highest success. Fortunately, we believe, the four years' courses in agriculture, as now presented by our best institutions, include a fair pro- portion of general training subjects, combined with such a sequence of chemical, physical, and biological studies, that the faithful student not only attains a cultivated intellect, but is given a systematic insight into the Avorld of matter and of life with which he has to deal. Such courses represent the conserva- tive position, and are a logical result of the experience of the past. That they do not impart sound learning and can only meet the demands of an inferior scholarship I do not for an instant admit. It seems, however, that some who are interested in our land- grant colleges place a low estimate upon the educational value of Courses in Agriculture as they now exist. Certain recent utterances concerning this matter are like a dash of cold water in the face, to those who had come to regard the agricultural course in some of our colleges as the peer of any other found there. The most notable of these utterances is the address delivered last winter before the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture by the able President of the IS'ew Hampshire Agricultural College. I propose, in this connection, to criticise some of the main points of this address, because they are based upon what in my judg- ment is a serious misconception of tlie essentials of a four years' Course in Agriculture, and because in so doing I may be able to make clear the views I desire to present. Certain conclusions reached by President Murkland may be justly summarized as follows : 40 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. (1.) A " pedagogical form " is a " necessity for teaching any subject," meaning by pedagogical form a logical or progressive series of lessons. (2.) The Courses in Mathematics and Classics have taken on a fixed pedagogical form, whicli (inferentially) gives them a maxi- mum value as a means of education. (3.) Courses of study related to agriculture and to engineer- ing, especially the former, have suffered from lack of pedagogical form. (4.) Engineering, because so closely allied to mathematics, has found a pedagogical form " ready to its hand in the estab- lished form of mathematical teaching,'" and so is now taught in fairly satisfactory courses of study. (5.) Courses in Agriculture are in a present " practically inextricable" "confusion," because "with such material for teaching as is now available there is no perspective possible in teaching agriculture ; " . . . " and where no other science is involved there is nothing of that orderly sequence in the prog- ress of instruction which has made the classical education, and to some degree the scientific education, a process commanding respect." These latter statements are mostly quotations from the address under discussion, and are those to which I shall chiefly confine my attention. Dr. Murkland's strictures on the Courses of Agriculture that now exist are based in part on two assumptions : (1.) That agriculture is, or is susceptible of becoming, an in- dependent science, so that in classifying it for teaching purposes we may properly speak of " other sciences." (2 ) That the sciences, such as the chemical and biological, which we now recognize as somewhat "precisely formulated," are not a proper and essential part of a Course in Agricult- ure, and therefore chemistry, physics, and biology do not, and may not, properly lend their pedagogical form to teaching engineering. For myself, I cannot accept these assumptions. Agriculture is an art, and the Act of Congress of 1862 directed us to " teach the sciences related " thereto. To be sure we may speak of the theories of scientific agriculture as a science, but in order to CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 41 teach these theories as theories are taught in engineering courses we must give instruction not merely in " elementary chemistry " but in advanced chemistry, — the chemistry of the plant and ani- mal, than which none is more profound; and what is true of chemistry is true of other sciences in their relation to the agri- cultural course. iS"o student can be made properly to understand the facts of horticulture, of plant feeding, or of animal nutrition, until he is thoroughly grounded in the botanical, chemical, and physiological facts and principles underlying these subjects, and so, instead of teaching one science, we must teach several. I do not see how it will ever be possible so to coordinate into a single science, for teaching purposes even, the mutual relations of physics, chemistry, biology, and physiology to the art of Agri- culture, so that it will not be necessary to teach the individual sciences, unless the course in agriculture is made post-graduate. What then does the four years' course in agriculture become ? Simply the teaching of a collection of sciences, along those lines which lead up to, and involve, a discussion of their application to the art of agriculture. When, therefore, chemistry, physics, botany, and physiology are taught in this relation, they do not lose their identity, but retain the same logical order which they have when taught as pure sciences, and they lend to the course in agri- culture the teaching form which is considered so desirable. As a matter of fact, four years' courses of agriculture, as now offered by some colleges, at least, are really specialized courses in the sciences, differing from the ordinary scientific course by pointing out the applications of the sciences to an art. Are such courses a mistake ? Are they framed in accordance with false views ? I believe not, and this is the reason for my Ijelief : The real and important need of which the farmer is conscious, is for a knowledge of conditions, and not for methods or for skill in manipulation. When he clearly understands the reasons for that which goes on about him, the right method will appear. The difficulties lie with explanations, not with mechanical processes. And, besides, agriculture is not a business involving such delicate and intricate mechanical operations that attendance upon a college would be justified in order to learn them, although thfi modern dairy, the forcing house, and the fruit garden do require skill. But I venture to assert that no machines or practical methods have yet become available to the agriculturist, whose use the 42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL .SOCIETY. clear-brained inmates of our farm homes have failed to master. The spraying of fruit with fungicides and insecticides illustrates how readily the necessary manipulation was acquired when the reasons for these operations became evident. It is the explana- tion of phenomena, then, which the extended course of study should give in order that the farmer may know how to adapt himself to the varying and complex conditions which he meets in his work. The same educator, whose utterances I have called in question, has made other statements in his address which should not pass unnoticed. He declares that " arranging different courses of study, in a general agricultural course, is as nearly haphazard a process as anything can be in matters of instruction," and, that " certain text-books may be assigned to the senior year in one of these colleges, with absolutely no reason why they should not have been assigned to the freshman year, or, for that matter, to some year of the preparatory school course." It would have been gratifying if President Murkland had illus- trated this statement by specifying particular studies which are so devoid of relation to other subjects that their place in a course of study is in no way indicated, for then his meaning would be more clear. Did he have in mind the subject of tillage, which, unless considered in the light of the underlying principles of chemistry and physics, would be taught in a manner unworthy an extended course of instruction. Did he refer to the teaching of horticulture, Avhich, to be intelligently and systematically done, must be based upon a previously acc^uired knowledge of botany ? Did he mean the subject of plant nutrition, in which the instruc- tion is always halting and unsatisfactory, if the student knows no chemistry ? Or animal nutrition, to the proper consideration of which must be brought more than a smattering of chemical and physiological information ? I believe I am fairly familiar with the list of subjects that could properly be placed in a four years' course in agriculture, and I know of no one which does not seem to have its position as closely indicated as is the case with many mathematical and language subjects, and with some subjects the logical oj'der is almost imperatively fixed. Tlie statements and conclusions lead to a wide range of (piestions which we cannot discuss here. 1 will briefly notice one, however. Have the schools of lower grade and the short course in agricult- CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 43 ure, such as the " dairy course, " no justification? They are .abundantly justified both by what the four years' course has failed, and always will fail, to accomplish, and by the actual results which have followed their introduction. They are reach- ing young men who otherwise might never have had their thought stimulated to greater activity or their eyes fitted for larger vision. They are not ideal. They are not a full substitute for the four years' course, but I am of the opinion that as a means of carrying to the mass of farmers a higher appreciation of exact knowledge, they are likely to constitute the most efficient school effort that we are now attempting. I do most emphatically protest, though, against these briefer courses being regarded as an acknowledg- ment that the higher and fuller course lacks form and efficiency. The logic of such reasoning is not clear, and scarcely requires comment. Passing now from that phase of our subject which relates chiefly to the college professor and the investigator, let us con- sider the need of conservatism in the interpretation to the farm- ing public of its relation to scientific facts and theories. In this particular field of work, aside from the station bulletins, we have to do chiefly with the institute speaker and the editor. In order that the farmer may be instructed and helped, and not confused, these two popular teachers should display a con- servatism that is born of sound and adequate knowledge. Institute speakers as we now find them include men of a great variety of experience. Today we listen to the man of science and tomorrow to the man of practice, both of whom have their peculiar place and value. It is extremely desirable, however, that the one shall not attempt to occupy the province of the other. While there is an occasional scientist who is familiar with the methods of practice, and a few who till the soil that have a fairly wide range of scientific knowledge, the rule is that the one falls far short of expertness in the domain of the other. It is better that the specialist in some line of agricultural practice shall not feel called upon to furnish a scientific explanation of all that he does, and that the speaker who is expert mostly in some depart- ments of science shall not give too much free advice in regard to the details of farm work. Such a regard for the proprieties will tend to the establishment of greater confidence on the part of the public in those who appear in the capacity of teachers. 44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'. It is to be feared, moveover, that there is a tendency to gauge the value and efficiency of an institute speaker chiefly by his ability to amuso an audience, rather than by his credentials for sound and accurate knowledge. This is partly due to the fact that many audiences of farmers are better satisfied with amuse- ment than with an address Avhich requires close and earnest attention. It is certain, however, that just as Ave now confess the disaster due to the incapacity of religious teachers whose only claim to confidence is a satictified ignorance, so we can be sure that glibness of tongue is not all the qualification which teachers in Agriculture should possess. An error may be as effectually presented from the platform as a truth, but it is of vast importance to the hearer whether it be error or truth. A truth expressed in homely phrase is at least harmless and may be beneficial, but an error attractively uttered is always dangerous and may work injury. It is not an exagger- ation to declare that some very grotesque science has been pro- claimed at farm institutes by men who were out of their proper spheres of discussion, and who therefore lacked the exact knowledge necessary to accurate and reliable statements of a scientific character. This evil it is within the power of those who officially conduct public agricultural discussions to greatly remedy. We will now consider somewhat briefly the relation of the press to scientific agriculture. What the agricultural editor most sorely needs is not only a conservative mind, but the ability to discriminate between the true and the false, — an ability which does not proceed from a ready and attractive style of writing or from what we in, general term the art of journalism, but from a fund of information. The number of agricultural papers, and papers which have an agricultural page, that are offered to the reading public, is legion. To some of these the farmer is greatly indebted. They are con- ducted by competent men, who summarize for the readers the best knowledge and thought that are current. Some of them, however, present an aggregation of fact and theory which is without form or comeliness when viewed in the light of truth. Especially remarkable, and to the informed mind exasperating, is the hash so often found in the agricultural page of the religious newspaper, ])ut tlicre, we suppose, because the editor feels it his CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 45 duty to illumine a benighted agriculture at the same time that he rescues an erring soul. There is a great opportunity, though perliaps not yet a great demand, for men especially trained to be editors of agricultural newspapers. These should be men who possess the fundamentals of science and practice, and while they may not be experts in any one direction, they should be so well acquainted with the sources of knowledge and with the status of men and things that they can sift the chaff from the wheat. This is not a plea for ati aristocracy of knowledge based upon an orthodox training in school or out of school, or upon a re- quired assent to the recognized credo of science or practice. It is not to be expected that even men of acknowledged authority shall all bring their views to the same dead level, but it would be a relief if we could eliminate from public discussion those speakers and writers whose chief claim to a hearing is that they disagree with the accepted verdicts of science and practice, not because they have had the opportunity exhaustively to examine the foundations upon which these conclusions rest, but rather because, after a superficial observation of the surface of things, they are not able to reach the same conclusions. The theories which these pseudo-scientists weave out of the tissues of their own brains, though generally short-lived, may not only mislead, but do great harm by destroying confidence in the science that is worthy of the name. It may appear somewhat superfluous to suggest that there is need for conservatism on the part of the farmer, for he has been repeatedly pointed out as an example of excessive caution in the adoption of new ideas. Certainly he has sometimes assumed an attitude of even extreme reserve towards things scientific, and although the best farm practice furnishes abundant evidence that the discoveries of science have taken a firm hold upon the means and methods of agriculture, yet he is disposed carefully to ques- tion any new theories or change of practice that is presented to his attention. Such conservatism is wise. The farmer is receiv- ing a great deal of free advice from a variety of sources, which, as we have tried to show, is not always reliable, and until by inexpensive experiments, or by less expensive observation, he secures reasonable proof of the value of a new method or appli- ance, he does well to adliere to liis old and tried, wavs. 46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The peculiar characteristic pertaining to the farmer's conser- vative habit is that it occasionally suffers unfortunate and costly lapses. The owner of generous acres will often resist the teach- ings of science and experience, and will sneer at the advice of the ablest men in his own calling, only to grasp at the glib promises of the man he never before saw and of whose trustworthiness he knows absolutely nothing. We find in farm homes, as we find everywhere, a strange expect- ancy concerning things new and untried. Humanity has always been hoping that out of the land of magic would come the relief from the burdens of life, or the promise and fulfillment of great rewards from little effort. The fraudulent food and fertilizer, the patent medicine, and the wonderful business opportunity which offers a chance to get something out of nothing, all exist because of this unconfessed faith in the extraordinary value of the unknown. It is this credulity concerning things outside the farmer's ordinary experience that renders it so difficult to defeat the schemes which only defraud. It Avas not long ago that the farmers of Xew England paid forty dollars per ton for diatomaceous earth with which to strengthen the stalks of wheat. Even within a year some of our Maine farmers were almost convinced that a certain business concern had so interpreted Nature's methods that it had com- pounded a fertilizer of whose concentration of power the ordi- nary manufacturer of fertilizers never dreamed, and it was not easy to dislodge this half-formed confidence in a mixture possess- ing such unusual properties. Very recently, it was my own duty to warn the stockmen of my State not to put their trust in a certain class of foods, containing constituents of such pre- tended efficiency that their use would solve the difficulties of profitable stock feeding, by insuring the animals against disease and by stimulating growth and milk prodiiction to an unusual degree, and I have not found it easy to convince the public that the knowledge never possessed by the ablest veterinarians and that the food properties never discovered by science, nor revealed to previous human experience, are to be distrusted. Within the present year the efficient and courageous secretary of the Maine Board of Agriculture has had a sharp and prolonged contest with certain Western promoters, Avho for selfish reasons have been trying, with some degree of success, to convince the dairy- CONSERVATISM IX SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 47 men of Eastern Maine that through the investment of a generous sum of money they could accomplish results contrary to all business experience and the best knowledge, and he has found that he did not undertake an easy task. Gradually, to be sure, the agricultural public is becoming emancipated from the disas- trous influence of the schemer, but there is still need that the Experiment Stations and Boards of Agriculture shall hedge about with all possible safeguards that class of workers who lack the expert knowledge necessary for detecting the false. No one is infallible, no scientist has attained more than a very incomplete knowledge, and mistakes are a common experience, but we confidently assert that the highest realizations in agricult- ure lie in the conservative yet broadening influence of the scientific effort that is now being exerted in its behalf. Discussiox. In the course of his lecture Professor Jordan remarked that underlying all practical matters are principles touching matters of investigation and education. oSTo Experiment Station can ever exemplify, in that broad sense which is required, any new principle. Engineers make use of rules. A book of rules might be written which Avould be useful to this man but not to that. He had met six or seven hundred Maine farmers, and their ques- tions had not been how to hoe or shovel or rixn a machine, but, What is the reason for this or what is the cause of that ? In a six weeks' winter course, to Avhich any citizen might be admitted, thirteen boys attended, and were as eager for knowledge as the dry earth is for water. We cannot teach them everything, but can stimulate their thirst for knowledge. The course consisted of one hundred and twenty lectures. Benjamin P. Ware expressed a sense of appreciation of the lecture. He was glad the professor had recognized the duty of Experiment Stations to protect the farmers. There is a degree of gullibility by which they are often misled ; perhaps Yankees more than any other men hope to get something for nothing. The foundation of Experiment Stations was by reason of the imposition practised by manufacturers of commercial fertilizers. Earmers knew they must have something to add to their means 48 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. of fertilizing and jumped at the offer. Hundreds and thousands of dollars have been spent for ground oyster-shells and other worthless materials instead of ground bone. He rejoiced to know that though we have been so impatient for conclusions, and that Experiment Stations may have put forth premature results, yet they have effected great savings to the farmer. We now feed balanced rations to our stock ; formerly we attempted to make milk from hay alone, and grain was looked upon as an extravagant luxury, but things are different today. Plants re- quire balanced rations as well as animals, and Experiment Sta- tions have taught us how to provide them by chemicals in due proportion. Professor Jordan said that agriculturists are not the only class who need to attend to underlying principles. He was astonished at the ignorance of well-educated people in regard to common things. He spoke of a judge who would not recognize milk separated by separator as skimmed milk. He asked, How do we educate our farmers' wives ? The boys are sent to col- leges. Girls study mathematics, French, and the like, with only a little chemistry. When the new home is established, what does the mistress know ? A cooking-stove will floor her ; she knows nothing of bacteria or the effect of drafts of air, and puts food on the table of which she knows nothing. Children are less rationally fed than animals. A gentleman told of a neighbor who in making up rations for cows omitted cotton-seed meal, as he was feeding for milk and not for meat. The speaker asked Avhether cotton-seed meal produces garget. Professor Jordan answered that hundreds of farmers have been feeding cotton-seed meal for tAventy years. Garget is gen- erally caused by something wrong in the management of the cows. The gentleman said he knew of a man who bought a cow that had been quarantined ; he found her down, giving only eight quarts of milk daily ; she afterwards rose to fifteen quarts per day. There is much testimony against the use of tuberculin ; in many instances the value of cows has been lessened by the process. Professor Jordan said that quite extended experiments with tuberculin have been favorable. After nine months animals CONSERVATISM IN SCIENTIFIC AC4RICULTURE. 49 have been killed, and in each lung have been found encysted tubercles. A lady said she thought it very shocking that so many of these beautiful animals should be sacrificed. She told of the cures of human consumption which she had seen at her home in Colorado, where the air is so pure and the conditions are so much better than in these coast regions. They never have diseased cattle there, and she did not think it impracticable to send cattle there to be cured. Professor Jordan replied that he should like to place a few cows, with an incipient disease, under the conditions described. Mr. Ware spoke of a man who had a cow which he knew was tuberculous ; he sold her for ten dollars, and the purchaser took her to the commissioners, who paid thirty dollars for her. In another instance forty-five dollars was obtained for a twenty- dollar cow. Two years ago the owners got one-half the full value of healthy animals for all condemned ones. The law was amended, so that now the full value of a sound cow is paid ; this seems to be a premium for rascality. Thomas Harrison said that the commissioners are bound to compensate for the sacrifice of a cow for the public good. Henry L. Clapp remarked that the more farmers talk the more they show that they have an eye to the main chance, which is quite right, and asked if this was not an element in the conserva- tism of farmers. Professor Jordan answered that he thought Mr. Clapp had gone a little farther than he intended. In feeding or fertilizer experi- ments we are working with materials that we do not understand. He would not discourage the eye to the main chance. Mr. Clapp thought boys are wanted to go into business as soon as possible, and their parents do not consider their environment. MEETING FOE LECTUEE AND DISCUSSION. Satukday, January 25, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion Avas holden at eleven o'clock, the President, Fraxcis H. Appleton, in the chair. The following is an abstract of a paper read by the author : 50 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Stove Plants ix their Native Tropics. By Professor George L. Goodale, of Harvard University, Cambridge. In the language of horticulturists, stove plants are those Avliich require a higli degree of heat and moisture for their most thrifty growth and their best estate. Without any exception worth men- tioning, such plants are natives of the tropics, and it is the endeavor of cultivators to give them conditions of a tropical cli- mate. But it must be clearly understood that within the tropics there are two distinct types of climatic conditions : one character- ized by abundant moisture in the soil and atmosphere, and the other by great aridity. In fact, some of the larger deserts lie within the tropics, and yield to our greenliouses only a few plants from their oases. It is jnerely the difference in the amount of water that makes the difference between any oasis and the sterile waste around it. It is, therefore, only with the plants which are native to the moist parts of the tropics that we have to deal when we examine the vegetation that we confine to our hothouses or '' stoves." Near the equator there is a somewhat irregular and interrupted belt, which runs as a zone around the very warm, moist parts of the earth, and within this zone there is a nearly equable climate. North and south of it there is a dry season, followed by a rainy one, but in the equatorial belt one day is much like every other through the year. The temperature at night is always high enough to insure the best conditions for the growth of plants, and thus to utilize to the best purpose the materials which the green foliage has been preparing during the hours of daylight. Green plants are so many factories for the manufacture of starch and other food and building matters in their structure, and this work goes on only in the light. The only materials needed in this work are carbon-dioxide, commonly called carbonic acid, and water, with small traces of mineral substance, such as salts of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, together with more or less nitrogen. It is plain that in the tropics, as in our best managed stoves, plants are well provided for all their wants, and all they have to do is to work in the sunlight, and grow at night. There are no climatic foes; all the foes are the competing plants, or the animals at every point. To compete successfully with the one and to resist the otlier, demands most varied forms and characteristics. STOVE PLANTS IN THEIR NATIVE TROPICS. 51 Hence in the tropics we find marvellous diversity of shapes and adaptations, and from this comes the difficulty of understanding that there is a unity which connects even the "most varied forms. The structure of plants may be illustrated by the architecture of buildings, in which the elementary factors are walls, floors, and roofs, to which we might add chimneys and Avindows. These are found in cathedrals and- wayside shrines, in palaces and cot- tages ; however much they may be disguised by decoration or by extrinsic additions of every kind, we can still recognize them and comj)are them with each other ; A\'e can penetrate the most com- plete disguise, and recognize them even when they have outlived their usefulness and exist only as ornamental vestiges, like make- believe chimneys or false windows. The recognition of these simple elements of architecture is not always easy, but it is always worth while, for we are thereby enabled to trace relations between the most widely separated structures, and to gain some insight into the order of their development. We can even see how the wayside shrine grew into a cathedral, and w^e can trace the steps by which the development has passed along its course. The recognition of these elements is of further use in such study, since it shows that form is, within certain limits, independent of material, and that whatever material is used must be so disposed that its burdens are kept within its strength. This illustration may now be applied to plants and their underlying architecture. Tt is everywhere held truly by botanists that the different organs of all flowering plants are referable to root, stem, and leaf. Here we have the floor, the walls, and the roof. Perhaps root- hairs deserve the same rank, but for the present purposes we must restrict ourselves to the root, stem, and leaf, or even to the more essential stem and leaf. This reduction of all parts of a flowering plant to such simple elements was the discovery, or rather inspiration, of the poet Goethe, who saw in a misshapen rose, with green leaves where there should have been fragrant petals, the reading of one of the riddles of nature. About the same time — the close of the last century — Auguste de Candolle, a botanist of the highest rank, was led by a careful comparison of the arrangement of leaves on stems with the parts of the flowers, to the conclusion that the flower is a shortened branch, with its parts arranged in an orderly manner, and adapted to special uses. At first botanists were 52 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. rather slow to make use of this clew through the otherwise track- less labyrinth of forms, but it is today in the hands of even the students of elementary botany, Avho can see in the fields of ripen- ing wheat, with its ears of golden grain, leaves, and stems, and roots — all much diversified ; and in the blue flax, the scarlet runner, and the rose, leaves and stems and nothing more ; and so in all the kindred of those plants which luxuriate in the tropics. Eoots and stems are seldom so greatly disguised as to elude- immediate identification, but sometimes leaves are so changed from the familiar type as to defy detection except after close study. But when we have made out the elemental parts and have reduced our otherwise bewildering complex fractions of the vegetable world to their lowest terms, we have before us the materials for working otit the family history of plants. Before this subject was made clear by the luminous suggestions of Darwin and Wallace, the expression, " affinity in plants," was a figure of speech rather than an expression of an undoubted fact. How could this be otherwise when all held that species had come down to us in straight lines without any variation wide enough to carry one species beyond the limits which marked it from its nearest neighbors ? But in the light of the hypothesis of deriva- tion these lines are seen to be anything but straight : they are tortuous beyond belief, and in their irregular course mark the crooked path of descent. Therefore, we hold now that these widely separated plants in all climates are, in the truest sense of the word, akin, and if we may borrow a phrase from the sister kingdom, they are of one blood. This belief lends a new charm to all examinations of the diversified organs of plants, and gives to botanical study the attractiveness which attaches to all life histories. The lecturer next passed to new views acquired in regard to the structure of these plants. Everbody knows that plants are composed of myriads of minute compartments, different in shape and office, which are so combined as to make the organs and con- stitute the pUmt. In these compartments resides the living matter or the protoplasm, in which all life is manifested. Up to about fifteen years ago, it was held, on what was believed to be satisfactory evidence, that the living matter in each one of these cells or compartments, Avas quite separate from the living matter ia STOVE PLANTS IN THEIR NATIVE TROPICS. 53 the contiguous cells, but better means of research and improved methods have shown that in some cases, and probably in all, the protoplasm in tlie cell communicates through an inconceivably fine, sieve-like partition with the protoplasm in the neighboring ■cells, and thus throughout the whole plant there is absolute con- tinuity. Each plant, no matter how complex, is in all its living parts bound strictly together into a coherent cooperating whole. The bearing of this on the question of propagating plants by cuttings or buds is very important. When a bud is transferred from one plant to another or to favonible soil, and there takes up its life as if it had not been severed from its source, it carries all its ancestral peculiarities with it. If, however, as in the case of the seed produced by the action of the pollen from one modified leaf, called a stamen, on the germ in tlie ovule or essential part of another modified leaf, there is lacking that close continuity — there is given a chance for variation to come in, and herein the .seed differs from the bud. In this field of investigation much is to be done with respect to the perpetuation of acquired characters and those which are more obviously inherited. At this point, said the lecturer, we may take in review the •diversified plants of the tropics and note their peculiarities in theii- homes. But before passing to the illustrations we must note two points as of the highest importance. First, the showy plants in the tropics are much scattered and are not striking for brilliancy. If you want to see tropical plants at their best you must not visit a jungle, but must see such a stove as that of Mr. Hunnewell at Wellesley. Here, and in similar places, are gathered the treasures from many places in the tropics. Again, in the tropics stove plants are not so thrifty as under the care of our most intelligent gardeners at the North. Here, ninder glass, all the caprices and eccentricities of plants are humored, and the plants consequently thrive better than they do where, in the tropics, they have to shift for themselves. Professor Goodale gave a large series of stereoscopic illustra- tions of the finest tropical plants in their jungles and glens, and closed by deploring the fact that it is impossible, even in our largest Northern stoves, to bring the largest tropical plants to their finest and most characteristic condition. The following were among the most striking of the very large 54 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. number of views of tropical plants shown by the lecturer. They are not here taken up in precisely the order in which they were exhibited. Palms were illustrated in great variety, both in their isolation and in groups. About twenty of the most prominent species were referred to in detaiL Of the banana type, the most surprising was the traveller's tree at Singapore. Bamboos of all sizes were presented under their varied conditions. These and the. climbers were of surpassing beauty and interest. Of epiphytic plants, aroids and orchids were shown as they occur in their native homes, and they served to emphasize the point made by the lecturer that in frequency, of occurrence and in brilliancy^ tropical blossoms, except on the tree-tops, do not compare with our north temperate vegetation. Perhaps the fruit trees of the tropics were as instructive to the spectators as any other of the illustrations exhibited, because in our stoves these so seldom come into bearing and are so seldom seen. The large number of pictures followed each other in very rapid succession, but with sufficient explanation to make them instructive and interesting. Professor Goodale concluded by speaking of Berg's Physiog- nomy of Tropical Vegetation in South America, — on the River Magdalena and in the Andes of New Granada, which he had seen in the Library of the Society and which he recommended a& a valuable supplement to his lecture. BUSINESS MEETING. Satukday, February 1, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Fkaxcis H. Appletox, in the chair. The President, as Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Building, reported the following vote adopted by that Committee at a meeting on the 22d ult., a copy of which had been sent to every member of the Society, with notice that it would be pre- sented at this meeting: Voted, That tlie Joint Committee on the Building recommend to the Society that they give the said Committee power to offer tlie property now occupied by the Society for sale, provided that they can obtain a satisfactory price. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE BUILDING. 55 After ii full discussion of the subject, by a large number of members, the following vote was passed : Voted, That the Society adopt the recommendation of the Building Committee, and give that Committee power to act. Charles E. Kichardson, Treasurer, read his Annual Eeport, approved by the Finance Committee, which was accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication. The following-named persons were appointed by the President a Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums for the year 1896 : Henry L. Clapp, Chairman, Mrs. Henrietta L. T. Wolcott, Mrs. P. D. Eichards, George E. Davenport, Miss Katharine W. Huston, William P. Kich, W. E. C. Eich. It was moved that the President appoint a Committee of three to prepare a memorial of the late Charles M. Atkinson. The motion was carried, and the Chair appointed as that Committee Patrick Norton, Erederick L. Harris, and Kenneth Pinlayson. The same motion was made with regard to Hon. John P. Spaidding, and this motion also was carried, and the Chair appointed the Committee as follows : Joseph H. Woodford, Hon. George Heywood, and Edwin A. Hall. A letter from Samuel Henshaw, Secretary of the Boston Society of Natural History, inviting the Society to attend a lecture by Herbert Lyon Jones on the "Biological Adaptation of Desert Plants to their Surroundings," before the Society of Natural History, on the evening of February 5, was read. It Avas voted that the invitation be accepted, and that the thanks of this Society be presented to the Natural History Society therefor. Charles Wells Hubbakd, of Weston, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for mem- bership in the Society, was on ballot duly elected. Adjourned to Saturday, jNIarch 7. 56 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETV, MEETING EOK LECTUEE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, February 8, 189G. A meeting for Lecture aucl Discussion Avas holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Fkaxcis H, Appletox, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : Seed Control: Its Aims, Methods, and Benefits. By Gilbert H. Hicks, of the Division of Botany, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. It seems like a waste of time to call the attention of the farmer, gardener, and fruit grower to the importance of planting good seed. From the remotest period it has been known that men cannot gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, and yet this is being attempted to a considerable extent in American husbandry every year. Many farmers are dissatisfied with the low prices their products bring, with high tariffs and low tariffs, with the weather, and multitudinous other unfavorable conditions for profitable agricult- ure ; yet only a few — a surprisingly small number — attach due weight to the fact that one of the very foundations of success for them is pure seed, germinable and true to name. It is unques- tionably true that the present conditions in this country, including the sharp competition with both home and foreign products, render the profitable pursuit of agriculture exceedingly precarious, at least in many cases. I believe, on the other hand, that it is equally true that by proper attention to business, by using the best seeds, the best soil, and the best methods of cultivation and marketing, every farmer and gardener can make for himself a comfortable living and by proper frugality accumxilate a substan- tial store for future necessities. It is urged that there is already a ])lethoric yield of agricult- ural products, — more than our markets demand. While this may apply to inferior or mediocre articles, it does not hold good for those of the best quality. Every year sees a larger demand for first-class vegetables, fruits, and cereals. Americans of the present time are living more highly than the}^ used to, and are willing to pay high prices for the best table luxuries. The man who raises the best crops, then, is coming out away SEED CONTROL. 57 ahead of his neighbors who are content to " make a living ; " indeed, the time seems to be fast approaching in America when the husbandman who does not apply brains as well as fertilizers to his fields will not be able to make even a living. The listlessness which exists in some quarters at present must give way to intensive application of the right sort. The trouble is not that the agriculturist does not work hard enough, but that in many cases his labors are misdirected and futile. Of wliat use is it if a man works a piece of ground early and late, in season and out, if he plants tares when he wants Avheat ? Some of the conditions for siiccessful crops are beyond the control of the producer, but such conditions are being gradually lessened. In the matter of good seed it would seem at first sight that any one could obtain it by paying the price asked. Indeed, some American seedsmen would have us believe that it is difficult in this country to procure any other kind, — that all of tlie trashy seed of which we read is sold in Europe. We wish to state at the outset that we have no grievance whatever against American seedsmen as a class ; that the trade numbers as honorable men as can be found in any profession ; and our remarks at this time will apply only to the abuses of the American seed trade, from the wholesaler down to the hardware merchant or grocer in a country village, who sells his customers old garden seeds that not even the trump of Gabriel could induce to come up. It makes no difference to the farmer Avhether his seed comes directly from the large dealer or from the village merchant, if it does not germinate or turn out to be what he ordered. He does not stop to quibble over the point made by a recent writer in an American journal, that a man who sells bad seed is not a seedsman. If this be true, Ave shall have to get new names for the butcher who sells tainted meat and the grocer who adulterates his wares. After a careful study of this subject, including the testing of a considerable quantity of seeds and conversation with some of our prominent seedsmen, I am prepared to state without fear of suc- cessful contradiction, Avhat any one may easily find out for him- self, if he takes a little trouble, that there is an immense amount of trashy and inferior seed sold in this country every year, and we believe the time is fully ripe for the inauguration of seed con- 58 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. tvol methods in the United States. Such methods would benefit the first-class seedsmen fully as much, if not more, than the consumers themselves. As it now is even the man who pays a high price for seed cannot always get it, though, on the other hand, it should be noted that some farmers get poor seed because it costs less than a good quality, and therefore they consider it cheap. No intel- ligent man needs to be told that such seed is dear at any price, and likely to entail a long series of losses from the fouling of his land and the introduction of inferior strains of agriciiltural plants. Poor seed may be classified as follows : 1. Impure. 2. Not true to name. 3. Of low vitality. Impurities may be either accidental, due to imperfect handling or cleaning, such as weed seeds, chaif, dirt, and foreign seeds; or the result of deliberate fraud, as " killed " seed, artificially col- ored sand, admixtures of seeds of inferior value, etc. If the impurity consists only of inert matter, i.e., sand, chaff, and " killed " seeds, the wrong lies in the fact that the buyer pays for something which is of no value, but Avhich cannot injure his land or crops. On the other hand, where seeds of weeds occur the farmer not only sows but carefully cultivates plants which are not only usurping the place of the crops he desires, but may even poison his family and stock. This last statement is an extreme case, but one not at all uncommon. If the seeds are not true to name a great loss is entailed to the farmer from the fact that an entire crop, with all the cost and labor it implies, has been wasted. However, in cases of this kind, e.ff., if a gardener plants a field to some particular variety of radish and it turns out to be totally different from the kind ordered, the buyer has heretofore had redress by claiming dam- ages agaiiist the seedsman for obtaining money by false ])retense. Numerous cases of this kind have occurred in America, but dealers are usually careful to avoid such difficulties. With regard to Aveed seeds, upon which much stress is laid by Seed Control Stations, it is possible that their baneful effects are sometimes overestimated by those forming an opinion on the value of commercial seed, judged from the standpoint of the SEED CONTROL. 59 germination of the former. Experiments conducted with a few kinds of weed seeds tend to show that the seeds of some of our native plants produce a small number of seedlings as compared with those of cultivated plants. A large number of our worst weeds are perennial and, although they produce seeds, do not depend upon this method for self preservation ; hence their seeds frequently show a small germinating capacity. A very large proportion of our serious annual weeds, on the other hand, pro- duce enormous numbers of seeds, apparently upon the principle that, in some cases at least, but few of them will germinate. Again, the conditions of germination of many weeds seem to be different from those of cultivated plants, in that the seeds of the former often require a long period of rest, and perhaps, also, alternate freezing and thawing, before they will germinate. However, in such cases, while the injurious effects may not be seen immediately, the weeds are likely to appear in future crops, when least expected. Professor Goff, of Wisconsin, found that seeds of " Redroot " (Amaranthus retroflexxis) would not ger- minate at all when fresh, but after being kept for several years in a bag in a dry place they sprouted quite well. On the other hand. Dr. J. C. Arthur, after conducting a test with various weed seeds at the New York Experiment Station in 1887, came to the conclusion that some species became incapable of germinating after being kept dry three or four mouths, and therefore he thinks that the danger of fouling land from sowing weed seeds with farm or garden seeds is not so great as commonly supposed. Seeds of Russian thistle, collected October 30, were tested in our laboratory the following May. After fourteen days but ]o.o per cent had germinated. Seeds of the same species one year and a half old failed to sprout at all during the same period. The truth is that too little work has been done along this line to warrant any definite conclusions. There is a field for study heie which is well worth the attention of those engaged in Seed Control. In general, however, it may be said that no seed should be sold which contains as high as five per cent of weed seeds. In making reports on impurities, the European Seed Control Stations take into account the kind of weed seeds present in a sample. For example, in the Scandinavian Stations the follow- ing, among otliers, are reckoned as " bad " weed seeds : cockle. 60 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. chess, Canada thistle, dodder, wikl mustard, sow thistle, creeping buttercup, wild chamomile. Such seeds, though they may be scarce in a sample, would readily spread throughout a field. In the case of dodder, Kussian thistle, and some other weeds, no commercial seed is worth sowing if it contains a single seed of these species which is capable of germinating. The third cause of poor seed, namely, low vitality, furnishes the greatest argument for seed control. In this respect the buyer, under present conditions, is most likely to be defrauded, and in such a manner that it is very difficult for him to obtain redress. Most people judge of the germinating quality of seed from its appearance. If plump, sound, and glossy it is presumed to be germinable. Some go so far as to throw a handful of seed upon a hot stove ; if it pops open suddenly it is supposed to be good. Others test their seed by placing a small quantity in water ; if it sinks it is thought sound ; if it floats it is considered dead. Neither test is at all satisfactory. In the latter case a layer of air closely enveloping the seed often keeps good seed afloat, while poor seed may sink as readily, since the specific gravity of seeds is greater than that of water. The appearance of seed cannot be relied upon in forming an estimate of germinative ability. An artificial gloss is often given to seed in the process of cleaning. Modern seed-cleaning machinery is constructed not only to take out foreign matter, but also, in many instances, with attachments which clean the surface of the grains. The rubbing of tlie seeds together, of itself^ gives them a glossy appearance. Sometimes polishing brushes are used with the express object of making old seed look like new. Cases are even known where seeds have been rubbed against oiled surfaces for the same purpose. Without stopping here to discuss the subject of possible injury to the seed coat which any artificial treatment is likely to pro- duce,— a belief which prevails among the best seedsmen of the country, for which reason such seedsmen do not use polishers, — it is evident that a glossy surface affords no certain criterion of the vitality of seed. Furthermore, there is not always strict uniformity in the color of seeds, even of the same variety. Dull- looking seeds often germinate better than shiny ones of the same species. Nevertheless it is true that some seeds, especially the SEED CONTROL. 61 clovers, rapidly lose their bright color with age ; hence in some instances the color test, to the eyes of an expert, is very use- ful. However, the most practised eye is readily deceived in this respect. In the matter of vitality the buyer of seed is at a great dis- advantage. The dealer usually claims that with proper condi- tions seed of a considerable age will germinate well. If one purchases seed and it does not come up, the seedsman coolly tells him that it was not the fault of the seed, but of the manner of planting, state of the weather, etc. Most of them in their catalogues take particular pains to emphasize this statement. The dealer says liis seed is good, for he has carefully tested it and knows its viability. Furthermore, the seedsman tells us that, on account of the lively competition in the trade, no man can afford to sell seed of a poor germinating quality, since he would lose his business. How is it, then, that so much badly germinating seed is sold to American farmers ? This question is not so difficult to answer as one might think. The seedsman is in the business for what he can get out of it ; he has seed to sell, not to throw away. Like people in all other kinds of trade, he is often caught at the close of the season with much old stock on his hands. Does he test this at the beginning of the next season, and, finding that the germination has de. creased ten or twenty, perhaps fifty per cent, sell it to the farfner at a corresponding reduction ? There may be such instances, but they are certainly the exception and not the rule. On the other hand, like a grocer or merchant in the same pre- dicament, the seedsman frequently works off his old stock to the best advantage. This is a common practice, and it is no secret at all among the trade. One of the most prominent clover seed dealers in the United States admitted to me that he sold old clover seed in this way. In other words, if it was not too old he made no discrimination to ordinary customers, but if he found that its germinating power was pretty low he mixed it with fresh seed in whatever proportions it would stand. I have talked with quite a number of seedsmen in the country upon this point, and have yet to learn of one who throws away all of his old seed or sells it to the public at a lower price. Of course, seedsmen themselves do not pay as much for old 62 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETV. seed as for new if they can help it, but in many cases no differ- ence is made in the small lots sent out to the people, except that care is taken to mix in enough fresh seed to render the sample salable. This, to a large extent, accounts for the fact that rare vegetable and flower seeds often show a remarkably low vitality — a more or less frequent experience of every horticulturist and farmer. In ordinary seasons of business the common seeds move rapidly in trade, but the rare sorts are apt to be left over from 3^ear to year. The fact that such seed always costs more than the ordinarj^ varieties makes the evil a very exasperating one. To obviate, at least in a measure, the troubles arising from planting seed of low vitality, the seedsman frequently advises his customers to sow more seed per acre or rod than experiments have shown to^ be necessary if fresh seed were used. In fact, I may say, that with the present inadequate knowledge of seeds in this country, Avhere the matter of prudence and economy has not entered into horticultural practices to the same extent as in Europe, there is very often an unnecessary waste in seed-sowing. Better pay more for good seed and sow only what is necessary. Labor will be saved both in the sowing and in thinning out the seedlings. This last point is a very important one where held or garden crops are raised upon a large scale. If the seedsman would sell two pounds of seed which is lifty per cent below the proper germinating standard at the same price as one pound of standard seed, the dishonest practice — I call it by its right name — of selling low germinating seed wduld be greatly lessened, but such is not the case. When seedsmen are asked to guarantee their seeds they make statements like the following (I am quoting now from the cata- logue of one of the oldest and most reliable seed firms in the United States) : " Seeds of tlie best possible quality will fail through improper treatment. Thus, if a small seed be sown so deeply that the young plant cannot reach the surface, the seeds, however good, will fail. More failures result from a want of proper knowledge of conditions necessary to germination than from bad quality of seeds themselves. Besides the conditions" (wliioh are stated) '' affecting the germination of the seed, the young plants, after they have made their way to the surface, are liable to various accidents ; a sudden current of very cold air, or a continued dry- SEED COXTROL. 63 ing wind, may check their growth, or destroy the young plants altogether. In addition, there are numerous insects, both below and above ground, that may attack the plants, some of these being so small that they often destroy a crop before they are discovered. " For the above reasons, we wish to state in this explicit form, that, while we exercise great care to have all seeds ])ure, reliable, and true to name, our seeds are sold without any warranty, expressed or implied, and without any responsibility in respect to the crop. If our seeds are not accepted on these terms, they must be returned at once." The above is a fair sample of the kind of guarantees (?) offered by American seedsmen in general. Others, however, warrant seed to be of good vitality and true to name to the extent that they will refund money if not. Strange to say, however, the largest firms almost without exception expressly state that they will furnish no guarantee expressed or imjdied. But no guaran- tee from any firm whatever can take the })lace of an actual test made by a disinterested party. No one asks the seedsman to guarantee a crop ; that wonUl be absurdly unreasonable. Neither, under sei'd control conditions, is it required that the seeds should come up after being planted in the field. As we shall see presently, in making germination tests the seeds are placed under the most favorable conditions and handled by experts from first to last, so that none of the common objections of seedsmen hold good, that no guarant' e can be expected since "the very best seeds do not always give satis- faction on account of sowing too deep oi- too shallow ; too wet or too dry soil ; wet weather, cold weather, frosts, chemic il changes induced by temperature, etc." The conditions which affect germination are very com])lex. and the subject is a very interesting one, but we cannot treat it here. Suffice it to say that not only do different varieties of see 1 g^'rmi- nate best under conditions different from those of othf^r v.iri 4.i-'S, but also that differences in season, climate, soil, and locality, differ- ence in the degree of ripeness when harvested, and met o Is of harvesting and keeping, make it impossible to predic ite wit : abso- lute accuracy how different seeds of the same variety will behave when they are planted. Nevertheless, the germination o; our common garden and forage plants is sufficiently understo xl by 64 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. those who have made a study of the si;bject, to warrant the adop- tion of certain standards below which good seed ought not to fall. As to the vitality of seed, it may be coulidently stated that, with possibly a very few exceptions, the germinating power of all cultivated seeds deteriorates after the first or second year, and after three or four years, often after the first, this deterioration is usually very marked. In a few cases, such as ciicurbits and flax, it is commonly supposed that seed of two or three years from harvesting is better than fresh. Dr. Wittmack says that the common grass seeds, if properly kept, retain their vitality two or even three years, although, as with clover, one year seed is pref- erable. He might have added, " if fully ripe when harvested," since most grass seed contains a large per cent of immature grains ; a difiiculty which is entirely unavoidable in many cases. Hard-coated seeds, such as the clovers and their allies, if kept in a dry place, usually retain tlieir vitality better than seeds of a softer consistency. Many vegetable seeds lose their vitality in a short time. Here, as in the case of all seeds, great variation exists. For example, in a large series of tests of vegetable seeds made by Professor Goff at Geneva, N.Y., in 1886, it was found that " two germina- tions of turnip seed seven years old gave ninety-eight per cent of growth, equaling the result to be expected from fresh seed ; one sample nine years old, gave sixty-two per cent." But in the majority of instances, the old seed failed to come up well. It is not necessary to take into account at all the supposed limits of vitality of the different varieties of seed in considering the subject of seed control. What matters it to the gardener if the highest authority in the world tells him that cucumber seed will germinate when it is ten years old, and the seedsman satis- fies him that the seed is within that limit ? As before stated, the only guarantee worth anything to the buyer is the result of an actual test made by a disinterested and competent person. The necessity for seed control may be more obvious if we give the results of some tests. Although comparatively little attention has been paid to this subject in America, there are plenty of data at hand showing tlie need of practical reform in the seed trade. The lowest vitality and purity is found as a rule among grass seeds, among which class of seeds detection of impurities is the SEED COXTROL. 65 most difficult, not only to the purchaser, but also to the dealers themselves. Ko grass is raised in the United States for seed alone, i.e., on a commercial scale. Most of the seed of Kentucky blue grass, orchard grass, timothy, redtop, and meadow fescue used in this country is American grown. Some other species are raised here, to a greater or less extent, but in no case, so far as I have found, are these grasses cultivated for their seed alone, like a seed crop of peas or cabbage, for instance. This accounts for the fact that frequently large amounts of weed seeds are present in grass seeds. Generally no especial care is taken to rid the grass fields of these pests, and grass, above all other kinds of seed, is the most difficult to clean after it is once harvested. Besides, our meadows generally contain a mixture of various grasses, often of very different value. Many grasses show an average germination of only thirty to forty per cent, — timothy, redtop, the bromes, orchard grass, the fescues, and a few others, being prominent exceptions. The con- ditions of the weather at the time grasses flower have a great deal to do with their germinative ability. If a prolonged wet season ensues at this time, only a very small percentage of the seeds ripen. For example : in Germany, in 1871, only five per cent of the seeds of meadow foxtail were germinable for this reason. Again, the seeds on the same grass plant ripen very unevenly and, in many cases, rattle out easily when fully mature ; there- fore such seed is usually harvested before fully ripe. Besides, the glumes of ripe and unripe fruits are often so nearly alike in color that it is difficult for the collector to distinguish between them. Hence it is no Avonder that pure and germinable grass seed is so hard to obtain. The cheaper grades are mostly chaff and dirt and worse than useless, while those designated " prime " and " fancy cleaned " are often of very little value. Nevertheless the following table will show that grass seed of a high germinating ability may be obtained in our markets. The figures in the first column are quoted from the price list of a seedsman in the United States and are the results of germinating tests of seed offered for sale by him. It will be noted that these figures are in every instance considerably higher than those of the second column, which are the standards of germination used by Dr. Stebler, director of the Zurich Seed Control Station. G6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. American Seedsman. Zurich. Per cent. Per cent 95 85 85 60 95 70 90 70 90 50 90 70 96 75 85 60 70 50 80 50 Grass Seed. Redtop Crested dog's tail Orchard grass . Tall ]neadoAv fescue Sheep's fescue . Italian rye grass English rye grass Eeed canary grass June grass Rough stalked nieado The seedsman adds, however, that these percentages are given as information only and not as a guarantee. The purchaser ought not to suffer from the fact that, on account of the unfavorable conditions above mentioned, good grass seed is difficult to procure. The dealer should test his seed carefully, and sell it according to its real value. If the buyer is not willing to pay more for such seed than for trash, it is his own fault and he deserves no sympathy. However, the buyer under present conditions is at a great dis- advantage, as the following illustration will show : A sample of seed sold by one of the most prominent dealers in this country for yellow oat grass (Avena flavescens), was tested in our labora- tory and found to contain 74.4 per cent of impurities, of which over four-fifths Avas the seed of common hair grass {Deschampsia flexuosa), the balance consisting mostly of chaff and Aveed seeds. Two hundred pounds of this seed was bought by the person Avho furnished the sample, at a cost of fifty dollars per hundred. Hair grass sells for about ten dollars per hundred pounds, and is practically worthless for lawn or pasture. The grains of these two kinds of grass are very similar in ap- pearance, and exceedingly difficult to detect Avithout the aid of a lens. The seed of yelloAv oat grass is imported from Europe, where it is often deliberately adulterated Avith tliat of hair grass. It is not likely that the American seedsman noticed the fraud. Of the 25.6 per cent of ]mre seed, but 11.5 per cent germinated under the most favorable conditions, or a little less than 3 per cent of the entire sample. In other Avords, there Avas a loss of about ninety-one dollars out of the hundred Avhich the seed cost, SEED CONTROL. 67 alloAviiig 100 per cent germination for the hair grass and su.p- posing it to be of any value to the fanner. Of this loss nearly sixty dollars was, in all probability, the result of deliberate fraud npon the part of the Europeandealers, and reprehensible careless- ness, to say the least, in the case of the American seedsman. Kentucky blue grass showed but 10 per cent germinating power instead of at least 60 per cent, which is a fair standard for this seed. Only one per cent of a sample of Texas blue grass (^Poa arachnifevd) germinated. This grass, like the other Poas, usually shows a low germination, but in the case mentioned the sample was entirely worthless, since when sown in soil not a seed came up. Texas blue grass sells for three dollars a pound in small quantities, or two hundred and fifty dollars by the hundred. Out of four hundred seeds of Bermuda grass but one germinated, or one-fourth of one per cent. Although this grass rarely matures seed in the North, and is generally reproduced by its rootstocks, nevertheless good seed should show a ger- mination of from 40 to 50 per cent, especially in view of the fact that seedsmen ask $1.50 per pound for it whether it comes up or not. Orchard grass showed a germination of 31.8 per cent in blotters and 24 per cent in soil, as against 70 to 80 per cent, the proper standard. Tall meadow oat grass contained 36.3 per cent impurity, 70 per cent of which consisted of inferior grass seeds and weed seeds, the balance being chaff and dirt. Of the 64 per cent of pure seed 60 per cent germinated, or a little more than one-third of the entire sample. Awnless brome should show a purity and germination per cent of 90 or 81 per cent intrinsic value. Five hundred pounds of this seed Avere purchased at regular wholesale prices and a sample submitted to us for test. It showed a purity of 80.8 and 55.5 per cent germination, being an actual value of 44.8, or a little over one-half that of the standard, a money loss of over forty dollars. This does not take into account the farmer's waste of time and labor, besides the injury to his land from sowing the inferior grass and weed seeds of which the impurities consisted. Italian rye grass tested at the Iowa Experiment Station con- tained 41 per cent of English rye grass, an inferior plant. This set^d comes from Ei;rope and is very often adulterated in this 68 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. way. At the same station a pound of orchard grass was found to contain over fourteen hundred seeds of sheep sorrel, besides considerable ergot. Over one-half the bulk of a lot of fiorin (Af/rostis alba) costing forty-two cents a pound was chaff, and over one-third its weight consisted of chaff and sand. All of the grasses enumerated were sold as good seed, at the regular market price, by prominent American seedsmen. A test of orchard grass made at the Connecticut Experiment Station a few years ago furnishes a striking example of the need of seed control in this country. Seventeen samples, obtained from regular dealers, were examined. One of them contained no orchard grass at all, but consisted entirely of perennial rye grass, which is very unlike orchard grass, from which it is easily separated. This is an evident case of fraud upon the part of some one, since perennial rye grass is much inferior to orchard grass and costs considerably less a pound. Five other samples con- tained, on the average, but 25 per cent of orchard grass seed, and of the entire lot only 40 per cent germinated, or less than one-half the standard amount, while in one case the vitality was only 4^ per cent. The following are the results of some germination tests made by American experiment stations : Eecltop 4 per cent, beach grass 2 per cent, meadow foxtail 2 per cent, sweet vernal 5 per cent, tall meadow oat grass 2 per cent, yellow oat grass 2 per* cent, soft chess 2 per cent, crested dog's tail 9 per cent, orchard grass 10 per cent, hard fescue 3 per cent, various-leaved fescue 3 per cent, meadow fescue 6 j)er cent, red fescue 8 per cent, slender fescue 3 per cent, Italian rye grass 4 per cent, English rye grass 12 per cent, reed canary grass 6 per cent, Canada blue grass 11 per cent, wood meadow grass 0 per cent, fowl meadow grass 3 per cent, rough stalked meadow grass 2 per cent. In the following instances not a single seed sprouted : meadow brome, Schrader's brome, sheep fescue, velvet grass, timothy, water meadow grass, and Kentucky blue grass. We do not knOAV under what conditions these tests were made, and have inten- tionally selected the minimum results for purposes of illustration, but they certainly afford abundance of argument for the need of seed control in America. The mere fact that such seeds were offered for sale in this country without the purchaser's knowledge SEED CONTROL. 69 of their real worth is sufficient evidence that something needs to be done for the improvement of agricnltare along this line. Since so much of our grass seed comes from Europe let us turn in that direction for information. The following samples were tested last year at the Zurich Seed Control Station and include grasses from various parts of Europe. One sample of tall meadow oat grass contained 31.9 per cent of chaff. Of Italian rye grass one sample contained 85 per cent awnless seeds, a sure sign of intentional admixture with English rye grass. One sample of crested dog's tail consisted of 46.3 per. cent English rye grass, 46.5 per cent chaff and dead grains, and only 7.2 per cent pure seeds ; another sample contained 78.7 per cent of chaff and dead fruits. A sample of meadow foxtail contained 81.8 per cent chaff and larva-infested grains, while another one showed but 1 per cent germination. One sample of tall meadow fescue showed 0 germinating per cent. Seeds of this grass are usually mixed with those of the common meadow fescue, but no particular injury is done, since both grasses grow in the same soil. The latter, however, is a less expensive seed. Other fescues showed a remarkably low germination : sheep's fescue and various leaved fescue in one instance did not put forth a single sprout. Eed fescue germinated in one case but 6 per cent. This grass is said to occur pure in the trade but seldom, being largely mixed Avith sheep's fescue and various-leaved fescue. June grass shoAved the low purity of 28.5 per cent ; gerjnination 28 per cent. This grass is frequently adulterated with Poa comjjvessa, Avhich in Europe is considered inferior; in fact, one eminent authority classes it as a Avorthless weed. In America, however, it has some value, but flourishes on a different soil from June grass. Two samples labelled June grass contained 60 and 70 per cent Poa comjjressa. Velvet grass was found in one instance to contain 96.5 per cent impurity, and one sample germinated but 17 per cent. Seed labelled sweet vernal in some cases proved to be almost entirely tlie anniial variety, a very inferior, if not Avorthless grass. This adulteration is exceedingly common, and almost impossible to detect. 70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. With the exception of the common meadow fescue and June grass, America depends almost entirely upon Europe for every grass mentioned above, and seeds as worthless as those enumerated are frequently sold in our stores. There is a law preventing America from sending bad pork and beef to Germany, but there is no embargo to prevent Germany and other foreign countries from dumping their poor seed upon our market, a jDractice which prevails to an alarming extent, accounting in a very large measure for the dodder, Russian thistle, and other dangerous weeds which infest our country. Grass seeds are not the only ones which are apt to show very low germinating averages. Perhaps, on the whole, flower seeds are still more inferior in this respect. Here I Avish to relate a personal incident by way of illustration. One of m}^ very first recollections recurs to a time when my parents, who had gone to a neighboring village to make some purchases, took me with them. As we Avere leaving a " general " store, I found a ten-cent piece upon the floor. My people were poor, and this was the first money I had ever touched with my own hand, — almost the first I had ever seen. Taking it to the store-keeper he remarked that since the owner was unknown I was as much entitled to it as any one, I need not stop to tell you my feelings, which, however, doubtless those of you who were brought up in the country in humble cir- cumstances can appreciate. Being very fond of flowers it did not take me a moment to decide what to do with the ten-cent piece. Standing before the counter with the most glowing feelings I had ever experienced I called for ten cents' worth of flower seeds. Selecting a package labelled " China Aster," I rode home with great expectations of the beautiful, large flowers which I should obtain from that seed. My father, liaving been a practical farmer nearly all of his life, made a flower bed with the greatest care and planted the seeds with equal solicitude. Then I did what thousands of people do every year — waited for them to come up. This was thirty 3^ears ago, and not a single one of these seeds has come up yet. The keenness of my disappointment finally turned to disgust, from which I have never fully recovered. The following germination tests of flower seeds purchased from prominent American seedsmen were made in onr labora- tory : SEED CONTROL. 71 11.5 per cent 3.3 a 10.0 a 0.0 ii 0.0 11 A(jeratum coni/zoides Double hollyhock . Fine mixed verbena Japan primrose Moonflower A lot of seed bought by us and labelled Salvia splendens (scar- let sage) did not contain a single seed of that species. Nearly 85 per cent was seed of a much cheaper and less showy species, both seed and plant being very different from Salcia splendens, the seed of which costs about twelve dollars a pound at wholesale. The balance of the sample, 15 per cent, was discolored lettuce seed bearing a casual resemblance to the Salvia, but it had appar- ently been " killed " so that it did not germinate at all. The whole circumstance indicated deliberate fraud somewhere. T^'he main reason for tlie frequent poor quality of flower seeds is the fact that not rarely the same stock is offered for sale year after year. The custom of putting up flower and vegetable seeds in small packets and sending them out in boxes to small store- keepers throughout the country, accounts for a very large per cent of the seed that never comes up. Seed from these boxes is often offered to the ]3ublic long after it is capable of growing. ]\Iuch of the flower and vegetable seed received from abroad in bulk, and put up in this way after reaching America, is of a low vitality wlien our seedsmen get it, and does not improve by remaining in a country store a few years, nor even if it is re- turned to the seedsman each year, mixed with other seed and sent out in a new box. Hon. J. J. H. Gregory, the well-known seedsman, in an excel- lent address delivered before this Society two j^ears ago, speaking of the abuses of the seed trade, said that the agent of one firm acknowledged that a certain package of parsnip seed was on its fourth season's round, although this seed loses a great proportion of its vitality after the first year. He also mentioned a circular received by him thirty years ago from an agent of a firm in the box trade, offering certain varieties of vegetable seed at a wonder- fully low price. The agent added that although the seeds were too old to sprout they would do to mix with new seed. Judging from some of the vegetable seed we have tested Ave are afraid that same agent is still in the business. 72 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. As you probably know, many of our varieties of vegetable seed, excepting peas, beans, cabbage, celery, cucumber, and onion, and perhaps a few others, are imported. Such seed, even if of good quality when shipped, sometimes becomes impaired in tran- sit, from dampness or other reasons. On the other hand, on account of the absence of any plan of seed control in this coun- try, the Europeans have an excellent outlet here for their cheap wares, a fact of which they frequently take advantage. Owing to the methods of culture, as well as their size, form, and weight, vegetable seeds are usually much cleaner than those of grasses and other forage plants. Where seedsmen raise vegeta- bles for seed purposes, they generally take particular pains to keep them free from weeds, a much easier task than in the cases of grasses, clovers, etc. Furthermore, seeds of grasses and for- age plants, as a rule, are harder to clean. I am told, however, by one who has been in the seed trade for many years, that there is a good deal of fraud practised by mixing small gravel and sand with vegetable seeds to increase their weight, as such seed is gen- erally sold in bulk by weight. Dirt is sometime s mixed with onion seeM, and the excuse made Avlien such impurities are detected that it is impossible to get all of the dirt and stones out of the seed. Again, " dead " or " killed " seed is sometimes mixed with good seed. An instance, quoted to me by one Avho was personally acquainted with the transaction, related to a lot of vegetable seed which was received by a certain American firm. The seed proved to be a variety very inferior to that ordered. To make good the loss and avoid detection at the same time this seed was heated until the embryo was killed, when it Avas mixed Avith some of the genuine, higher priced variety, and sold as sucli. Similar instances are reported from Europe and are undoubtedly more common than is generally known. A few years ago the Maine Experiment Station tested a con- siderable amount of vegetable seeds bought from American seeds- ]nen. The following are the percentages of germination of seeds obtained from one dealer : Lettuce 0, turnip 4, cabbage 91, pars- nip 0, celery 33, onion 0, beet 48, carrot 23, tomato 57, radish 8/). Of the ten varieties tested three were entirely worthless, one nearly so, four others below the standard, one nearly up to the proper standard, while only a single variety of tliem all was Avhat it should have been. I regret to say that in this case a Massa- SEED CONTROL. 73 chusetts dealer sold the seeds. It is unnecessary to offer more proof that worthless seed, is sold every year in American mar- kets, a disagreeable subject and one which needs heroic treatment. The important question is. What are we going to do about it ? Shall we continue to believe that the evils will regulate them- selves in the ordinary course of competition, as the seedsman would have his customers think ? Experience with commercial fertilizers and adulterated food products ought to be sufficient to satisfy the most sanguine farmer or gardener, that competition among seedsmen is not going to insure him good seed. More than a quarter of a century ago these same questions were forced upon the attention of European agriculturists as the results of some tests of commercial seed made by Dr. jSTobbe, director of the Experiment Station at Tharand, Saxony. Seed control methods were introduced, and as the result there has been a great improvement in the stock offered for sale. Poor seed is on the European market, too, but no man on that continent needs buy it unless he wants to do so. At the present time there are over one hundred seed control stations in Europe, not a single important countr}' being without one or more. Germany heads the list with 38, Sweden has 16, Austria 14, Belgium 9, Kussia 7, and Erance, England, and Scotland one each. Even Japan, Brazil, and Java have one or more, the total number outside of the United States amounting in 1894 to 117. In some cases this work is conducted in connection with a regular agricultural experiment station ; in many instances seed-testing alone is car- ried on. The general plans are similar, although considerable variation in details exists among the different stations. So far as I can learn, there are no laws in Europe compelling seedsmen to furnish good wares, but the result is reached through the pressure of public sentiment, due to the efforts of the Control Stations. Frequently the Avork is undertaken in connection with agricult- ural societies, all of whose members share in the benefits. For example, every agriculturist in the jurisdiction of the Dresden Agricultural Society is authorized to send in to the Experiment Station at Tharand, Saxony, samples of seed bought by him, to- gether Avith a statement of their origin and cost. The sample must be taken and sealed before a witness and be a fair aA^erage representative of the seed purchased, so that the 74 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. dealer cannot dispute the result of the test. Of the smaller seeds, as radish, rape, clover, grasses, etc., at least one-half an ounce must be sent in, and in the case of larger seeds, as peas, beans, cereals, maize, etc., from a quarter to half a pound. The results of the tests are printed in the official journal of the station, which also publishes equitable standards of purit}^ and gerjnina- tion, so that the people may know Avhether the guarantee of seeds offered to them is of a sufficiently high per cent. Seed dealers or producers can have the purity and germinative ability of their seeds examined for one or two dollars, according to the size of the seed. Special arrangements are made with parties not members of the Dresden Agricultural Society. The prices for seed testing vary according to the labor required and the country in Avhich the test is made. A few of the stations are self-supporting, but most of them receive grants from the State to aid in carrying on the work. In many cases so-called " Control firms " are regular patrons of the stations. They pay a certain annual amount for having tests made. To their cus- tomers they furnish a guarantee for genuineness, purity, and gei'minating capacity based upon, but not necessarily equal to, the test made by the station for them, — the "preliminary test," as it is called. Immediately upon receipt of the seed, the customer can send a sample to the Control Station if desired, and have it tested at a reduction of from one-third to two-thirds from prices charged the dealer, or, in some cases, Avithout expense. This is called the "supplementary test." The firm binds itself in case its seed falls 5 per cent or more beloAv the germination per cent guaranteed, either to refund the money ^^ro rata or to replace the goods, paying transportation both Avays. In supplementary tests made for members of the East-Prussian Agricultural Societ}^, if more than 2 per cent of foreign matter occurs above the guarantee, or 10 dodder seeds per kilogram (about 4J seeds per pound), the dealer agrees to take back the goods, paying charges both ways, or, at the option of the buyer, to refund from 5 to 10 per cent of the cost for ever}- o to 10 seeds of dodder per pound. Certain conditions exist relating to the amount of seed one must purchase to entitle him to free tests; also to the manner of SEED CONTROL. 75 drawing and sending samples, limit of the time of the year when seeds can be bought under a guarantee, time for filing claims, etc. The methods of procedure are perfectly equitable for both dealer and buyer. Xot only the results of tests, but also the names of the seeds- men are published by the Experiment Station. This acts as a most wholesome check upon the sale of impure and ungerminable seed, and places the agriculturist in a position to protect himself effectually against the purchase of inferior stock. The methods of testing seeds may be briefly touched upon. After the sample is received by the station a certain portion is weighed out as a smaller average sample. From this the good seed is carefully selected and the percentage of impurity ascer- tained. The impurity is divided into inert matter, seed of foreign cultivated plants, and weed seeds. The latter are identi- fied by means of a type collection of seeds kept in the station laboratory. From the pure seed are taken a certain number of average seeds for the germination test, which is usually conducted in a basement, where the temperature can be properly controlled. This is done by placing the seeds upon shelves in doubled-walled metal chambers, kept at a constant temperature by means of a thermo-regulator. At the Vienna Station the germinating chambers are heated with hot air. In others the cavity between the walls is filled with water kept at a temperature of 20 degrees C. (68 degrees F.). We find the latter method much preferable. Grass seeds are usually transferred for six hours each day to another chamber kept at 30 degrees C. (86 degrees F.), since this daily increase of temperature has been found advantageous. The seeds are germinated upon damp cloth, asbestos, blotters, porous saucers, or soil. Genuineness of varieties is established by field tests. We make duplicate tests of 200 seeds each, and in most cases conduct comparative tests in blotters and soil at the same time, often supplementing these with green- house tests. In short, the seeds are germinated under the most favorable conditions for the particular species involved. The seedsman is further favored by the fact that there is a considerable difference between germinative ability and viah'ility. By viable seeds we mean those which come up through the soil when planted, while a seed is said to have germinated as soon 76 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. as the little rootlet called the radicle pushes through the seed coat. No matter how favorable the soil conditions may be, very often a seed which would germinate upon a cloth or blotter will not come up through the soil from inherent lack of vitality alone. Of course a seed has no practical value unless it has energy enough to push its way up through the ground, but the very fact that seed planted in the open is subject to so many vicissitudes, coupled with the fact that the germination tests upon which guarantees are based are not made in the open ground, gives the dealer whatever advantage there is in Seed Control germination methods. We do not wish to be unjust to the seedsmen, especially to those Avho are honorably endeavoring to build up a trade. There is one feature of the matter, however, which must not be overlooked. As stated at the outset, the American farmer of today frequently has an uphill task to make even a livelihood. Certainly he does not often declare large dividends. He has very scanty means under the present conditions of deciding whether the seed he sows, and upon which his bread and butter depends, is what it should be, until the best part of a season has elapsed and it is too late to remedy the effect of sowing poor seed. HoAv many, who sow grass seed for their meadows and lawns, know whether it corresponds to the name on the package or not ? Many of the varieties are unknown to the seedsman himself unless he is an expert in the business, and even experts are deceived in this matter. The more common varieties of seed themselves are often unknown to the ordinary farmer and gardener. He buys his seed almost entirely upon the statements of the dealer, and the dealer is not always reliable. A few days ago a sample of seed was submitted to me which had been purchased by a New Hampshire farmer for rye grass {Lolium perenne). It did not contain a single seed of that species, but every seed proved to be chess (Bronms secalinus) ! Think of selling a man seed of one of the worst weeds he has to contend with — one which is already a vile pest on many farms ! Every honorable person, be he a seedsman or planter, will join in demanding severe punishment of the perpetrator of deeds of this kind. When once awakened to the gravity of the situation, the American farmer will hold some one responsible for such dishonest SEED CONTROL. 77 practices. Xo " non-warranty " clause of a seed catalogue will enable the dealer to shirk the responsibility of selling bad seed. One of the most stupendous frauds in the seed trade relates to the pseudo-new varieties which are sent out with extravagant descriptions and under the most high-sounding names. Accom- panying these there may be brilliant colored pictures, perhaps shoAving a sachaline plant, by whose side a man looks like a dwarf, or a melon too large to be gotten into a wheelbarrow. Generally these " golden-wonder,"' '• mammoth early," sorts are old and well- known varieties sailing under false colors. The experienced gardener may not be deceived by such representations, but other people are. Oftentimes it is largely the buyer's fault, to be sure, since a large number of people seem to delight in being hood- winked, and will eagerly purchase seed Avhen twenty or thirty packages are offered for one dollar, or four for a quarter, regard- less of the fact that they are likely to be cheated in the trans- action. A few weeks ago a case was before the Supreme Court, at Long- Island City, N. Y., in which some celery growers sued a seedsman for six thousand dollars damages. They had purchased seed under the name of " golden self-blanching celery," but it turned out to be some kind of wild celery, resulting in an entire loss of the crop. The seed had been sold under the so-called "non- warranty " provision of the seed catalogues which T have already given, hence the Court ruled that damages could not be allowed. The trade journal reporting the case says that the result is hailed with great rejoicing among seedsmen, as no doubt it is, for it means, unless some just seed control laws are enacted in tiiis country, that the gardener, horticulturist, and farmer will have no protection whatever against the abuses of the seed trade. The dealer claims that he cannot be reasonably required to warrant a variety of seed true to name, since cultivated plants often revert to their native state. If this excuse be valid, the seedsman ought to advertise such varieties as possible reversions to the original stock. He cannot throw the blame upon the grower, since it is the seedsman's business to know that the seeds he sells are genuine, pure, and germinable, and it should be the privilege of the planter to have reliable information upon the same points and in all cases. This is the object of seed control. 78 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Whether seed control methods are adopted in this country or not, every buyer shouhl have some reliable way of ascertaining the value of his own seed. Purity tests will probably not be difficult to make, except in the case of grasses. To identify these will give even the skilled buyer some trouble. If there are no scales within reach, the percentage of impurity can be estimated fairly well by measuring the bulk of pure and impure seeds, though weighing is a much more satisfactory method. In mak- ing germination tests, an average number of large, small, and medium-sized seeds should be selected in lots of one or two hun- dred for each test. In regular seed examination, two lots of two hundred seeds each are usually chosen. Sometimes lots of three hundred are used, the idea being that the larger the number of seeds taken, the smaller Avill be the chance of error. For prac- tical purposes one hundred will do very well, especially of the larger kinds, as corn, oats, melons, etc. Since the principal factors aifecting germination are heat, moisture, and air, it is necessary to provide proper amounts of each. Seventy degrees Fahrenheit, which is about the tempera- ture of an ordinary living-room, will do very well for most seeds. The supply of a suitable amount of moisture is a more difficult problem than that of temperature, since seeds vary greatly in the amount of moisture required for germination. In general, it may be said that large seeds and those with hard coats will stand more moisture than smaller ones, but different kinds of seed vary so much upon this point, that no safe rule can be given. Perhaps the plate method is the handiest way of making home germination tests which Avill prove at all serviceable. This con- sists in the use of two folds of white flannel cloth, thoroughly wet, between which the seeds, having been carefully counted out, are placed. A soup plate covered with a common dinner plate is used for holding the outfit. The cloths will need to be freshly moistened two or three times a week, according to the dryness of the atmosphere where the plates are kept. Other simple appliances have been recommended for home testing, such as porous flower pot saucers placed in pans contain- ing water ; plates set in similar pans and hohling clotlis which dip into the water so as to keep the moisture constant, etc. Probably the surest way to ascertain the germinating ])o\ver of seeds is to sow them in soil in a flower pot (or, jireferably, a SEED COXTROL. 79 "flat"), covering them very lightly with soil or tine sand, and keeping the pots closed to retain the moisture. Seeds cannot be examined so well from time to time, however, if this method is adopted. In making tests the seeds should be looked over every day, those which have sprouted being removed, and a record kept of the same. At the close of the test, the hard seeds remaining should be cut in two with a sharp knife, to ascertain whether a live germ is within. In such cases due allowance should be made, as a certain per cent of these seeds would probably have germi- nated in a longer time. Ten days is sufficient for testing the germination of the cereals, clovers, and most vegetable seeds, except beet and carrot, which require at least fourteen days. The majority of grasses need twenty-one days ; timothy and rye grass, however, require but fourteen, while the Poas need twenty-eight days. Tree seeds require from twenty-eight to forty-two days, or longer, and special germination metliods. There is usually enough air within the seed or immediately surrounding it, to suffice for the mere act of germination, which is all we are concerned with at present. Each kind of seed is said to have a certain germinative energy, by which is meant the period required to sprout one-half or more of the seeds of a fresh and good sample of that species. This period varies from three to seven days in most commercial varieties, and is a matter of considerable importance, especially where a prompt decision is wished on the supposed germinative value of a samide under consideration. For example, if a certain lot of radish seed does not show fifty per cent of germination within three days, it is probably old seed. Likewise, if seed begins to get mouldy after a few days' germination trial, it may be pretty safely set down as old stock, provided the test has been properly c(/nducted. However, no system of private seed inspection or testing, either by the dealer or grower, can secure the end desired ; nam<'ly, accurate information as to the qiuility of all seed offered for sale, as well as the exclusion of wares containing seeds of weeds which wouhl prove a serious menace to agriculture. Thi' seedsman may test liis seed with the utmost care, as many do. Itut so long as ue furnishes no guarantee to the buyer, such 80 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. tests are not necessarily of any value whatever to the latter. On the other hand, neither the seedsman nor the buyer would have equally as good facilities for testing seeds as a Control or Experi- ment Station devoted entirely to that purpose. With our present system of State Agricultural Experiment Stations it seems as if seed control work in this country could be best undertaken by some of them. The Department of Agri- culture stands ready to furnish any assistance along this line which properly comes Avithin its province. A few of our stations have paid some attention to the testing of seeds, particularly the ISTorth Carolina station, but no definite control has yet come from it. A course on practical seed-testing should be given in all our agricultural colleges, as there is great need in this country among farmers and others for a good knowl- edge of seeds, further than that which is now furnished almost exclusively by seed catalogues, — a very dubious source of infor- mation in many cases. Practical lectures along this line should be given at farmers' institutes, before agricultural and horticultural societies, etc., until the farmer and gardener become alive to the importance of the subject and the need for some system of Seed Control. I would like to see this Society take steps for the introduction of Seed Control measures within this State, perhaps asking the Legislature to appropriate an adequate sum for equipping and conducting a Seed Control Station, at the same time requiring dealers to furnish their customers with a guarantee of the germi- nation and purity of all seeds sold by them. It is not likely that such a bill would be passed Avithout great opposition from the petty dealers and quacks in the seed trade, for it would be a great blow to their operations. On the other hand, although the cost and trouble involved might inconvenience the honorable seedsmen more or less at first, there is no question that in the end such seedsmen would be greatly benefited along with the farmer and gardener, and it is for the best interests of the trade as well as the vast army of seed planters in this country that we make this plea for seed control in America. In this paper we have not liad time to deal with the importance of grading seeds according to size and weight. As a usual thing no attention is paid to this matter in the seeds offered to home buyers. When clover seed, for instance, is shipped abroad, our SEED CONTROL. 81 exporters are required not only to equal the sample furnished in purity and germination, but it must be up to a certain grade in size. Foreigners recognize the fact, which our people have scarcely begun to appreciate, that there is a great difference in the value of seed wares, even in the matter of size alone, large seed as a rule producing better plants. Seed selection, however, is a great subject by itself and merits special attention at some future time. Here I wish to reiterate and emphasize the statement made at the outset, that in speaking today of the evils of the seed trade, no matter what impression our remarks may leave, we have no reference at all to the honorable dealer, by whom we mean the seedsman who is not guilty of any of the fraudulent practices mentioned herein. We leave to others judgment on the man who sells bad seed through ignorance or carelessness, instead of intent, recalling, however, the common principle that " ignorance is no excuse." In conclusion we will state a few benefits of seed control, among the many which might be given : 1. Seed control would furnish reliable and non-partisan infor- mation of the real worth of commercial seeds. 2. The publicity given to the tests would act as a great incen- tive to dealers to furnish only good seed. 3. The honorable seedsman would be protected against the dishonorable dealer with whom he is now obliged to compete. 4. The farmer, gardener, and horticulturist could ascertain, free of cost, or for a small amount, the value of seeds purchased from dealers connected with the seed control. 5. The impositions which are now frequently practised by seedsmen upon the ignorance and credulity of their customers would be greatly diminished. 6. A universal and thorough system of seed control in America would lessen in a great measure the importation of bad weed seeds. 7. The interest awakened among farmers and others in a practical study of seeds, together with the knowledge upon the subject disseminated by the stations, although a secondary bene- fit, would be of immense value to American agriculture and horticulture. 82 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Discussion. Mr. Hicks illustrated his lecture by four cliarts. (1.) Cotton seed and its germination. (2.) Grass " seed " adulterations. (3.) Commercial grass "seed." (4.) Ked clover seed and its principal impurities. William C. Strong said that he had had painful experiences with seeds and could see a great difficulty in the matter of guarantees ; it is a hard question for seedsmen. He had had "weeds come up with his seed, and feels that we ought to take some action. He requested Mr. Hicks to tell exactly Avhat ought to be done. Mr. Hicks replied that after briefly stating the necessity to the Legislature, an appropriation ought to be asked for (probably not more than three or four thousand dollars would be needed for this purpose) to start a Seed Control Station. Such a station could be managed either in connection with this Society or some other good horticultural or agricultural society, or by the State Agricultural Experiment Station. Experiment Stations do not receive money enough to carry on this line of work' to any extent, but they usu- ally have experienced men, greenhouses, etc., Avhich would make them the best places for the location of seed-testing stations. The sale of seeds containing dodder, Russian thistle, and similar pests, should be prohibited by law. A general law that no com- mon seed should contain more than five per cent of impurity should be established. As the germinative capacity of seeds can- not be determined by mere inspection, dealers should be required to have their seeds tested and should state the percentage which will vegetate, a certain amount being allowed for variation in tests, and should fix their prices accordingly. Robert Farquhar wished a lecture like this could be delivered before every farmers' institute in the country. Some farmers, he said, do not appreciate the cost of producing good seed. A very interesting lecture could be given on the methods used by good dealers in testing. The impression may have gone abroad that no seedsman could be sued, but such is not the case. A farmer bought two pounds of Purple-top Flat turnip, and said it produced Ruta-baga turnips. Mr. Faripihar proved that his seed had never been sown, but Ivuta-baga liad. The dut}' of every SEED CONTROL. 83 seedsman is to sell seed of the best qualit}'. If seedsmen knew that their seeds Avould be tested and advertised it would tend towards purity. Hon. James J. H. Gregory spoke of the risks and cares of the seed business, and the Avrong impression often drawn by the planters, who frequently accuse the seed-grower unjustly for fiiilure caused by their own mistakes. First-class seedsmen have to, and do, both as a matter of conscience and business wisdom, destroy a great quantity of seed on account of Ioav vitalit}^ ; seeds are not like grain, and are never graded ; if they were, they might be sold at lower prices. Onion seed some years is as high as ninety -five per cent in germination ; other years seed of the same varieties, though quite new, is very poor in germinating quality. Old seeds will sometimes push out a root, and go no further. Tests under cover are not like tests outside. We want to encourage public sentiment for good seed. The many risks incidental to the business all show the advantage of seedsmen growing the seed they sell. We cannot believe that seedsmen, as a rule, sell worthless seed. Varnum Frost thought a great deal depended on the persons sowing the seeds. The nature of the seeds must be known, and the conditions should be favorable for seed to germinate. Seeds of Cucurbitaceous plants, such as the melon, squash, and cucum- ber, require different soil temperatures and degrees of moisture from those needed by dandelions, lettuce, peas, celery, and beets ; the latter class do better in lower temperatures with more moisture. Weather conditions contribute more to the germina- tion of seed than anything else. In conclusion, after fifty years' experience he said he would not dare to sell seed which he had grown himself under the best conditions, to persons who do not understand the requirements of each kind of seed, if he had to guarantee them. Under no circumstances could a man do busi- ness on this plan. Mr. Hicks made a point that a great deal depends on the methods of sowing. Testing, however, should not be left entirely to the farmer or to the seedsman. Trained and efficient persons connected with a station thoroughly ec^uipped for the purpose, should conduct impartial tests in the laboratory, in the greenhouse, and outdoors. Some kinds of seed will not germinate well in cloth. June grass comes up best in the soil. 84 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. MEETING EOE, LECTUEE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, February 15, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Fkancis H, Appletox, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : On Some Scale liS^sECTs. By L. O. HowAED, Chief of the Division of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. All over the country orchardists are now greatly interested in the subject of scale insects. This revival of interest in these creatures among growers of deciduous fruit trees in the East is largely the result of the establishment in this part of the country of the San Jose scale. Other species, however, have become prom- inent of late, and general treatment for scale insects is gradu- ally becoming one of the elements of successful apple, pear, and peach growing. One of the principal and most fortunate results of this appearance of the San Jose scale in the East — if such a dis- aster can be called fortunate from any point of view — is the direction of the attention of all persons interested in, or in any way connected with, fruit and shade or ornamental trees, towards the great evils which are liable to be brought about through the distribution of diseased stock by nurserymen, and towards the whole subject of legislation against injurious insects. It is my purpose in this paper to lay before you some of the facts concern- ing the most important of the scale insects which are to be found, or are liable soon to occur, upon your fruit and shade trees ; to discuss to some extent the matter of remedies ; and to dwell more particularly upon the two great questions referred to. The State of Massachusetts is rather fortunately situated with regard to injurious insects, and the methods of cultivation gener- ally adopted are advanced in their character. Clean cultivation is the rule, and horticulturists are an exceptionally intelligent class of people. Holdings in general are small, and the State is far enough north to escape many of the most important insect pests. Even Massachusetts trees, however, suffer from the at- tacks of a number of injurious species, and there are still others which are as yet to be found liere in small numbers only, whose increase is to be guarded against ; and others, again, which are SOME SCALE INSECTS. 85 liable to be iatroducecl into the State upon niirser}' stock, and which will certainly flourish here if once introduced. In speaking of the State of Massachusetts as a whole it must be remembered that the same conditions do not prevail over the entire State. Yon have a double watershed from an elevated north and south ridge, passing through the vicinity of Worcester, sloping gradually towards the eastern seacoast in one direction and towards the valley of the Connecticut river in the other. West of the Connecticut river there is a more abrupt rise to the Berkshire hills, and thence a descent of almost equal abruptness to the valley of the Hudson river in New York. It results from this conformation that more southern forms are found in a com- paratively narrow strip up the valley of the Connecticut river and to a lesser extent up the seacoast, than in other and more elevated portions of the State ; and experience has shown that certain insects will establish themselves in these strips which will not continue to reproduce and multiply when accidentally introduced into other Massachusetts localities. This principle, which is now fairly well established, has especial significance in considering the question of the possible future damage in Mas- sachusetts by two of the most important scale insects injurious to fruit trees ; I refer to the San Jose scale and the so-called West Indian peach scale. So far as our experience goes (and this experience may be said to be based upon more than negative evi- dence) neither of these species will prove itself especially injuri- ous in regions Avhich belong to the transition life zone, which includes all of Massachusetts except the strip mentioned. It is even likely that both species will die out if introduced at any point in this life zone. The San Jose scale, as you know, was brought from California on the Kelsey plum, to two large nurseries in New Jersey — those of Parry Bros., at Parry ville, and J. T. Lovett, at Little Silver — in 1886 or 1887. The trees were undoubtedly thoroughly infested when received ; did not thrive ; and in both cases most of them were ultimately taken up and destroyed. The stock, how- ever, had been multiplied by nursery methods, and from the origi- nal stock and that subsequently obtained, the scale spread more or less completely through both nurseries in question. Now, from that year until 1893, both these nurseries (and as you know, both, during that period, did an enormous business) sent S6 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. out nurseiy stock north, south, east, and west, and a certain pro- portion of this stock carried upon it the San Jose scale. The scale was not recognized until the summer of 1893, when I found it upon some pears from Charlottesville, Va. Since that time my investigations have resulted in the ascertaining of nearh* two hundred jioints in which the scale has established itself and be- come destructive. Not one of these points is in territory which . clearly belongs to the transition life zone, and 3'et who can ques- tion the statement that thousands and thousands of young trees bearing this scale must have been sold to fruit growers located within this region, and have been planted by them. Even considering the San Jose scale by itself, the evidence is entitled to great consideration, and to my mind is sufficiently strong to form a basis for a guarded prediction. But it must be further remembered that this is but a single instance among very many known to us, and that it is upon the mass of facts we are basing our knowledge of the indications of the general laws which govern the geographical distribution of species. There are, however, localities in your State where the San Jose scale and the West Indian peach scale are liable to do great dam- age, and it thus becomes necessar^^ for fruit growers to inform themselves about both species. I have now in proof a complete bulletin referring to the whole subject of the San Jose scale, which it will give me pleasure to send to any members of this Society who care to apply for it, so that it will not be necessary here to treat of this insect at any great length. The life histor}- of all scale insects may be briefly summarized very much as follows : The eggs are laid by the adult female either immediately be- neath her own body or at its posterior extremity. Certain species do not lay eggs, but give birth to living 3'oung, as do the plant lice. This abnormal habit is not characteristic of any par- ticular group of forms, but is found with individual species in one or more genera. The young, on hatching from the eggs, are active, six-legged, mite-like creatures, which crawl rapidly away from the body of the mother, wander out upon the new and ten- der growth of the tree, and there settle, pushing their beaks through the outer tissue of the leaf or twig and feeding upon the sap. Even in this early stage the male insect can be distin- guished from the female by certain differences in structure. As SOME SCALE INSECTS. 87 .a general thing, the female casts its skin from three to five times before reaching the adult condition, and beginning to lay eggs or give birth to young. With each successive molt the insect in- creases in size and becomes usually more convex in form. Its legs and antennae become proj^ortionately reduced, and its eyes become smaller and are finally lost. As a general thing it is in- capable of moving itself after the second molt, from the spot where it has fixed itself, although certain species crawl through- out life. The adult female insect, then, is a motionless, degraded, wingless, and, for all practical purposes, legless and eyeless crea- ture. In the armored scales she is absolutely legless and eyeless. The mouth parts, through which she derives nourishment, remain functional, and have enlarged from molt to molt. Her body becomes swollen with eggs or young, and as soon as these are laid or born she dies. The life of the male differs radically frouL that of the female. Up to the second molt the life history is practically parallel in both sexes, but after this period the male larva transforms to a pupa, in which the organs of the perfectly developed, fledged in- sect become apparent. Tliis change mav be undergone within a cocoon or under a male scale. The adult male, which emerges from the pupa at about the time when the female becomes full grown, is an active and rather highly organized creature, with two broad, functional wings and long vibrating antennae. The legs are also long and stout. The hind wings are absent, and are re- placed by rather long tubercles, to the end of each of which is articulated a strong bristle, hooked at the tip, the tip fitting into a pocket on the hind border of the wings. The eyes of the male insect are very large and strongly faceted. The mouth parts are entirely absent, their place being taken by supplementary eye spots. The function of the male insect is simply to fertilize the female, and it then dies. The number of generations annually, among bark lice, differs so widely with different forms that no general statement can be made. As a general rule scale insects have been divided, both from the classificatory standpoint and from the standpoint of practical remedial treatment, into those which are armored or secrete scales over their bodies, and those which are naked and have no differentiated scale. From the practical standpoint, however, this division is of no great use, since even the so-called naked 88 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. scale insects become so hard-bodied, and tlieir integument is com- posed of such solid chitine, that they are practically as resistant to the action of washes as are those species which have a dense scale of wax. A better classification, when we are considering the matter of remedies, is to divide the group into those species which give birth to living young and those which lay eggs. The object of this division will be at once apparent. Those scale insects which give birth to living young, drop a number of young per day for a comparatively long period. Those first hatched become resistant to the action of washes within a few days, so that at no one time do we have even a majority of the insects in the young and unprotected condition in which washes, weak enough to do no damage to the foliage, will kill them. With the scale insects which lay eggs, on the contrary, there is a more or less definite hatching period. In other Avords, all the eggs in a given generation hatch at approximately the same time, and the majority of the young are in a condition to be killed by weak washes at about the same time. The species that give birth to living young can therefore be treated to advantage only in the winter, when there will be no danger of injuring the foliage of the trees by the action of washes which are strong enough to kill the insects under their scales.' The best example of this class is the San Jose scale. The egg-laying species, as exemplified by the common oyster-shell barklouse of the apple, pass the winter (most of them) in the egg condition under the old mother scales. They hatch, approximately all together, the latter part of May or in June, and at this critical time may be destroyed by the dilute kerosene emulsion. Let us hurriedly, then, take up a number of species, all of which Massachusetts fruit growers should know. But a few Avords need be said about each, since the illustrations on the screen and the specimens which I shall exhibit afterwards, will convey a more definite idea of the appearance of the insects than any words of description. The lecturer next gave a brief account of the following species, of some of which engravings from the publications of the Department of Agriculture are here presented : The San Jose scale (Aspidiotvs 2^ern!ciosifs), Fig. 1. Oyster shell barklouse of the apple {Mytilaspis ^lomoru m) ,Y\g. 2. Fig. 1. — Aspidiotiin piruirhtsnti (The ^^au Jose or Pernicious Scale), on pear fruit aud twig, with enlarged male and female scales. {From U.S. Be/it. Agric.) YiG. 2. — Jfytiluspis pomortim (Tlie Oyster-shell Barls LouseJ : a, female scale from below, showing eggs; 6, same from above — greatly enlarged; c, female scales. {From U.S. Dept. Agric.) Fig. 5. — Diaspis roxix (The Rose Scale) : 1, natural size on Iwigs; In, female scale - enlarged; lb, male scale — enlarged. (From i'.S. Dept. Agric.) Marx id Fig. 6. — C/iionaspns eiionymi (The Euonj-mus Scale) : Scale natural size on leaf and twig; a, male scale — enlarged; 6, female scale — enlarged. (From U.S. Dept. Agric.) SOME SCALE INSECTS. 89 Scurfy barkloiise {Chionaspis furfurus), Fig. 3. West Indian peach scale (Diaspis lanatus), Fig. 4. Kose and blackberry scale (Dlaspis rosce), Fig. 5. Etionymus scale (^Chionasjyis euoni/mi), Fig. 6. Beech and Linden scale (Prosopophora sp.). "Willow scale (Chionaspis salicis). Imported oak barklonse {Asterodiaspiis qnercicola). Cottony maple barklouse {Tulvinaria inmLinerahilis). Maple leaf scale insect (Pseudococcus aceris). English walnut scale (^Aspidiotus juglans-regioi), Fig. 7. Rapacious scale (Aspidiotus cameUiw), "Fig. 8. Common plum Lecanium (Lecanium prunastri) . Remedies for Scale Insects. — Experimental work with remedies for scale insects was begun by the Department of Agri- culture in 1880, at a time when Professor Comstock made his extensive investigation of the insects of this group. The recom- mendations which he made at that time practically focussed upon whale-oil soap. In California he found that this substance, ap- plied at the rate of three-quarters of a pound to the gallon of water and at a temperature of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit, killed every individual of the red scale upon orange. Two years later the remarkable work of ]Mr. H. G. Hubbard upon the scale insects of the orange in Florida resulted in the systematizing of the work with kerosene emulsions, and demonstrated that no better mixtures can be applied to unprotected scale insects than a solution of the standard kerosene soap emulsion in ten parts of water. Mr. Hubbard's results were widely published, and his mixture remained from that time until two years ago the generally accepted and almost solely used remedy against scale insects. No satisfactory experiments with winter washes were made in the East until tlie winter of 1893-94. California workers had, in the meantime, however, developed a line of washes based in the main on lime, salt, and sulphur, or lime, sulphur, and blue vitriol, or resin, caustic soda, and fish oil. In the winter of 189.3-94 exten- sive experiments were begun at the Department of Agriculture in Washington, and these California washes were naturally tested at the start. It was found, somewhat to our surprise, that although the evidence in favor of their efficacy on the Pacific slope Avas not to be doubted, in the East they were practically of no use. By no means all of the scales were killed, and in some ^•0 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. instances such an absurdly low proportion of the insects died that this line of experimentation was soon abandoned. The reason for this extraordinary difference in the efficac}' of these washes may be laid partly to differences in the average winter temperature between the two sections, and partly to the great difference in precipitation in the early part of the winter. Following these early experiments, many other substances, in many combinations, were tested, and, not to Avorry you with details, the practical outcome has been that for dormant trees affected by practically any scale insect, the best wash beyond all doubt was shown to be whale-oil soap in considerable strength. Some species are more susceptible to the action of the wash than are others. Even against the extremely hardy San Jose scale, one and three-quarters of a pound of the soap to the gallon of water, put on thoroughly, has proved absolutely effective. It is advised that the applications be made in the autumn after the leaves fall, and again in the spring before the buds burst. Little or no harm will be done if the application be made at even a later date, since in April peach trees in full bloom have been treated with no serious consequences. Experiments on a large scale seem to show that the fall application has occasionalh' an injurious effect in limiting the amount of bloom the following spring, but the increased vigor of the plant probably more than offsets the falling of the bloom. The greatest difficulty with the soap washes, and one which m.ust be obviated before uniform results can be hoped for, is in the varying strength and character of the soap used. Xo two brands of soap on the market are alike, and the differing results which are obtained by experimenters are undoubtedly due in large measure to the character of the soap itself, in connection, of course, with the varying climatic conditions. In addition to securing a good strong caustic soap, one is wanted which, at the strength employed on cooling, will not become a semi-solid or glutinous stringy mass, as do most of the ordinary soaps and also many of the hsh-oil soaps of more recent nuiuufacture. The old whale- or fish-oil soap employed in the original experi- ments could be sprayed in solution at three pounds to the gallon, and this is a most necessary characteristic. It is liighly desira- ble, therefore, that soap makers should be encouraged to under- take the manufacture of a definite brand of soap which can be SOME SCALE INSECTS. 91 relied upon to be uniform in composition and strength, and, if possible, to have some authoritative supervision to insure such results. We have, then, two mixtures upon which we can rely. First, the standard kerosene emulsion, diluted with ten parts of water, for application to the trees while in full foliage in summer and autumn. Second, whale-oil soap at one and three-fourths pounds to the gallon of water, applied in the late fall and early spring to the dormant scales. Natural Exemies of Scale Insects. — The extraordinary results which followed the introduction of the Australian lad}^- bird (or ladybug as it is more frequently called) into the orange groves of California at a time when their complete destruction was threatened by the white or cottony cushion scale, have attracted an enormous amount of attention to this method of fighting scale insects. As has been repeatedly pointed out in the publications of the Department of Agriculture, this instance was exceptional, and, in fact, practically unique. We had an imported insect to deal with ; we had ascertained its original home ; we knew that in its original home it was not abundant or destructive, and that therefore it was being kept in check by some specific enemy, since other species of scale insects abounded there and were injurious to vegetation. With no other imported scale insect at the ]3resent day do we have these grounds to work from. Nevertheless, this fact is ignored, and persons whose orchards are suffering and who are disinclined to go to the trouble and expense of spraying, are continually agitating the question of parasites and natural enemies. The first Australian ladybird, the Vedalia, as it is called, is being constantly asked for for all sorts of scale insects, and its careless distribution has, in one instance at least, resulted not in a benefit to the section into which it was introduced, but in a great detriment, since, with the predatory insect itself was sent a supply of the fluted scale as food, and when the specimens were liberated the Vedalias died and the scale insect established itself in new territory. A great deal has been said about the merits of the later importa- tions of predaceous insects from Australia to California. Mr. Koebele, the original discoverer of the Vedalia, during an extended trip to New Zealand and Australia, sent to California a number of species of Coccinellids, which were found by him to 92 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. feed upon several species of destructive scales. That some of these later importations have multiplied and done good work in restricted localities, there seems little doubt, judging from the emphatic statements of members of the California State Board of Horticulture and their agents and employees. Statements from others as to the inefRcacy of the importations are almost equally emphatic, and it is difficult for a person in the East to gain a clear idea as to the present condition of affairs. The greatest danger in undertaking to use parasites and pre- daceous insects experimentally on a large scale is that time and money are lost in a dreary waiting for results which may never be achieved. I would, nevertheless, not be understood as con- demning careful experiments in this direction, and I am glad to notice that the State Board of Agriculture of New Jersey has endeavored to get an appropriation of a thousand dollars through the Legislature this winter for the purpose of sending Professor Smith, of Rutgers College, to California to collect natural ene- mies of the San Jose scale, and introduce them into jSTew Jersey. New Jersey is now the worst sufferer from this insect, and in the absence of a State law compelling insecticide work, and with many fruit growers disinclined to undertake any such work, conditions are very satisfactory for an experiment of this kind. In the beginning of the winter I had made arrangements for a similar introduction of these insects, as well as of a supposed fungus disease which kills the San Jose scale, into infested orchards in Maryland, and there is a possibility that results of importance may be gained. We have already in the East many insects which feed upon bark lice, and many species of parasites which destroy them. There is no practical way, however, of bringing about any increase in the numbers of any of these species, and their work is, from a practical standpoint, not worth consideration. The Nursery Question. — The wide distribution of the San Jose scale in the years following 1887, by Parry Brothers, by J. T, Lovett and his successors, the J. T. Lovett Company; by the Franklin Davis Company, Keene & Foulke, P. Boulon, Par- sons & Sons, the Shady Hill Nurseries, J. A. Eamsburg. and the Cherokee Nurseries, has served to draw especial attention to the fact that for many years luirseries have been distributing bark lice and other destructive insects far and wide. In the ffreat SOME SCALE IXSECTS. 93 majority of cases this distrilmtion has been made unwittingly. In the case of the San Jose scale there can be no question of the fact that none of the nurserymen engaged in its spread had the slightest idea that they were sending out such an orchard scourge. Further, it must be said that as soon as the matter was brought to their attention, almost without exception they made every effort to stamp the insect out in their nurseries, and to stop its future distribution. The Parry Brothers, for example, destroyed thousands of young plants, and applied the best available reme- dies to all their remaining trees. It is certain that as a result of this occurrence, nurserymen in future will examine their stock more closely, and will be far more careful than the}' have been in the past, so that, after all, the introduction of this insect into the East has not been an unmixed evil. Just as there are care- less, in fact criminally careless, persons in all walks of life, so there must be careless nurserymen, and under present conditions fruit growers will not be able to rely upon the absolutely clean condition of any stock which they buy. It has been suggested that every person purchasing nursery stock should demand a guar- antee from the seller, — a guarantee which states definitely that the stock has at no time been infested with injurious insects, and that it is in vigorous healthy condition ; and which further agrees, that in case the stock should be found to be infested with scale insects within a certain time from the date of purchase, it shall be replaced with sound stock without cost to the purchaser. Most nurserymen would be ready to furnish sucli a certificate, but nevertheless this will hardly cover the case. The mere re- placing of the stock is a comparatively small matter, but the purchaser will have no redress for the damage done by the in- troduction of such insects as the San Jose scale and its spread to his older trees. It is here, as in other aspects of the question, that we must look for legislative aid. The responsibility of tlie nurseryman should be fixed by law. His respcmsibility should extend not only to his own stock, but to all stock which he handles in fulfilling his contracts or those of his agents. That the vast njajority of the nurserj-men of this country are alive to their own interests in this matter, and that they have either, directly or indirectly, the interests of the fruit-growing population at heart, is thoroughly shown by a resolution passed at the Indianapolis meeting of the American Association of 94 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ISTnrserymen last summer. Professor Webster, of Ohio, had handled the whole question without gloves ; he had shown up the part taken by nurserymen in the distribution of the San Jose scale in the clearest light ; he had commended the frank, whole- hearted and straightforward course of the Parry Brothers, and had condemned in the most caustic manner the shiftless, evasive, not to say dishonest, actions of certain other firms. On the conclusion of this paper, Colonel Watrous, of Des Moines, Iowa, rose instantly and said, " I think that a paper that comes out and deals Avith onr interests as fairly and as wisely and intelli- gently as this one, deserves a vote of thanks ; and I move that a vote of thanks of this association be tendered Professor Webster for his paper, and that we approve his course." The motion was seconded and carried unanimously, and the further discus- sion showed that the members of the American Association of Nurserymen are heartily desirous of working for the best interests of the fruit growers, and are willing to work hand in hand with the official economic entomologists. Legislation. — The subject of insect legislation has been brought more strongly than ever to the attention of the agricul- turist and horticulturist in the East by this outbreak of the San Jose scale, and in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia steps have been taken in the direction of legislation against this specific insect. More than a year ago, in anticipation of an ex- pected demand for information on the subject of legislation against injurious insects in general, I compiled a bulletin which brought together all the recent laAvs in the several States of the Union against injurious insects. The demand for this bulletin has been so great from agricultural and horticultural societies interesting themselves in this matter, that the small edition has already become exhausted. The most progressive State in this direction is California. Her fruit-growing interests are so great and her climate naturally so favorable to the multiplication of injurious insects of many kinds that she naturally takes the lead in this direction. An experience of fifteen years in this Avork has enabled her horti- cultural societies to bring about a gradual improvement of the laws and regulations, until the State is at present in excellent condition to control, so far as may be, any outbreak of injurious insects, and in fact to prevent such outbreaks. Briefiy summar- SOME SCALE INSECTS. 95 ized, the State laws provide that whenever a petition is presented to the Board of Supervisors of any county signed by twenty-five persons possessing orchards, calling attention to any orchards which are affected with injurious insects, the Board shall within twenty days select three commissioners for the county, to be known as the County Board of Horticultural Commissioners. These commissioners serve three years, and it is their duty, whenever they deem it necessary, to cause an inspection to be made of any orchards, nurseries, fruit-packing houses, or salesrooms, and if they are found infested with injurious insects to notify the owner or person in charge, of the condition of affairs, and require them to eradicate and destroy the pest. If the owner refuses or neglects to abate the nuisance, the commissioners do the work themselves, the Expense becoming a county charge, the sums so placed being a lien on the property from which the nuisance has been removed. The commissioners further have power to divide the county into districts and appoint local inspectors. At the same time the State Board of Horticulture is empowered to make certain regulations covering the State work, and cover- ing the introduction of new injurious insects into the State. Some of these regulations which bear upon quarantine provide for the inspection of all trees, plants, buds, and scions brought into the State. The quarantine officer of the Board must be notified within twenty-four hours of the arrival of such pack- ages, which must be disinfected according to the methods laid down by the Board, upon arrival at any point where they are to be unloaded. It any of them are found to be infested with insects or fungous diseases, they must remain in quarantine four- teen days, or until the quarantine guardian can certify that they are free. Railroads are required to notify the State Board of Horticulture of the arrival of trees or plants from outside the State, postal cards backed with the blank forms being furnished by the Board for this purpose. The United States Customs officers and the Southern Pacific Eailway, in particular, render the Board of Horticulture most valuable assistance. It may be interesting to quote in full the instructions of the Southern Pacific Railway Company to its agents. They are as follows : " Agents are hereby forbidden to deliver any trees, plants, cut- tings, grafts, buds, scions, seeds, or pits received from any point 96 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. outside the county in ^vhich their station is located, until such shipment has been inspected by the official duly appointed for the district in which said station is located. If no county horti- cultural quarantine has been authorized by the Board of County Supervisors, inspection is not required, unless the shipment orig- inated outside of the State of California, in which case property must be held until inspected by the State Board of Horticulture. " All agents must keep themselves fully advised of all horticult- ural ordinances passed, names, districts, and addresses of in- spectors appointed by the county in which the station is located, and will cooperate Avith and follow all instructions of such in- spectors, that, by joint effort of the company and the various horticultural Boards, the best interests of the State may be served." Fruit growers in California thus ha.ve the matter of insect pests practically in their own hands, and the work of any county will be practically controlled by twenty-five enlightened fruit growers. The early adoption of any such stringent legislation in Eastern States is doubtful, but there is a growing necessity in every State for a well-framed law which may be put into opera- tion at the outset of any threatened outbreak of an introduced or native species. Absolute safety by means of quarantine is hardly to be accomplished even in California, and in a state so well protected by its geographical situation as Massachusetts, there is by no means the same need for a rigid quarantine. A general law, however, ready to be put into operation might have saved Massachusetts many thousands of dollars in the case of the Gypsy Moth. Such a law in New York would enable efficient work against that almost equally destructive European insect now flourishing in the vicinity of New York City, the Leopard Moth ; while such a law in New Jersey would enable the exter- mination at the present day of the recently imported pear-tree borer — an insect which, if it spreads, will render the growing of pears all through the country a much more difficult and expensive matter than it is at present. The objection to such legislation has always been the fear of possible abuse of oppor- tunities ; but the danger in this direction, it seems to me, is not worth considering compared with the danger possible, and even probable, to our horticultural interests in the absence of proper laws. SOME 8CALE INSECTS. 97 DiSOUSSIOjS". Mr. Howard illustrated his lecture with stereopticon slides and with specimens of all of the insects considered. Professor Benjamin M. Watson asked, How can scale insects on small trees best be killed ? Mr. Howard replied that in California fumigation with hydro- cyanic gas, under an oiled tent, is most extensively practised. In the East this treatment has not been so successful. Here we must rely mainly upon spraying. J. W. Manning stated that in good orchards in California the insects are properly treated, but in other places they are as abundant as they are in neglected orchards in the East. He him- self had seen orchards in which the Vedalia was not abundant enough to keep down the fluted scale. William C. Strong moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Howard for his able and comprehensive lecture, Avhich was unanimously passed. Nathaniel T. Kidder inquired what kind of weather is most desirable for applying remedies. Mr. Howard replied that it was all important to apply them in dry weather. Some of our best washes, notably the whale-oil soaps, act slowly and do not reach their full effect for several weeks. If there is one season of the year which more than another is apt to be dry for an extended period, that season should be chosen for the application of these washes. The long- dry spell in the early winter in California is one reason for the superior action there of the lime, salt, and sulphur wash and the resin wash. Hon. William E. Sessions inquired about the method of spread of the San Jose scale. Mr. Howard stated that its natural spread was extremely slow, the young crawling but a short distance, while at forty-eight hours of age they cannot move. The spread, then, is largely ac- cidental. The active young cling to the feet of bird^ and to fly- ing insects and are thus carried from tree to tree and from orchard to orchard. The largest spread is accomplished by the commercial transportation of the insect on nursery stock and fruit. A young tree which has been badly infested for two or three years is likely to die. Very badly infested trees should be. dug up and burned. 98 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, Mr. Strong thought that we need not apprehend a very general increase in scales under conditions of clean culture, such as pre- vail rather generally in Massachusetts. Mr. Howard said that this remark of Mr. Strong's was undoubt- edly true as regards tlie old and well-knoAvn scales, such as the oyster-shell bark-louse and the scurfy bark-louse, but with certain of the ncAver species, such as the San Jose scale and the West Indian peach scale, clean culture will by no means suffice. Mr. Manning said that the Gossyparla idml or elm scale has become very common in portions of Massachusetts, and that he had seen it at Madison. N.J. He had worked assiduously to de- stroy it, but found it a difficult insect to fight. He had destroyed many young and thinks that his trees are now free from them. MEETING FOE LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, February 29, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion Avas holdeu today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appletox, in the chair. The following lecture Avas delivered on the John LeAvis Russell Foundation : Some Tendencies and Problems in the Evolution of Species AMONG Parasitic Fungi. By Professor George F. Atkinson, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. NotAvithstanding the great amount of information Avhich Ave already possess concerning the development and life histories of parasitic fungi, the labor of each year adds more and more to the stock of our knoAvledge on the subject. There is evidently much more still to be learned before Ave shall be in the possession of all the facts concerning these fungi Avhich it Avould be desirable to knoAV from even a practical standpoint. The accumulating evi- dence of the number of species, the variation in form, the influ- ence of environment, and their peculiar habit or adaptations, suggest that these plants are also affected by the operation of the laws of descent and differentiation, just as other organisms are. While Ave can do little more than speculate on the s\ibject at the present time, specuUition is often very fruitful in the outcome, EVOLUTION OF PARASITIC FUNGI. 99 because of the suggestions accompanying it which are often turned to good account. It does not seem out of place, therefore, at this time to point out what seem to me to be some of the ten- dencies in the evolution of species among parasitic fungi, and at the same time to call attention to some of the more practical problems which may l)e profitably considered. Tendency toward a Wide Eaxge in Parasitism. — One of the very striking tendencies which we see in the case of some of the parasitic fungi is that of a wide range in parasitism, so that the fungus is not confined to certain genera as hosts, nor even to the families in which these genera are located, but the range of their operations and injuries extends beyond these limits. In a sense they are omnivorous, and such species sometimes receive their specific name in recognition of the great versatility of their tastes and depredations, and their easy adaptation to a great variety of things in their gourmand-like search for dainty bits of pabulum. The common fruit rot is a good example of the fungus appe- tite which rarely goes begging for some satisfying morsel. It appears to be king of rots in the case of certain of our stone fruits, like the peach, plum, and cherry. But it also attacks the pomaceous fruits, berries, etc., and finds the twigs of the peach, cherry, and othei- fruits palatable. As with many other parasitic fungi, its growth and the injuries which it causes are alike hastened by the prevalence of wet or moist weather. It is also much more likely to attack overripe fruit, and the fruit grower who takes the precaution to pick his fruit for shipment while it is still firm, or he who selects the hard-fleshed varieties, often check- mates this enemy. The fact that it is more likely to attack the overripe fruit or the soft-fleshed varieties, indicates that it is not strictly an obligate parasite, and that, even when it is doing much of its injury, it perhaps could not be said to be existing as a par- asite, since the fruit is then in a very suitable condition to act as an excellent culture medium. It does, however, act as a serious parasite at times, and since it can adapt itself so readily to a saprophj^tic or parasitic existence, the question might be raised whether or not it is just now in the transitional stage, passing from a saprophytic life to a parasitic one. If this were the case we should expect that as time went on it would become more and more dependent on the host in a living condition, and that 100 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ultimately it would pass entirely from the domain of saprophyt- ism to the domain of parasitism. Unfortunately we are in the dark as to the true state of things, since we have not the recorded monilia genealogy for more than a few years back. It might, perhaps, be asked with equal pro- priet}', Is not the monilia passing from the parasitic habit to the saprophytic ? Here we are also in the dark, but it would seem that what little evidence we have would tend to show that this latter sug- gestion could not be true of the monilia, since we should expect to find that a fungus v/hich had been an obligate parasite on a very wide range of hosts for a long period would have developed numerous species as the hosts themselves became more and more unlike by the action of the law of evolution and variation among- themselves. If we look upon it as a saprophyte which is making its way into the domain of parasitism, its present habit of growing readily and abundantly during a large part of the season as a saprophyte Avould tend to prevent its lapse into distinct forms. It Avould be incorrect, however, not to admit that even in saprophytism the- Monilia fructigena could exist under conditions which would tend- to separate it into distinct species in the lapse of time. The fungus of potato and tomato rot also possesses quite a wide range in the hosts which give it sustenance. It occurs not only on many of the Solanaceae, but also on certain members of another family, the Scrophulariacese. So far as we know it is- much more of an obligate parasite than the monilia, and accord- ing to the experiments of a late renowned investigator of the fungi, Anton de Bary, it cannot live as a saprophyte, for when the tissues of the plant have decayed the mycelium of the fun- gus speedily dies in those parts. Brefeld says, on the contrary, that it grows readily as a weed on various dead substances, but in his works there does not seem to be an}^ evidence to this effect other than the mere statement. Since the eminent de Bary came to opposite conclusions, it would appear more convincing if the experiments leading to these results which Brefeld reached were- given in detail. One year ago I made quite an extended experiment, hoping to- be able to grow the J'/u/toj/IifJiom itifestftns in pure culture on artificial media, or upon sterilized potato and also on sterilized tomato leaves, which, in the living condition, form the best known EVOLUTION OF PARASITIC FUNGI. 101 food for the fungus. While I was able to obtain the fungus in pure culture, and kept it growing in the laboratory in this con- dition for more than eight months, it absolutely and invariably refused to grow when an attempt was made to grow it upon dead, though sterilized, potato and tomato leaves. The growth of the fungus was obtained in the well-known way by cutting open affected potatoes during the month of January, and placing them in a moist chamber with the cut surface uppermost in a warm room until the mycelium in the tubers started to new life and appeared on the surface with the characteristic conidiophores and conidia. Rectangular blocks were then cut from fresh pota- toes, rinsed in a one-tenth per cent corrosive sublimate solution, and dropped one each into a culture tube containing Avater previously sterilized by heat in sufficient quantity to permit of the washing off the corrosive sublimate from the upper end of tlie block, and to provide sufficient moisture at the bottom of the culture tube. To these blocks of potato, portions of the mycelium and conidia of the Phytophthora were transplanted, and in several of them a pure growth of the fungus was obtained, which was verified by examination with the microscope and found to agree in all re- spects with the fungus grown on the potato. When these blocks were well covered with the fuiigus, transfers were made to fresh tomato leaves sterilized by heat, as well as to potato blocks ster- ilized in the same way. But in all cases the fungus refused to grow on these heat-sterilized substances, though it continued to grow readily when transferred to fresh living blocks of potato. If the fungus cannot grow as a saprophyte, then it is quite an interesting case of wide range in parasitism, with no apparent tendency to develop fixed forms on the different hosts. Another member of this genus might be mentioned here, with which you are probably not so familiar, though it has been reported in this country, the seedling rot Phytophthora, P. cac- torum. This has been known in Europe since 1870, and occurs on quite a wide range of hosts. Because of this de Bary gave it later the name P. omyiivora, the specific name indicating, as you see, that the fungus is not very choice in the selection of its food. It Avas first described as producing a rot of species of Cactus, but it is chiefly knoAvn as the seedling Phytophthora, since it produces at times a serious rot of seedling trees, espe- cially of the beech. The forms described on somewhat widely 102 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETV. separated hosts would, seem to indicate that there was a tendency here to the development of forms which are characteristic on different hosts, though these are not sufficiently distinct mor- phologically for mycologists now to consider them different species. A vivid imagination might suggest that in times past perhaps the potato fungus was not so very different from the Fhytophthora ractoimm, or, to speak more nearly to the point, that the two were merged in one as a quite widely variable species, but that they now have become quite well separated. If this were the case it might explain the total absence, so far as we know, of the sexual stage in the Phytophthora infestans, i.e., the conidial stage might have become so different on certain of the hosts, structurally as to produce a different and characteris- tic form, and biologically as to hinder it from developing the sexual stage. We must not forget, hoAvever, that the absence of the sexual stage might be given a different interpretation, and also that it may even now occur on some hosts which we have not yet examined, or under conditions Avhich we have not yet discovered. The white rust, Cystopus Candidas, which attacks many of the species of the Cruciferse, might also be mentioned as an instance of wide range in parasitism within a single family. The well- known Puccinia graminis has a very wide range on the grasses and grains, as compared with many other species of the Ure- dineae found on the Gramineae. Other species might be men- tioned, but this number serves well to show how omnivorous some species are in their tendencies as compared Avith many others. Tendency toward a Narroav Range in Parasitism. — There is, on the other hand, a tendency Avith some species to a restricted range in parasitism, so that so far as Ave knoAV a single species is confined to but fcAV host species, or even to but one host species. This is Avell illustrated by the common Fusicladlum dendriticum and F. pirinuin. The former, the apple scab, is one of the most common of the fungus diseases of the apple tree, especially during wet seasons, affecting the leaves and fruit, and causing dark spots by the groAvth of the threads and spores on the surface. The Fusicladiuni pirlniim, the pear scab, attacks the pear tree in a similar Avay, and so nearly alike are the tAvo fungi tliat there has been some question among certain mycolo- EVOLUTION OF PAKASITIC FUNGI. 108 gists -whether the two fungi are riglitly separated into two species. Cultural experiments will probably settle this question, and there is some evidence of this kind which goes to show that the two are distinct species. This is partly supported by the discovery of what is supposed to be the perfect stages of these fungi, since the form in which Ave knew^ them on the apple and pear is what is called the " imperfect," or conidial stage. Brefeld cultivated a species of Venturia, which he called V. ditricha j^lri, and from the ascospores he succeeded in developing a conidial form which bore such a strong resemblance to the FHsldadiuTn jnrinum, that he considered the Venturia to be the perfect or ascosporous stage of the pear scab. Aderhold, in 1894, found another species of Venturia, V. chlorospora mali, on apple leaves, from Avhich he grew a conidial form very nearly like the Fushiadiuin dendviticum (the apple scab). Then he recounts also how he was able, starting from the fungus of apple scab taken from the leaves of the apple, to grow the conidial stage in artificial media and also to develop the venturia stage, which would be pretty good evidence that the venturia is the perfect stage of the apple scab. AVe should also expect to find that a venturia is the perfect stage of the pear scab, and this per- fect form Aderhold hoped to find in the Ventiivia ditricha jiirl of Brefeld. But in searching on pear leaves for this species of Venturia he found both Venturia ditricha jw'i of the pear, and also Venturia chlorosjjora mali of the apple, and this has pro- longed the investigation. But if' the apple and pear scab should be found to be one and the same species — and I do not anticipate that this will be the case — still the parasitism would be quite restricted in range as compared with the species above enu- merated. It is quite in accordance with the theories of descent that at least in the remote past a single species of Fusicladium combined the characters of the now two species, or at least possessed the inherent tendencies which have resulted in the evolution of these two forms. Many of the species of the genus Se]eroti?iiut it is a difficulty whieli has been encountered by others, and in the case of other species, and shows probably in nature also, so far as we can judge from observation, that the EVOLUTION OF PARASITIC FUNGI. Ill ascosporous form of polymorphic fungi passes more readily into the imperfect form, than the imperfect form passes into the per- fect form in many cases. Texdexcy toavakd the Ixclusiox of Eorms IX THE Life History. — As opposed to the shutting out of forms in the evolu- tion of species there is a tendency among some to the inclusion of forms. This is an accompaniment of the increasing polymor- phism of certain fungi, or in the increase of forms in a given species of fungus. By the increase in the number of forms in which a fungus can grow and multiply, it increases its power in the struggle for existence. Some of these additional forins in certain species are probably either developed as a result of the tendency of the same species to cut off an earlier form so that this new form may take its place in tiding it over unfavor- able periods for its growth, or in making more certain the perpet- uation of the fungus in the imperfect condition. The incipient stromata of many species, as well as the sclerotoid bodies, segments of the mycelium which acquire a thicker wall and a change in the condition of the contents so that the protoplasm is more resistant, gemma?, and many bodies of these and similar kinds, Avhich in many species take on more or less the form, and certainly the function, of conidia, may be enumerated as coming under this head. A very interesting case is that of the Monilia fructigena, which causes the rot of many fruits. Under certain conditions there is developed in this species an aspergillus-like form of fruiting. Tendency to a Fluctuation in Virulence. — The ten- dency to a fluctuation in virulence in certain species is a point which would repay careful investigation. This tendency is probably better known in the case of many bacteria than in the fungi. Races of bacteria can quite easily be developed under artificial conditions which are more or less permanent, according to the length of time that they are subjected to the special treat- ment or conditions. These races may show peculiarities of form, physiological peculiarities, or peculiarities in virility as parasitic germs, and partly upon the attenuation of the virility of certain species does the theory of preventive inoculation rest. The common botrytis, which has been mentioned above, is an illustration of this tendency in certain species of fungi. Under some conditions it exists in our forcing houses on the dead or 112 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. decaying parts of plants, and for a long period produces no serious harm, but again it gains such a foothold at times on cer- tain plants, that nothing short of the destruction of the host will stop its course. For several years I have been interested in watching the habits of this fungus, and many times have been constrained to look upon it as a harmless accompaniment of other disorders ; and usually, I think, this is the case. But the present winter some potted roses came under my observation showing at first a few leaves which had been damped off by the fungus. Gradually the mycelium invaded the more permanent tissues of the rose stems until all parts of the plants were so thoroughly infested with the parasite, and so badly disorganized in places, that it is doubtful whether they coiild ever recover. De Bary has shown how the mycelium of the Sderotinia libertiana, after it has been aroused to activity by growth on the dead parts, is enabled successfully to attack the living ones. This tendency is of course in many cases largely governed by environment and the physiological condition of the host, but the fungus makes use of these conditions, and for the time is enabled by them to set such a pace of parasitism, that plants are more easily invaded which would otherwise escape injury. Adaptatiox to New Conditions. — Close to this tendency to fluctuation in virulence is the tendency tOAvard adaptation to new conditions. This can be easily demonstrated in the case of some species when attempting to grow them in artificial media. For several years I have been attempting at various times to ob- tain a culture of the leaf-spot of the quince and pear. Several times the fungus has been found to germinate in nutrient agar, but in no case would it develop more than a fcAv short threads in this medium. The spores, after having been transferred to ster- ilized pear fruit in culture tubes or to sterilized bean stems, showed no signs of growth until after about three weeks, when a minute tuft of mycelium could be observed at the point where the spores had been transplanted. In the course of two or three weeks more numerous spores characteristic of this fungus were present, and the mycelium was quite well developed. In making new transplantings from these spores to fresh sterilized bean stems, a new crop of spores and well-developed stromata were present in a little more than two weeks, and on transplanting the spores from this second crop to fresh culture tubes of the same EVOLUTION OF PARASITIC FUNGI. 113 medium, the third crop of spores was developed in a little more than one week. Kow the fungus grows abundantly and quickly as a saprophyte in artificial cultures. The nitrifying organism (a bacterium) studied by Frankland presented similar peculiarities in the attempts to grow it in arti- ficial culture media, and there was also a change of form in the adaptation to new culture media. Other cases might be cited of like adaptations, and they lend some support to the statements that certain fungus parasites of one region when carried to another sometimes acquire a rapidity of development and adaptation to the new conditions on new varieties of hosts, which makes them more virulent than in tlieir native land and condition. It also suggests that certain species of fungi may pass slowly from feral plants to cultivated ones, and when they become adapted to the new conditions may, from the numbers of the host, and perhaps the lack of certain hin- drances which existed in the feral state, as well as the more artificial physique of the host, become serious pests. Fluctuatiox IX Seasonal or Polymorphic Forms. — There is also a fluctuation in seasonal forms, if they may be so called. De Bary notes that Peronospora aJsinearum, one of the downy mildews, in the neighborhood of Strasburg, in the spring develops couidia which are accompanied or immediately followed by the oospores on the same host, Avhile in the autumn only the conidia are developed. A fluctuation of this kind, or in the appearance or omission for a greater or lesser period of certain phases of many of the polymorphic species, may account for the varying notions as to what phases or stages appertain to certain species of fungi. Yet it would not do to admit, without careful investigation, the inclusion of forms which have been seen to accompany well-determined stages in the life history. Perhaps it is not yet definitely established just what forms belong to the black knot fungus of the cherry and plum. Periodicity ix Developmext. — Among other tendencies we may inquire whether there is not a tendency in some species or groups of fungi to a periodicity in the development — a period- icity I mean which would require two or more years in the com- pletion of its round. I do not mean a periodicity which requires several years for the development of the vegetative phase of the parasite before the fruiting occurs, but a periodicity similar to 114 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. what occurs in the case of the bearing of some fruit trees, where a tree Avhioh has been permitted to bear very lieavily one season will usually bear but little fruit the next year, and so a sort of alternation sets in, fruiting years being followed by years of scanty fruit. It has seemed to me at times that the fluctuation which sometimes marks the appearance one year of fungi in great numbers, and then a scanty appearance the next year, might find an explanation in a sort of periodicity. Climatic con- ditions undoubtedly play a most important part in the period- icity of many of the great fungus attacks, especially of those fungi which are dependent on a new infection of the host from year to year for their propagation. The perennial species of leaf curl and plum pocket sometimes are very abundant one season, and then the next season are comparatively rare. Tavo years ago the specimens were very plentiful, and the following year I made preparations for a harvest of the species in an early stage of development, but it was almost impossible to obtain any material. It seems strange that climatic conditions should be solely responsible for the great abundance one year and the scanty appearance the following year. Can it be that the myce- lium one year largely spends itself in the production of the fruit- ing form so that there is comparatively little mycelium left in the buds of the tree or young tissue, and that the following year the energy of the fungus is largely devoted to the replenishing or building up again of a stock of the vegetative portion, so that with the opening of the buds the next succeeding year it can advance to the fruiting condition rapidly and abundantly ? Variation in Form. — In many fungi there is a tendency to a great variation in form and habit in what is recognized as a single species. This tendency to variation in form in the case of certain species makes it exceedingly difficult in some other cases to determine just the limits of the species. Certain species of the Uredinea3, as Piurinia heterospora, and F. pruni-sjiinosa, vary either in the number of cells in the spore or in the marking of the spore. In the form genus Cercospora there is very great variation in the length of the conidia, even in a single species, so that there is some uncertainty at times as to whether this varia- tion is due only to meteorological conditions or to a specific difference in the fungus in question. Again, in the group of fungi known as the i)Owdery mildews, there is the species EVOLUTIOX OF PARASITIC FUNGI. 115 Podosjihtera oxyacanthce, quite common on certain cherries and other species of the genus Prunns, which has been considered by some to represent several different species, according to the number and position of the appendages of the peritliecium. In the genus Microspha'va there exists one of the great niycological puzzles as to just what the species MicrospJuera on the oat group, Avena safiva, A. elatior,. Milium effusum, Alojjecur'us j^^'ci't^nsis, and Dactylis gJoinerata ; and a third form, aircn on a single species of grass, Aira cmspi- tosa. Two other forms which are considered fixed have not been certainly determined. They both occur on certain species of grasses. Still another form occurs on wheat which is not con- sidered fixed. These forms were determined by cross inocidations with uredo- spores upon the different hosts, so that uredospores from any member of the rye group would not infect any member of the oat, aira, agrostis, or poa group, but would infect any member ^f the rye group. Likewise, uredospores from any member of the oat group would not infect any member of the other groups, but would infect any member of the oat group. The wheat form was found not to be fixed, since infection in a few instances took place with uredospores from both the rye and oat groupu This fact is looked upon as indicating that the form on wheat is the original one from Avhich all the others have been evolved,, and that it retains even at the present time some of its original plasticity. Another interesting result of these investigations is the fact that the puccinia spores from any of the groups can be used to produce the lecidium, or cluster cup stage, on the barberry, but the SBcidiospores from the barberry which were developed from the rye group "would not work on the oat group, while tliey would work on any niend)er of the rye group ; similarly tecidio- EVOLUTION OF PARASITIC FUNGI. 117 ■spores from the barberry which Avere developed from the oat group woukl not work on the rye group, Avhile they would work on any member of the oat group. Similar form species were found in the case of several other Uredinese which were investigated, and it would not be surpris- ing if similar specialized forms of species were to be found throughout the entire range of the more strictly obligate para- sitic fungi. Problems. — These are some of the tendencies which I be- lieve are manifested in a greater or lesser degree in the evolution of species among parasitic fungi. It must be admitted that in many instances we have indulged largely in speculation, but there is, I think, reasonable ground for speculative discussion •upon these tendencies. We might regard them as to some extent hypothetical, and thus they would serve to indicate some of the lines on which investigation might profitably be carried further on, for the solution of these questions would throw a great deal of light on the treatment which should be given or recommended for the prevention of the fungous diseases of many of our culti- vated plants. A number of the problems connected with the subject are suggested in the discussion of the various paragraphs, and the solution of these questions requires not only the investigations of the mycologist, but also of the practical fruit grower. Prophy- lactic treatment, no doubt, must be depended on in a great many cases ; but in many others by careful attention to the breeding of healthy, stocky, and resistant varieties of fruits and other plants, to this extent we shall be able to dispense with the knapsack sprayer. The number of varieties noted for productiveness and for fruiting at opportune seasons is one of the wonderful achieve- ments of the horticulturist and florist. While hardiness is also a characteristic of some of the new productions, it would seem that less attention had been given to this very important quality in planthood than to other points. One of the important prob- lems is the development and fixing of disease-resistant varieties, as well as the general well-being of plant life, and the setting of a wholesome environment to counteract the tendencies among plant enemies which the absence of these qualifications in plant culture is promoting. 118 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. One of the encouraging signs of progress in the war upon fungous enemies of plants is the enlightened action by which many horticulturists, as individuals and as organizations, are profiting from the results of scientific investigation. Not only is this so with regard to direct prophylactic treatment, but es- pecially in the general tendency toward improvement in methods of propagation, culture, handling, and environment, "which are applied to the management of the fruits that minister so largely to the comfort and happiness of life. These are the coast de- fences and the methods of diploinacy by means of which threat- ened invasion is averted, and by means of which the life of our plants and the sources of revenue are preserved. Discussion. Before the lecture commenced printed slips were distributed which contained a brief abstract of the paper. President Appleton complimented the lecturer on the interest and value of his paper, and asked whether any attempts had been made to destroy insects injurious to vegetation by means of parasitical fungi. Professor Atkinson replied in the affirmative, first saying that the families of such fungi were different from those which attacked plants, and citing the case of the attempt in the West to kill chinch-bugs by means of Sporotrichum glohuliferum. Professor A. B. Seymour asked whether the cluster-cups, pro- duced upon the barberry by the specialized forms of Piircinia graminis, differed from each other and from those produced by the type, intimating that they might be true species. Professor Atkinson answered that more investigation was needed before those matters could be determined. President Appleton inquired in regard to the possibility of cultivating the parasitical fungi which attack insects. Professor Atkinson replied that these matters are now at- tracting the attention of investigators. It is claimed that the cultivations of Sporotrichum glohuliferum which have been sent to the farmers have done great good ; but tliese questions are by no means settled. ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 119 BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, March 7, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was hoklen today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The Secretary being absent by reason of illness, the President appointed Miss Charlotte ]M. Endicott Secretary ^^/-o tern. On motion of Joseph H. Woodford it was voted that on account of its length the report of John G. Barker, as Chairman of the Committee on Gardens, be referred to the Committee on Lectures and Publication without reading. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee, were on ballot duly elected members of the Society : Robert Cameron, of Cambridge. YiRGiL C. GiLMAN, of Xashua, X.H. Thomas Harrison, of Melrose Highlands. William E. Dreer, of Philadelphia, Pa. J. W. Hoffman, Ph.D., of Tuskegee, Ala. Miss Agnes W. Lincoln, of Medford. Adjourned to Saturday, April 4. MEETING POP LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, March 14, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was hoklen today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : Ornamental Planting for Parks and Public Grounds. By William S. Egerton, Superintendent of Parks, Albany, N.Y. In response to an invitation extended by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society to read a paper on "Ornamental Planting for Parks and Public Grounds," I have prepared the following brief summary of the " Theory and practice of ornamental plant- ing, as applied to suburban parks and city gardens or greens." It 120 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. is impossible to cover so broad a field in a brief paper ; my aim has been simply to outline the scheme of work ; to suggest the lines upon which natural, pleasing effects can be secured, Avithout entering into an elaboration of detail and technicalities that would expand this paper to unwonted limits, and possibly confuse my hearers. A number of standard authorities have been drawn upon to facilitate the preparation of this paper, but the subject matter is largely the reflection of an extended experience in landscape gar- dening and the maintenance of public parks. The use in America of the word " park " as a general designa- tion for gardens, green courts, and all sorts of public places, is an exaggeration of a French application of the Avord to the more private or kept grounds of a chateau connected with a forest. Open spac^es for public use in a city may be termed " places ; " grounds in turf and trees within places, " place parks ; " and broad thoroughfares planted with trees and designed with special reference to recreation as well as for common street traffic, " parkways." A park, as defined by Mr. Frederick Law Olm- sted, " Is a place for the enjoyment of rural scenery in a sense that a garden, for instance, is not. A town park is a place 'of escape to such scenery, from scenery of a town-like or artificial character. The circumstance that distinguishes a park, there- fore, is that of seclusion. All parks, properly so called, are surrounded by screening plantations, and it is a leading motive in their design to shut out of view, to tliose to be benefited by them, whatever might be unfavorable to a continuous impression of consistent sylvan scenery." In a word, to shut off from those Avithin the park a view of such features of a town-like character, as absolutely define the limits of a park and take away the deceptive and pleasing effect of its uncertain area. The fundamental elements of any large park are not its roads, walks, bridges, buildings, and other accessory features requisite for the public accommodation in the use of the grounds. These may rather be classed as necessary evils. The essential element is the landscape, its surface undulations of hill and dale, or lawn ; its trees, shrubs, single or in mass, in grove or copse ; its deep woods or open glades, and its broad stretches of greensw^ard or water. All of these elements in their endless combinations are constantly modified by the varj'ing conditions of the point of ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 121 view, the atmosphere, and the seasons. The true ideal of park recreation, to persons worn by the harassing turmoil of city life, is the refresliing enjoyment of all that maybe seen and felt amid the placid manifestations of nature embodied in the landscape. There is nothing really different in the general theory of land- scape gardening as applied to the ornamentation of parks from that theory as applied to ordinary grounds. The apparent dif- ference lies in the special application to some particular indi- vidual undertaking. In actual practice one park must be treated differently from other parks, this difference of treatment being dictated by tlie situation, surroundings, and topography. ^STo general plan can be outlined that would suit the demands of every locality. The general idea and keynote, however, to most successful examples of park construction in this country (and there are no better examples abroad) is the simple and natural effects, or meadow- like stretches of lawn, circumscribed or bounded by ornamental plantations properly distributed and massed. The main repose and highest enjoyment of parks reside chiefly in these spots. The sense of quiet repose ministered to by a large lawn surface is not satisfied by picturesque ground, however vigorously it may be planted, and as the need for quiet repose in this workaday world is more constant than the need for vigorous stimulus, a lack of pastoral, meadow-like stretches of lawn in a large public park will always be felt by the habitual visitor to be a serious disadvantage. As a general rule each element in the scenery should be simple, natural, and unobtrusive, so that the passing observer is impressed with the manner in which views are successively opened before him, through the' innumerable combinations in which the individ- ually modest elements constantly rearrange themselves — views which often possess every quality of complete and impressive landscape compositions. The aim should be to produce the park, rather than the more elaborate pleasure-ground or garden style of scenery, not only for the reasons above indicated, but because a ground of this charac- ter can be consistently and suitably maintained at much less cost ; because, also, it will allow the necessary conveniences for the enjoyment of it by large numbers of persons to be introduced in such, a way as not to be unpleasantly conspicuous or disastrously 122 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. incongruous ; and because it favors sucli a distribution of those who visit it that few shall be seen at a time, and that the ground shall not be overcrowded. " A landscape in order to be beautiful must have all its parts stamped with a common idea, and contributing to a single sensa- tion. If it gives the lie here to what is said yonder, it destroys itself, and the spectator is in the presence of nothing but a mass of senseless objects." The north meadow in Central Park, New York, has an area of nineteen acres ; this area is greatly exaggerated to the observer by the. judicious arrangement of the planting, opening up long lines of sight, and broadening here and there into large expanses of turf. The sheen of the grass, the varied tints of the foliage, the low-lying hillocks crowned with large forest trees, the great bowlders entirely exposed or only half buried, the meadow be- yond running back to seemingly unknown distance, — all con- tribute to make the picture one of pastoral beauty. There is dignity, there is breadth, repose, restfulness, and yet a sense of isolation that is not absolute. It is genuine park scenery that the eye is tempted to linger on and the foot to walk on, and it presents, if reviewed as a single feature, one of the best examples of good park work. The same general features have characterized the work of a master-hand, in the long meadow of Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and will be secured in Franklin Park, Boston, when completed, and time has matured the groAvths and mellowed the crudities of the site. The landscape gardener must take into consideration all the impressive and natural elements of the locality, in the planting of any park of sufficient extent to have a distinctive landscape char- acter. The general aim of his work Avill be to make a harmoni- ous combination with the dominant characteristics which nature has already stamped upon the site. He will seek a fuller or richer development of the essential leading features, simply soft- ening what is hard, clothing Avhat is bare, filling out what is meagre, and enriching Avhat is beautiful, — all in harmony Avith the original type. He will thus avoid all novel conceits, all conspicuous eccen- tricities, all incongruous intrusions, and be guided by his under- standing of the laAvs of nature and his sympathy Avith them. It ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 123 is a common practice to value the decorative work in planting, on any given site, in general proportion to the degree in which it is obviously artificial, new, or peculiar. Thus clumps of trees and shrubs, or beds of flowers and foliage plants, are located in conspicuous places, Avithout fitting relation to the natural con- ditions of the landscape. What is needed, therefore, is popular education with respect to the beauty, adaptability, and arrangement of the component parts of successful design in landscape and gardening work. There are fully one thousand different species and varieties of ornamental trees and shrub's, besides great numbers of hardy flowering plants, all possessing distinct features of beauty, that will thrive in the greater part of the United States. It is an in- timate acquaintance with the habit, growth, and ultimate develop- ment of the greater part of these that insures to the landscape gardener success in selecting, planting, and grouping the varied specimens, so as to combine all the essential elements, in form, foliage, and color, of a pleasing landscape. The lack of such an acquaintance with the varied characteristics of planting material is one of the most fruitful sources of failure in planting our parks and public grounds. In employing trees and shrubs for ornamental planting, such a selection and arrangement should be made as will, for the number iised, insure the greatest possible degree of beauty and interest attainable. In a study of natural landscapes, it may be observed that trees, shrubs, and plants bear relation to each other : First, in the form of groups and thickets, or dense woods. Second, in open or somewhat scattered arrangements. Third, as single, isolated specimens. Fourth, as being wholly absent in places. The partly open feature of a landscape is most essential, if we would have beautiful parks or public grounds. This treatment affords an opportunity for viewing the grounds at varied points; for admitting cool breezes and sunshine ; for the effects of light and shadow ; and, most important of all, that degree of general repose and breadth, without which no park or public ground of any extent can be altogether satisfactory. The prevailing idea in planting would seem to suggest the bringing together such specimens of trees or shrubs as possess contrasting qualities ; 124 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. arranging these group against group, with a slight scattering of individual specimens here and there, but all done for making the distinguishing and often strongly marked characteristics of one kind relieve and offset those of others, without, however, too great contrasts in color. Often a single native tree, with ample space for complete de- velopment, will, by its form and color, accentuate and bring out the contrasting features of other neighboring growths, as single specimens of our native oaks, maples, ashes, and dogwoods em- phasize and bring into bold relief the sometimes sombre tints of our native woods, and brighten the Avhole landscape in autumn by a bold dash of glowing color. It is, however, an intelligent use of this material that betokens the skillful and successful gardener. In the matter of general style and location of groups, it is ob- vious that as a rule the masses must, in all small areas, be planted along the oiitlying portions of the turf places, keeping the centres open. Such arrangements correspond in principle Avith nature's most effective groupings. The most delightful natural landscapes show open vistas, skirted by margins of woody growth, either near or distant, which limit and support the former. A special merit of this system of planting is, that it tends to give an enlarged idea of the size of the grounds so treated. Grounds with the boundary shut off by masses of planting, and these masses arranged with irregular outlines, will look larger than they Avould if the bound- ary line were plainly in sight. The value of a park depends mainly on the disposition and quality of its woods and planting, and on the relation of these to other natural features within its limits. The older the Avood, and the less newness and rawness there is to be seen in all the elements of a park, the better it serves its purpose. All schemes of planting are based upon orderly, sea- sonable adjustment, involving careful observation of the growth and development of the varied material that composes the plan- tations from year to year, the selection and retention of the choicest and more vigorous plants, and the removal from time to time of material jilanted for temporary purposes. For this reason a permanency of employment as regards the superintendent or care-taker, if he is fully qualified to perform ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 125 the varied duties of his position, is desirable. A new broom is apt to sweep away or try to improve upon the Avork of tlie old, and may in a day almost destroy the result of careful study and years of development. The appointment of the executive head, and the skilled gardener, should not be dictated, as is too often the case, by political motives, but by skill, qualification, and entire fitness for the responsible duties of the position. A change of administration ineans usually a change in the en- tire policy of the preceding one. Thus plantations suffer for lack of attention and timely thinning, or open vistas are made where plantations have been massed to hide objectionable features. The following extract, clipped from a New York paper soon after the appointment of Mr. Samuel Parsons as Superintendent of Central Park, Avill illustrate this principle, the new broom, in this case, being an intelligent medium of reform in the maladmin- istration of the old one. The same defects have been noticeable in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, from a like cause, and are being gradually remedied. The article is entitled : "RENEWING CENTRAL PARK. Defective Management of the Trees and Shrubbery to BE Remedied. '' The necessity of a comprehensive renewal of the plantations of Central Park is insisted upon by Superintendent of Parks Samuel Parsons, who states that a loss of shapeliness, vigor, and, in many instances, of life, has deprived them of many of their ornaments and marred the original artistic effect of the designer. This has largely resulted from stress of weather, but defective management of the original system of planting has been mainly to blame. " The intention of the designers of these plantations Avas to create large masses and comparatively immediate effects, in pur- suance of which trees and shrubs were set out at short distances apart, the intention being to remove from time to time such plants as showed signs of becoming crowded. The work of thinning has not been persevered in, and all over the park trees and shrubs may be seen whose shapeliness and proper develop- ment have been prevented by overcrowding, while in some parts 126 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. tlie plantations have suffered so from this cause that their re- moval and renewal is the only remedy. Where the process of thinning can still be pursued to advantage it will be necessary in doing the work to bear in mind the original intention of the designer, so as to find out the particular mass effects of sky lines, middle distance, and foreground that were aimed at, and also to comprehend the shadings of color that were intended to be pro- duced. In order to accomplish this the missing links of color and form must be supplied in the shape of fresh trees and shrubs, and this must be done Avithout injuring too radically the existing general effects of the park. " The selection of trees and shrubs for the new plantations is another difficulty which presents itself in connection with the proposed renewal. During the park's existence of thirty years it has become apparent that many of those planted haA^e proved unsuited to its soil and exposure. Among these are the Xorway and other spruces, the pines, with the exception of the white, the mugho, the Cembra, Japanese evergreens, known as the retinos- poras, and, among deciduous trees and shrubs, the European ash, poplar, alder, elm, and oak. On this account a careful revision of the original list of trees must be made, with the aim to use in large quantities such trees and shrubs as have come into use since the plantations were made. The work involved in the renewal will have to be done gradually, so as not to seriously mar the park's general effect, and a system will have to be established of removing only comparatively small portions of groups in different parts of the park, new mold and fertilizer being applied wherever the operation is carried on. " For the new trees a draft will have to be made upon foreign and domestic nurseries, and the park nursery will have to be kept well supplied with young trees in the future, so that the work of transplanting can be readil}' accomplished at the most suitable season. An enlargement of the force employed in the park will be necessary in order to accom})lish the Avork, and the suggestion is made that one hundred gardeners be employed in addition to the force of tAventy-five or thirt}- now engaged, Avith the necessary assistant laborers, Avhich done, the AVork may be greatly adA'anced during the coming year. An estimate of the cost of the ])roposed renewal is not possible, because the exact condition of tliousands of trees and shrubs and the cost of handling each of them can ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 127 only be determmed when the work is systematically under- taken." The value of public gardens, places, or greens, in distinction from 2iarks, is dependent less on the extent of their sylvan ele- ments than on the degree of convenience with which they may be used ; those being the most valuable, other tilings being equal, through which the greatest number of people may be induced to pass while following their ordinary occupations, and witliout seri- ous hindrance or inconvenience. Therefore, if a piece of ground of one or more acres in the midst of a busy town is laid out and managed with a view to providing upon it the greatest practical degree of plant beauty in trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf, on the same general principles that a private garden for the same pur- pose would be, it will be of comparatively little use ; for the walks will be indirect, the low planting of the outer parts will obscure the general view of passers-by, and there will be frequent crowd- ing, jostling, and disturbance of quiet. Neatness and the maintenance of orderly conduct among visitors in such a ground becomes also exceedingly difficult. It is much better to plant and decorate them in such a manner as will not destroy their openness or cause inconvenience to those who have occasion to cross them. Fortius purpose their plans should be simple and generally formal in style, their passages should be broad and direct, and they should be provided with seats in recesses (preferably) or on the borders of the broader paved or gravelled spaces, leaving ample room for free movements. The green effects of the grass, accentuated by the shadow effects of trees, properly selected and grouped, should be made the chief and most important feature of their treatment. The trees should be high stemmed and umbrageous, and flowers and delicate plants little used except in vases or as fringes of architectural objects. Union square, Xew York City, is a good example of this style of treatment. Architectural adornments may properly l)e employed in small parks, so long as they do not seriously interfere with the open grass effect. There may be even busts or statues (if artistic in design), but especially suitable are drinking fountains, and foun- tain basins, with great sprays of water. The fountain basins may be effectively ornamented with lotuses, water lilies, and other dec- orative water plants. All such adornment of small city squares 128 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. or greens tends to appropriately enliven and enrich the general appearance of a crowded city, where the effect of everything is artificial, and more or less formal or tedious. In the city, the surrounding conditions are not primarily favor- able for the growth of plants. The air is apt to be hot, dry, and dust-laden, if not actually impure. Consequently the soil should be thoroughly enriched, and the most vigorous and hard}^ trees and shrubs employed. Evergreens seldom do well in large crowded cities. It is better to plant certain hardy, deciduous trees and shrubs, such as the Privet, Weigela, Snowball, Sjnrcra opuUfolia, American Thorn, Philadelphus, Honey-Locust, Ameri- can Linden, Norway and Sugar Maples, and the Oriental Plane trees, than to meet with failure by the introduction of other less hardy material. The Persian rug in flowers or foliage plants is an admirable thing properly placed, but then it is not always in harmony with the natural effects suitable to a special surface of greensward. Carpet or ribbon gardening, artistically composed, is both right and proper in its way, only it should be subordinated to, as well as coordinated with, other compositions of color throughout the entire system of planting on any special lawn. Color for almost every one is a great and positive delight. This delight may be more sensuous and less purely intellectual than that inspired by agreeable form, but it belongs more truly, nevertheless, to the restful physical pleasure associated with the lawn. If gardeners were all artists, we should have fewer examples of incongruity in both form and color. A knowledge of plants, and the possession of an adequate sup- ply, does not always insure a satisfactory grouping and massing of them. There is needed an artistic sense of form and color effects that, if not inborn, comes only with observation, reading, and an innate love of the beautiful. A successful propagator will not necessarily be a good lawn decorator. In addition to this special fitness, there must be a general plan, carefully studied as to its application to the locality and surroundings to be treated. A ground plan should be made, drawn to a scale, of the locality to be embellished, and the beds or groupings located and carefully studied as to perspective and outline. The plants slioiild be selected with reference to height, form, and color for eacli individual bed, simply considered as a part of the general ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 129 scheme for the whole plan of decorative work. In this way only can a complete and satisfactory result be secured. The flower garden treated in any other way is simply an aggregation of detached effects that have no reference to a complete design. It would be impossible for me in this paper to specify in detail just what trees, shrubs, or plants are to be used, and what gen- eral plan of arrangement should be followed, to arrive at satisfac- tory results in every case. The whole matter is a question of taste, experience, and the faculty of adapting the design to the especial locality to be treated. One might as well attempt to make a general plan for a park and apply it to every park to be improved. In the latter case the landscape architect or gardener secures primarily a detailed topographical survey showing the inequali- ties of the surface and all objects covering it. He makes a care- ful study of the surroundings, and the general topographical features to be included in tlie territory to be improved. The gen- eral scheme of his work will be largely dictated by the existing conditions and the environment. The same careful study should be made by the gardener for any plan of ornamental planting, either of trees and shrubs or of purely sub-tropical and floral decoration. To have on hand a certain number of decorative plants and to place them properly and expeditiously, with due regard to their immediate environment, requires more- than the usual ability of the average gardener. It is to be hoped that the " Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening," now the subject of special study at the St. Louis Botanical Gardens and the Bussey Institution, Avill produce a class of gardeners well fitted to harmonize the general scheme of. park ornamentation ; to emphasize, in the larger parks of sylvan character, the natural beauties of the localities to be treated, by a judicioiis admixture of the ornamental features of planting; con- fining the floral work, if any, to tlie immediate vicinity of the refectories, terraces, fountains, conservatories, and other archi- tectural embellishments, and reserving the main features of the park for woods, lawns, water effects, and natural scenery. In the smaller city parks or places such a gardener would con- struct as direct and broad lines of transit as would be consistent with easy and graceful lines ; he would secure ample laAvns and 130 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. umbrageous trees ; he would mass the shrubberies, if used, iu groups of a kind for effects of color in flower and foliage ; and, if flowers are used, he would harmonize these, by the introduction of sub-tropical or foliage effects, with the other features of the park, without too glaring a transition from the natural to the artiflcial form of embellishment. To do all this involves a care- ful study of the growth and habits of plants, the proper composi- tion of soils to produce the best results, a knowledge of form and color to properly group and blend the many combinations of leaf and flower that modern introductions have made available, so as to combine effects that will be in harmony, and ])resent a picture that A\ill heighten, and not mar, the main features of the garden. In Washington Park, Albany, N.Y., there are no obtrusive con- structions, no bizarre effects in floral design or color, no glaring tones in the foliage, but the general impression made upon the visitor is that of a restful, pleasing landscape, well kept and tastefully arranged ; and yet there is a very generous use of flowers and bedding and sub-tropical plants, supplemented by sjDCcial exhibits of foliage and bench plants in July and August, and chrysanthemums in October and November. In addition to this are shrubbery borders, enlivened with selected perennials, and these are sometimes massed for especial effect of color. Mixed borders have been made in connection with a screen of flowering shrubs as a background (one of the most effective methods of using perennials), the foreground being shaded down to the bordering Avalk by perennials, arranged somewhat as to height. Where detached masses of color are desired, this effect is secured by massing Larksj^urs, Hollyhocks, Simflowers, tall Phloxes, Lilies (caudidum and auratum), and Pyrethrums, in solid blocks, each variety in a bed or bay by itself, thus se- curing color effects long after the shrubberies have ceased to bloom. In these borders, and generally throughout the park, the plants or groups are properly named, thus affording the public an op- ])ortunity of becoming acquainted with the many varieties of plants used. The following is an extract from my report of the current year to the Board of Commissioners of Washington I'ark, Albany, N.Y. : ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 181 " The floral exhibits from early spring to the middle of No- vember, both in the open borders and during the midsummer and fall exhibits' in the Lake House, have afforded the public an oyjportunity of seeing a large range of decorative plants, with a number of recent introductions of merit. The June display of hardy roses was worthy of especial mention, covering a range of one hundred or more varieties, and embracing more than two thou- sand specimens. The exhibition of border plants, supplemented by special exhibits of specimen palms of many varieties, agaves, and tender stove plants, utilized in some localities especially adapted for their display, makes the exhibit in Washington Park somewhat exceptional in character, and particularly attractive to plant lovers." " The midsummer exhibit of caladiums and other foliage plants was largel}' attended. This exhibit gave striking proof of the fact that the love of color and form in foliage is as attrac- tive to many as flowers." I add also the following from the " Country Gentleman : " " The third annual exhibition of chrysanthemums grown in the Washington Park greenhouses was held in the Lake House, No- vember fourth to eighth, and marked a steady advance. Just how many plants were shown it would be hard to say, additions being made from time to time as new blooms developed ; but there Avere over two hundred varieties, against one hundred and forty last year and eighty the year before. There were three collections — the main one being " selections from stock of lead- ing growers ; " the smaller ones, " Washington Park seedlings " and " Japanese Seedlings.'' These two are of special interest, both as to form and color. One of the most vigorous of the Park seedlings — seed sown last January — has been trained on a fan-shaped trellis, and bore over four hundred white blooms ! In richness of color, delicacy and variety of form and tint of petal, the Japanese seedlings were preeminent. They formed a com- plete flower garden in themselves, an effect never produced before, Ave think, by any single flower except the chrysanthemum." The term " sub-tropical " is popularly given to flower gardens embellished by plants having large and handsome leaves, noble habit, or graceful outlines. It simply means the introduction of a ricli and varied vegetation, chiefly distinguished by Ijeauty of 132 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. form, to the ordinarily flat and monotonous surface of the garden.. This system has taught us the vahie of grace and verdure amid masses of low, brilliant, and unrelieved flowers, or rather, has reminded us how far we have diverged from nature's ways of displaying the beauty of vegetation. Sub-tropical gardening has taught us that one of the greatest mistakes ever made in the flower garden was the adoption of a few varieties of plants for culture on a vast scale, to the exclusion of interest and variety, and too often of beauty and taste. The ability to make a good selection of the most beautiful and useful from the great mass of plants known, is the gardener's pride, and in no branch must he exercise it more thoroughly than in this. Some of the plants used are indispensable — the differ- ent kinds of E-icinus, Cannas in great variety, Colocasias, Palms, many fine kinds of Dracaenas, Yuccas, Agaves, Cycads, Pampas grass, Arundos, Rheums, Acanthuses, Wigandias, Rims glahra laciniata, Aralia Jajwnica : — all of these, and more, are used to good advantage. Where such plants are not available, by a judicious selection from the vast number of hardy perennial plants now grown in. this country, and by associating with these flowering shrubs selected for special grace, height, and beauty of outline, a per- manent garden can be secured that will, with but little care, out- rival in beauty any attempt at formal bedding upon the old lines of carpet work, and never cease to be a "thing of beauty and a joy forever." The true motive is for a restful, quiet arrangement of border planting and grouping, for harmony in color, and not for glaring, striking effects. Much of this effect is secured b}^ the aid of foliage plants, and not with flowers. There are two localities set apart for floral exhibits in the open borders in Washington Park, where the design of the grounds is somewhat formal, and at no other points a,re flowers used. The interior of the park is treated in a simple manner, the main feature of the tree growth being the size and beauty of the elms. A large number of ornamental trees and shrubs have been introduced, but they are so distributed as not to become prominent features of the landscape, the shrubs being confined to borders for screens, or massed for color efl'ects, or treated as speci- mens, with ample space for individual growth and expression. ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FOR PARKS, ETC. 133 A portion of the lake in Washington Park has been set apart for the display of hardy and tender aquatic plants. The hardy varieties are planted permanently in beds depressed about two feet below the water surface. The tender varieties are removed in the fall and remain dormant, generally as bulbs, in the green- houses, until the water is warm enough to put them "in the lake the following summer, the bulbs being forced into active growth early in the spring. There is no feature in the park that has given such universal satisfaction as this aquatic plant display, and none that with ordinary care will more fully recompense the gardener. The lake margins are treated naturally, having no stone or artificial encircling wall. The banks are well shaded, and pro- vision is made at frequent intervals to reach the water by circuit Avalks and expansive beaches. The lake margins immediately surrounding the aquatic garden are planted with water-loving plants, and back of these is selected shrubbery, so that the transi- tion from the aquatic garden to the outlying features of the park is gradual and not discordant. The design of this paper has been, in a measure, to moderate or curb the tendency to too generous a use of flowers, arranged in geometric or formal designs, either in urban or suburban parks, and the concentration of such effects, when used, in locali- ties especially adapted and heretofore suggested for such dis- plays ; blending such exhibits with their immediate environment, by shading down the color tones, so that, to the observer, the transition may be gradual, from the natural to the artificial, or vice versa, without too sudden a change in form or color ; and, furthermore, I recommend the use of fewer flowers and more foliage plants. Scattered, detached effects are to be avoided. Treat the garden as one composition, each bed or group of plants being a necessary and integral part of the whole picture. Either mass for color effects in foliage or flower, or select for group- ing, such shrubs as are noted for individual form and expres- sion, giving ample room for development, and space to view them from all sides. Rely mainly upon the lawn, and natural effects of trees and shrub planting, for the impression to be made, and subordinate the artificial to the natural. 134 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. MEETING FOE LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, March 21, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Erancis H. Appleton, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : Grasses. By Professor F. Lamson-Scribner, B.8., Chief of Division of Agrostology, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Coming to Boston to address you on the subject of grasses, is like carrying coals to Newcastle, for is not this the liome of the widely known and justly celebrated author of Flint's " Grasses and Eorage Plants " ? But the subject is a broad one — as broad as the world is wide, and as varied as it is broad ; so broad, and embracing so many diverse lines of investigation, all alike inter- esting, that I have found it exceedingly diflficult to determine what subjects to take up, or where to draw my limitations. Good things will stand repeating, and in a multitude of counsellors there is safety. New ideas are rare indeed, but in the applicatiort of old ones may spring a happy thouglit of use to some one, and there always exists this possibility to encourage the speaker. " The grass faileth ; there is no green thing," is an apt expres- sion of the extremity of desolation. Where there is no grass, there are the absolute deserts. Where our best grasses abound, and where they receive the most attention, there we find our high- est civilization and greatest prosperity. Destroy the rich verdure of our pastures and meadows, and how much of the pleasure as well as the profit of the farmer's life would be blasted. Destroy the little grass plat of the contracted yard of the citizen, and how much would the enjoyment of domestic life be narrowed. Grasses may be considered the plebeians among the families of the vegetable kingdom. They are ubiquitous, and in all temperate regions innumerable. In their number of species they constitute one-fourth of the flowering plants of the arctic zone, one-twelfth of those of the temperate region, and from one- twelfth to one twenty-fifth of those of the tropics. In the countless myriads of individuals, particularly in the temperate zone, grasses far surpass all other orders of plants. They form the rank and file of the army of plants ; but here, as in armies of GRASSES. 135 men, it is the rank and file that does the real service. There are, however, lordly members among the grass family, for some of the tropical species vie with the tallest trees in height. The immense bamboo forests of India are forests of grasses, and to the dwellers of those regions they are as useful as are our own forests to us. They furnish material for the construction of their houses and household furniture and domestic utensils, articles of ornament, and sometimes even articles of clothing. Some of the bamboos furnish drink to the thirsty traveler ; others occasionally supply food ; and several times within historical periods have the fruits of these bamboos saved hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people from actual starvation. So generally useful are the bamboos that their products have entered into the commerce of the world. A mere enumeration of the diverse uses of grasses would more than occupy the time which has been allotted to me here; but at the risk of wearying you, I must briefly outline the more impor- tant of these. Grains, the product of the cereal grasses, form the staple food of more than four-fifths of the human race. Wheat is a grass, and the world's production of wheat is estimated at two billions four hundred millions of bushels. Rice is a grass, and the production of this cereal in the East exceeds one million tons, and feeds one-third of mankind. Indian corn, that king of grasses and peculiar product of America, is one of our greatest sources of income. Its cultivation now extends over ninety degrees of latitude and has been carried to all parts of the world. Oats, the most nutritious of all grain foods, barley, and rye are members of the grass family ; and aside from these grains, there are a number of grasses which furnish human food, particularly to the natives of Southern Asia and the wild tribes of Africa, the value of whose product cannot be estimated. In additioii to the direct usefulness of these grain-bearing grasses to man, several are used very largely to supplement the forage of our domestic animals. They have a further use also, in the production of alcoholic drinks. Nearly half of our sugar supply is derived from grasses. The world's production of cane sugar is about three million tons. What is said here of the products of the cereal-grasses indicates only in a slight degree the great use- fulness to man of a very few members of the grass family. A larger number are scarcely less useful, although indirectly. 13() MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. These are the grasses of our meadows and pastures, which furnish us our beef and mutton, our butter and milk; which feed our horses, the noblest of our domestic animals, and still among the most useful, in spite of electric railroads, horseless carriages, and bicycles. The money value of the hay crop of the United States for the year 1894 was estimated at nearly half a billion dollars, and the value of the grasses in pastures of the Northern States may be considered equal in value to the hay produced, while in the Southern States and the great grazing regions of the West, the value of the pasturage far exceeds that of the hay crop. A conservative estimate, therefore, of the annual value of the grasses of the meadows and pastures of this country alone exceeds a billion dollars. "Before dismissing this subject of the utility of grasses in furnishing food for man and the animals he has domesticated, we shall do well to pause for a little reflection upon its relation to the indvistry, commerce, and wealth of nations, as well as to man's subsistence — our dependence not only upon the cereal grasses for our staple vegetable food, but indirectly upon the forage grasses for our supplies of animal food, namely beef, mutton, venison, and dairy produce, as well as for various animal substances such as wool and hair, hides and skins, bone and horn, oil and tallow, used for textile and other manufactures (notably woolen fabrics and leather), or for domestic purposes — the large proportion of the world's inhabitants engaged in agricult- ural (chiefly cereal cultivation) and pastoral pursuits, in some countries from seventy to ninety per cent of the adult male pop- ulation — the vast internal and foreign trade connected with the distribution of agricultural products by land and sea — the numerous and important industries concerned in operating upon one or other form of this produce in order to prepare it for con- sumption ; and lastly, the enormous capital employed in all these industrial activities, and the consequent accumulation of wealth. It is only when we take a comprehensive survey, such as here indicated, that we are able to form some conception of the tran- scendent importance of the Graminese." ' There are a number of minor uses to which many species of grasses have been applied ; probably the most important is the material they furnish for paper-making. Several of our native 1 William Hutchinson in " Handbook of Grasses," 1895. GRASSES. 137 species furnisli a good fibre for this purpose, but the grass which has beeu used most largely in the manufacture of paper is the Esparto grass of the Mediterl-anean region. The quantity of this grass annually imported into England at present amounts to over two hundred thousand tons, valued at three-quarters of a million pounds sterling. 8ome grasses are used in the manufact- ure of cordage, or hats, or of matting ; others make thatch ; some are employed in medicine ; others yield perfumery. Among the natural uses of grasses may be mentioned that of binding drifting sands and the protection of our coasts and river banks from the action of the tides or floods, and their use in protecting the soils of our fields and meadows by the covering which their turf affords. They extract from the earth and the air elements which they transform into siibstances that serve as food, and in doing this they help to purify the air we breathe. Contrary to the general idea, there exists among grasses a remarkable diversity of form. So varied is this that botanists have already defined nearly four thousand distinct species. This diversity appears throughout all the organs of the grass. In some the roots are simply fibrous, and the plants grow in tufts or bunches, as Sheep's Fescue and Orchard grass ; others have what we call creeping roots, and it is among these that we should look for the best turf-forming species. Some have stems less than an inch in height and appear like mosses covering the soil and rocks ; others attain the height of our tallest forest trees. Some have leaves as fine as the finest thread ; in others the leaves are those of the ideal blade of grass, while others again have leaves like those of palms, or leaves as short and as broad and as round as those of the well-known smilax. To explain the details and the varieties existing among the flowers of grasses would be wearisome. That grasses have flowers is an idea rarely entertained by any except botanists, and I have frequently heard the remark, " I did not know that grasses had flowers." They do, however, although their special characters may differ from those of other plants ; and provision exists here, as it does throughout nearly all the tribes of vegetation which bear flowers, for securing cross-fertilization. The flowers of grasses are inconspicuous and secrete no nectar. They are not, therefore, attractive to insects, which play so important a part in the process of cross-fertilization. The pollen of grass flowers is 138 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. dry, light, and powdeiy, and .easily blown about by the wind, and cross-fertilization among grasses is effected by this agency. If the variety in the external form of grasses is Avonderfully great, their internal structure is scarcely less so, and the histo- logical studies of grass stems, leaves, and fruits are exceedingly interesting. Intricate problems in mechanics are exhibited in the structure of the slender cylinders which constitute the grass stem, and which, in many cases, possess a strength most surprising. The amount of mechanical tissue entering into the structure of the stem which holds a heavy head of wheat is insignificant, but the disposition of the various elements of this tissue gives it the strength necessary to perform its proper functions. Again, the leaves of grasses, which many think so much alike that they w^ould consider the expression " as like as two blades of grass " as forcible as the more common phrase " as like as two peas," exhibit a di- verse and marvelous interior structure. No more delicate trac- ings or beaiitiful designs of lace work can be imagined than are l^resented by these same grass leaves when viewed under the microscope. The designer might well study these tissues, for in them he would find many new figures and combinations of lines, the beauty of Avhich he could not hope to excel, and the repro- duction of which could not fail to receive the liighest admiration. In their internal structure as in tiieir outward contour, the leaves of grasses present such definite characters that these may be used to distinguish species. A minute transverse section of the leaf of Kentucky Blue grass, which one could barely see with the naked eye, would, under the microscope, present characters which at once distinguish it from all other grasses. They are totally different from those exhibited by a leaf of Orchard grass, and these again are Avholly unlike those of Meadow Fescue. There are certain cells in the leaf tissue, running from the base to the summit, which are larger and have thinner walls than the surrounding cells. These special cells readily absorb or give up moisture, and because of this property they exercise tlie meclmni- cal function exhibited in the expansion or opening out of the leaves, or their contraction and rolling together. The provisions Avhich nature has made for the distribution of grasses is an interesting subject, and one worthy of passing notice. In many cases the seeds are covered with delicate chaff- like scales, or are furnished with winged or feathery appendages, GRASSES. 139 enabling them to be widely distributed by the winds. Others are provided with hooks or barbed spines, by means of which they become attached to clothing or to tlie wool or hair of ani- mals, and are thus carried about from place to place. Others are so constructed that they will float upon the water, and may be carried long distances by rivers and streams or tides. Others again have firm protective coatings, so that they may pass unin- jured through the stomachs of birds or animals feeding upon them, and are disseminated in this way. These are among the natural means of distribution. The manner in which grasses have been distributed through the agency of civilization and commerce is no less varied. The diversity of form presented by grasses is accompanied by an almost equal diversity in their station, or place of growth. Some are limited to the Arctic regions, others are found only in the tropics ; some grow in the sand along seacoasts, others again are confined to the highest mountain-tops near the limits of per- petual snow ; some flourish only in moist meadows, others exist in the most arid deserts ; some grow in the shadows of forests, others thrive only upon open plains ; some are confined to soils heavily charged with lime, others make vigorous groAvth where practically no lime exists. And it is with all these varied pecu- liarities Avhich grasses present, that the student of these plants must become familiar, in order intelligently to direct his efforts to improve the forage and grazing resources of the country, the prime feature of interest that the farmer has in this subject. We Avill now limit our remarks to the consideration of the economic grasses of this State. It is hard to say which is the most important of these. But if one pays a visit to Cape Cod, as it was my good fortune to do last summer, he will certainly be struck with the great importance of Beach grass, and the special value Avhich it possesses for binding the drifting sands of the coast. Beach grass extends along the sandy shores of the coast just above the reach of the higher tides, from Maine to Virginia; but nowhere along our shores ^'ill one learn to ap- preciate more fully its usefulness as a sand binder than in the vicinity of Provincetown. The natural growth of Beach grass at ■ this point has done much towards checking the progress of the sand dunes towards the town and harbor, the filling in of the latter being threatened by the moving of these great bodies of 140 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. sand. The Harbor and Land Commissioners of your State have undertaken to further check the drifting of these sands by transphxnting Beach grass to the most exposed points, where presumably it will be most effective. The setting out of the Beach grass was undertaken in May last, and when I saw the plantations, in August, the operation was perfectly successful, and the best results may be confidently expected. This grass is the most valuable sand binder of ou.r coast, and it should be made use of more than it is. We do not need to import the seeds of it, as has been done, nor do we need to depend upon seeds for propagation. The simplest way, and at the same time the most certain means of propagation as well as the cheapest in the end, is that of transplanting, Avhich may be done in the spring, or in some localities doubtless in fall.' There is hardly any section along the seashore where Beach grass could not be used to advantage ; if it does not exist near by, it may be readily and cheaply obtained. For the binding of embankments, where there is a proportion of good soil. Couch or Witch grass is avail- able. If a good turf is desired, there is nothing better than Kentucky Blue grass, better known in New England as June grass. There are in Massachusetts about sixty thousand acres of salt marsh, and it may be of interest to stop a moment to consider the plants that enter into the composition of the hay which these marshes afford. These salt grasses are the natural product iThe following letter from Mr. L. W. Ross is of interest in this connection : Boston, Mass., March 30, 1896. Prof. F. Lamson-Scribner, Washingtoyi, D.C. : Dear Sir : Agreeably to your request when T met you in Boston, I will say that I visited the Province lands at Provincetown, Mass., on March 25 and 26. The plantings of Ammophila arundinacea which you saw last summer have proved a complete success. The winter has been an unusually windy and tempestuous one. Not- withstanding this, however, the plants have held the sand on the area planted securely in place and no " breaks " or " blow-outs " have appeared, to require any attention on the part of our Superintendent during the winter. This I consider somewhat remarkable, for we expected portions of it to be blown away. The whipping of the grass by the winds has broken off and blown away approximately about one-half of the bulk of grass above ground. It has always been considered by those who claim a knowledge of Beach grass planting, that the spring season is the only one in which it should be planted. Last fall we continued the grass plantings beyond the point where we left off last spring, and contrary to claims made, at the present time it shows to be in better condition and to have stood the winds of the winter much better than the grass planted last spring. Yours respectfully, Leonard W. Ross, Forester to Board of Harbor and Land Commissioners. GRASSES. 141 of the marshes, and the salt hay they furnish is a clear gift of nature, costing little beyond the labor and expense of harvesting. The cutting of the hay is determined more by convenience than by the selection of time when it Avould be most valuable for fodder, which would of course be when the principal grasses are in bloom ; and the methods employed in harvesting are in many cases, and sometimes of necessity, quite primitive. The hay is cut, raked into small bundles, and carried to the stack, which is usually supported upon a circle of piles, raising it above the tides. During the winter season this hay is hauled away for use as fodder or litter or mulch, or shipped to the larger towns for packing purposes. On the higher and dryer marshes other methods of harvesting may prevail. The characteristic grasses of the marshes are the Spartinas. There are several species of these, and several of them have a very wide distribution along our coasts, and occur also upon the coasts of Europe. One of the largest of these Spartinas, growing where there is a daily flow of tide, chiefly along the ditches and creeks, is the common thatch or creek sedge.' It is conspicuous by its size and its broad, spreading, shining leaves. It imparts a disagreeable flavor to the butter and milk from coavs fed upon it, and is rarely used for fodder, but chiefly for thatch or litter. The finer variety of the same species is more widely scattered over the marshes proper, growing to the height of from one to two feet. This has nar- rower, more erect leaves, and is of a lighter green color. Like the large form, it imparts a disagreeable flavor to the milk from cows eating it. Red-salt or Fox grass is another Spartina ; a smaller species with wiry stems and slender leaves, and is one of the best known of the grasses of the salt marsh, and one of the most valuable. It makes fairly good hay where better cannot be had, and is a particularly useful species for packing crockery and glassware. The dioecious Spike grass, less known than the others, but fairly common on the meadoAvs, also furnishes good packing material. I saw this covering considerable areas on the low marshes at Cape Cod, the male plants and the female plants occupying separate areas, and conspicuous by the yellowish hue which they gave to the vegetation. It is interesting to note that the various grasses of the salt marshes do not ordinarily grow intermingled, as do the species which compose our meadows and pastures, but each holds exclusively areas of greater or less extent. 142 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The largest and most striking of our native grasses, Fhragm'des communis, is, occasionally found upon our salt marshes, although it is not limited to these localities. It is a species widely dis- persed throughout the temperate regions of the world, growing along the margins of rivers and freshwater lakes. It has remark- ably long and deeply penetrating roots, and is especially valuable as a sand and soil binder. There is a small area of this grass growing in the sands near the water's edge on Cape Cod, Avhere it is exposed to the extreme action of the winds and storm tides. It has existed there for many years, and its power to withstand the elements and fix the sands is clearly demonstrated. While its foliage may not resist the cutting action of the blowing sands, as do the leaves of Beach grass, its power to resist the action of the waves is greater. Wherever the waves of the higher tides reach the sands occupied by Beach grass, it is soon destroyed. Upon the higher portions of the marsh, which usually escape the ordinary tides, occur several fine grasses of excellent quality. Among these are the Creeping or Red Fescue, Sea Spear grass. Creeping Bent or Brown-top, and Black grass. The Creeping Bent or Brown-top is one of the best and most tender grasses for fod- der which the marshes produce. It is onl}^ a variety of the well- known Redtop of our meadows, with* stems which are more or less creeping at the base, and with a less spreading panicle. Sea Spear grass (Olyceria maritima) is not uncommon on the marshes of the New England coast, extending southward to iSTew Jersey. It is a tender grass, liked by cattle, and when abundant makes a valuable addition to the salt hay designed for fodder. Eed Fescue (Fesfuca rubra) is a native, and occasionally appears upon the marshes, although more abundant upon the sandy soil of waste lands bordering them. It is a grass of excellent quality, and often enhances considerably the value of marsh hay. Of all the grasses of the marshes proper, there is none more highly prized for hay than Black grass {-Taurus Gerardi), which extends all along the Atlantic coast, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence south to Florida. This, as you will notice, is not a true grass, but a rush, its botanical characters being quite distinct from those of the Gramineae. Its slender erect stems are from one to two feet high, somewhat wiry, yet soft and ap])arently palatable to stock. It contains less fibre and a higher nutritive ratio, as is shown by chemical analyses, than Timothy and Iledtop. GRASSES. 143 A more familiar topic, and one of greater interest to the most of us, is the grasses of our meadows and pastures. They are the grasses which feed our cattle ; they are the grasses which brighten and beautify the landscape. They are numerous in species, and a mighty host in individual numbers. I would it were possible for me to introduce to you the various members of the grass family which have made a home upon our soils. Each one has a history ; each one lias its peculiar characteristics, distinguish- ing it from its neighbors. Each one has its field of usefulness, and many of them stand ready to become far more useful, if we will but extend to them the helping hand whicli we have held out to the few cultivated grasses, to shield them from the at- tacks of enemies and rivals, and aid them in their struggle for existence. The}^ are all beautiful in their gracefulness, and nothing adds more charm to the landscape than a field of waving grasses or a pasture of emerald turf. Did you ever stop to think of one of the prime featiires of these grasses which makes them so useful to man ? It is this : their power to exist under repeated cuttings or under the continued grazing and tramping of stock. What other plants possess this quality, even to a slight degree ? To graze or mow the turf-forming species, and walk or tramp upon them, instead of destroying them, apparently adds to their vitality, and surely improves their quality. This cer- tainly seems like a provision in nature, directed by an all-wise Providence, for the good of mankind. I must confine myself to a few species, those of greatest recog- nized importance for hay, for pasture, or for the lawn. The best wild or native hay grasses are Blue Joint, Fowl ]\readow grass, a species of Glyceria, and one of the Muhlenbergias or " drop- seeds." These are valuable in the order named, and often afford in our low-lying meadows a large bulk of native hay of excellent quality. Like other species of grasses, they respond readily to good treatment, and the specimens I have here to show you, clearly exhibit their capabilities. Timothy, Meadow Fescue, Orchard grass, Eye grass, and Redtop are the chief and best known of the cultivated or so-called " tame " grasses for the pro- duction of hay. In the markets, Timothy is the recognized stand- ard by which the value of otlier grasses is estimated. It is the farmer's gold coin, although it does not appear to me to be equal in some respects to other varieties. Its clean appearance, even 144 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. growth, fair productiveness, and easy propagation make it a favorite grass. The presence of Meadow Fescue indicates a good soil, and upon well-drained clayey lands it is one of the best grasses we can cultivate ; it is alike good for hay and pasturage. Where the soil is more moist, but deep and strong, the Large Fescue (Festuca ammdinacea) may be cultivated. It is one of the most productive of the hay grasses. Almost equally produc- tive on soils suitable to it is Orchard grass, and by many of our farmers this is regarded as equal, if not superior, to Timothy. It has a serious fault, however, of growing in bunches or tussocks. It is not a turf former, and when cultivated the seed should be sown thickly, and it is a good plan to add some other species as a filler. This objectionable habit of Orchard grass may be over- come in a measure by heavily rolling the fields in early spring. Were it not for this tussock-forming habit. Orchard grass would make one of the best of grasses for pastures, because of the early and abundant production of tender leaves. Eye grass, so popular in England, lias never come into much favor here, although it is usually recommended as an ingredient for mixtures designed for permanent pasture. On very rich soils, where the ground is fairly moist and the atmosphere humid, its productiveness is very large. It will make a fair turf if well cared for, and may be used alone for lawns, but not in mixtures. Redtop is one of the finest and best of our hay grasses, especially for low meadows, but is less productive than other sorts. The requirements of a good hay grass are productiveness, hardiness, and adaptability to the soil. It must also be nutritious, rich in flesh-forming elements, and possessing little fiber, and must be palatable to stock. I will not attempt to discuss here the question of mixtures for perma- nent or temporary meadows, further than to say that they must be based upon the conditions of the soil and climate and the wants of the farmer. Regard must also be paid to the time of or succession of blooming of the several varieties which may be sown. Our pasture grasses are more numerous than those which yield us liay, and a just consideration of them would more than occupy the time of a single lecture. The most important kinds are Meadow Foxtail, Kentucky Blue grass, English Blue grass {Poa comjjressa), certain varieties of liedtop, and species of Fescue. Meadow Foxtail is one of the earliest, quite productive, and by GRASSES. 145 many is very highly esteemed. It is recommended in all mix- tures compounded for the production of continuous herbage through the season. Kentucky Blue grass is a good turf former and a good pasture grass where the land is rich, but does best upon strongly calcareous soils. It is the grass which has made the pastures of portions of Kentucky and Tennessee so justly famous. English Blue grass is, I think, a better pasture grass for New England than Kentucky Blue grass. It will grow on a greater variety of soils. It will grow on soils so thin and poor that little else will grow. On good land its productiveness is scarcely inferior to that of Kentucky Blue grass, and it is equally tender and nutritious. It makes a very firm sod, and withstands the tramping of stock better than many other kinds. The culti- vation of this grass in certain portions of Virginia has changed poverty-stricken districts to areas of wealth and prosperity. This has been effected by the cultivation of this English Blue grass and the raising of dairy stock. From my knowledge of New England pastures, I can think of no grass that I would more highly recommend. Lowland pastures should always con- tain Bedtop in some of its varieties. It makes the cleanest, nicest-looking, and sweetest turf of any grass I know. The fine- leafed varieties should be selected for cultivation in pastures. Of the Eescues, ]\readow Fescue is a valuable pasture grass, as already intimated, where the soil is good ; and on sandy soils Red Fescue is an excellent variety. On the dry uplands Sheep's Fescue is perhaps one of the best species we can cultivate, associ- ating with it English Blue grass. There is nothing more pleasing to the eye or more beautiful than a well-kept lawn. There is nothing that speaks more strongly for the owner of a house than the lawn which fronts it. The lawn upon the outside should be like the carpets within, and be kept clean with equal care. It is capable of giving pleasure to vastly more people than can enter the door and see the beauti- ful Wiltons and moquettes, for every passer-by may enjoy it. A good lawn is one of the simplest things to produce, yet one of the most difficult ; at least one may reasonably judge it to be difficult by the vast array of wretched failures that appear in almost every neighborhood. What the lawn needs is good turf, and the climate here is excellently adapted to the production of just such turf as is most desired. There are a great variety of 146 MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. grasses which Avill produce turf of pleasiug appearance under careful management, but this turf varies in fineness and quality, according to the species used to make it. We do not need any lawn mixtures to make a lawn. The worst initiative in the making of a lawn is the sowing of a mixed lot of seeds. The best turf I have ever seen was composed of single varieties in pure cultures, and their beauty fully warrants the extra care and expense necessary for their production. I am happy to be able to show you pictures taken in the most famous grass garden — or turf garden as the manager calls it — in this country. You have all heard of it, and some of you have doubtless met the genius who has developed it. This garden is tended with scrupu- lous care and given daily attention. Not a weed, not a blade of grass foreign to the variety cultivated, is allowed to appear in any of the plots, or if appearing it is at once removed. It is at all times beautiful, but under the slanting rays of an afternoon sun, the beauties of this garden are most clearly brought out. At a short distance it looks more like unrolled webs of carpet or bands of delicately and variously tinted ribbon, than anything else one can suggest ; and here we are able to see the turf-form- ing qualities (under the treatment given them) of many grasses and of many varieties of a single botanical species. To study the texture of these is most interesting, and the illustrations which T have to show you will in a very faint degree bring out the differences of texture they exhibit. The finest and best varieties of turf, and consequently for lawns, are those of Festuca and Agrostis, Some of the forms of Agrostis are exceed- ingly fine, yielding what we may very properly term a "nap," almost as fine and soft as that of velvet. Some varieties of Eestuca are no less beautiful and hardly less fine. How these grasses Avould thrive under the shade of trees I cannot certainly say, but I recall a remark made by Mr. Olcott when asked which would do best in tlie shade. It was : '' Those that do best in the sun." While some may question the exact truthfulness of this remark, there may be more in it than we may at first sujipose. But there are good turf grasses which will grow in the shade of trees, where the shade is not too dense and they are given a reasonable amount of care. These are Meadow Foxtail and the Various-leafed Fescue (^Festnca hi'ferojtln/lla). Crested Dogstail is spoken highly of by some ; also Kough-stalked Meadow grass GRASSES. 147 (Po« ti'icialis) and Wood Meadow grass (Poa nemoralis). If I were experimenting, I should use by preference the Various- leafed Fescue or "Wood Meadow grass. Where the lawn is small, it looks best unbroken, but in those of considerable extent, trees and shrubbery may be added to adorn it, and with these ornamental grasses may be planted. There have been introduced into cultivation many grasses of special beauty and attractiveness which may be used with good eifect singly or in groups upon the lawn. One of the finest of these and the most shoAvy when in bloom, is the beautiful Pampas grass. ]SJ"othing surpasses the elegance of its light and silvery-tinted plumes. Where they will grow, some of the bamboos are used with good effect to deco- rate the lawns ; and the large Arundo with its beautiful white- striped leaves, and the more common Eulalia, and forms of our own Phalaris, belong to the group of ornamentals. Tlien there are finer and more delicate species sometimes used for borders, and of these we may mention such as species of Love grass and the elegant little Brizas. As in all families of any size or pretension we always find among the good members composing it a few black sheep, so it is with the grasses. As good as they are, as useful as they are, as beautiful as they are, there are some which by their conduct, b}- their selfishness, by their intrusiveness, have become obnoxious, and we call them weeds. The worst of these which the Xew England farmer has to contend with is Coucli grass. Tliere are others, but we will not mention names in so goodly a company. It sometimes happens that men who are very correct in all they do under the restraint of home influences and are counted among the elect, when removed from these influences, will stray from the path of rectitude. So it is with grasses. Our much-loved Ken- tucky Blue grass, which every one esteems as a good and useful grass citizen, has received a bad name away from home. In Xew Zealand and Australia its habits are such that it has come to be looked upon as a vile weed — a lawless outcast, despised by everybody. Your President suggested that I tell you something of what we are doing in the Division of Agrostology. Well, the Division is devoted to the investigation of grasses, and, in addition, to the investigation of forage plants other than grasses. From what I have said already, it is evident that the work is broad, and 14S MASSACHUSETTS HOKTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. involves many special lines of study. The work is intensely in- teresting, and it is our purpose to make it useful to you all. Our main force at this time is directed to the preparation of a work in which shall be illustrated and described all the North American species of grasses, of which there are more than seven hundred. I am able to show you the character of the illustrations. They are all original, carefully drawn, and executed on wood. The de- scriptions will be drawn from the specimens, and it is no simple matter to classify these specimens into their proper species, as the botanists among you will understand. During the summer season we have agents in the field collecting the grasses of the country, grass seeds of the more promising native species, and live roots of grasses. These seeds and roots are being propa- gated in the gardens established by the Department ; and at the same time the material thus gathered is distributed to other investigators with a view of widening our knowledge by cultural experiments at other points, or is used in making exchanges. We have a large correspondence that has to be attended to, and ques- tions are asked us relative to the qualities of various grasses and the kinds to be sown in given localities. We try to answer all these questions, but occasionally one is asked which exceeds our ability to answer ; for example, this, which was actually asked us : " What was the first principal grass that began to grow on what we know as the prairies of Illinois after the drift period or ice age, and the date, if known ? " Such questions we are forced to refer to a higher authority. Then there are collections of grasses constantly being received from various sources, to be named; tliis Avork takes time, for often the collections come from regions where the species are little known and their identification involves much study. The care of our grass gardens consumes considerable time, and also the handling of the seeds and the duplicate collections. Our main work, to which our energies at present are chiefly directed, is, as just stated, the prepara- tion of what may be termed the " Handbook of ]S"orth American Grasses." The subject selected for me was "Grasses." It is surely an interesting one, and I shall indeed have failed in my purpose if I have not succeeded in securing your interest in it. I have found it impossible to do more than to indicate the importance of grasses, or hardly more tlian to name a few of their uses or GRASSES. 149 suggest a few topics for research, almost any one of which would afford an hour's entertainment or profitable discussion. The in- vestigation of grasses has engaged the attention of the ablest men of science, and the study of their development, their classifica- tion, their inter-relationships, and their relation to other plants and to man opens a field to philosophy. They constitute the wealth of nations ; they feed the world ; they minister to the higher esthetic tastes of mankind by their graceful and varied beauty ; they heal the sick, and make glad the well. Discussioisr. The lecture was illustrated by means of the stereopticon ; views were given of the gardens of the Division of Agrostology in Washington, where the experiments in propagation and cul- tivation of grasses are carried on ; also views of the numerous species of grasses of which the lecturer spoke, some of which showed the type of the illustrations to be expected in ''The Handbook of North American Grasses," now in preparation. Bundles of numerous species of grasses were laid out on the tables for examination, each bundle being carefully prepared and labeled with both botanical and common names. Mrs. Wright said that reference had been made to the Buffalo grass of the plains, and asked whether this grass can be removed to other localities, and if so, whether its nutritious qualities will be the same. Professor Scribner replied that Buffalo grass was cultivated successfully in the grass garden at Washington, but he could not say whether it became less nutritious. In reply to another question Professor Scribner said that the best English lawns are composed of single varieties of grasses. When asked if Alfalfa was included among the grasses, he said that Alfalfa does not belong to the family of true grasses, but to the clover family ; it is one of the most important forage plants of tlie country. On being asked whether a lawn could be made of white clover Professor Scribner answered that such a lawn would be unique ; he would prefer grasses, but white clover is often used with grass, and in this way will make a very pretty lawn. The color of its leaves is the same as that of some species of grasses. There is an astonishing variety of color in grass leaves ; different tints 150 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. occur even in the same species. By planting grasses of various colors a mosaic might be made, if desired. An unknown gentleman asked whether the line can be drawn betAveen grass and other plants used for human food. The answer Avas that botanically the line can be drawn. Grass is popularly used in a very Avide sense, often including clover. Another questioner asked the origin of Couch grass. Pro- fessor Scribner replied that it is a native of this country and is also knoAvn in Europe. It is commonly thought of as a AA-eed, but it gives good crops for a year or two, Avhen it chokes itself out. It may be improved by harrowing the sod formed, as is done in the West. Professor Scribner stated that " The Handbook of North American Grasses " will be published in the fall of this year. Benjamin P. Ware asked what is the best grass for sod. The reply was that Agrostis alba var. stolonifera or Creeping Bent has been shown by Mr. Olcott to be the best for lawns. Mr. Ware then questioned about June grass or Kentucky Blue grass as compared Avith it. Professor Scribner replied that the Pescues make a firm, close sod. Kentucky Blue grass is very fine, but not as fine as the Creeping Bent or Rhode Island Bent. Being asked if Sweet-scented Vernal grass is good in the laAvn,. Professor Scribner answered that it is a Aveed in any laAvn. MEETING FOE LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, March 28, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appletox, in the chair. The folloAving paper Avas read by the author : * Manuring Orchards. By Professor Edtvaed B. Voorhees, Director of the New Jersey State Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N.J. My main purpose in this discussion of the (question of manures for orchards is to shoAV the necessity of studies and investi- gations concerning the food requirements of the various fruits, rather than to point out methods of practice that shall be MANURING ORCHARDS. 151 economical and systematic. AVe have suggestions from numer- ous sources in regard to the particuhir needs of particular kinds of fruit for plant food, but we have in the reports of our experiment stations and agricultural societies very few results bearing upon this subject which have been derived from actual experiment. It is quite natural, perhaps, that this should be the case, because fruit growing as a business, or on a commercial scale, is comparatively new, and because the character of the investigations necessary to be carried out in order to obtain reliable data must be continued. The develop- ment of fruit growing as a specific crop has, too, been gradual, and has found its first considerable increase in sections of the country within easy reach of good markets, and upon soils par- ticularly adapted for the purpose, which, perhaps, furnishes an- other reason for a lack of scientific investigation along this line. Fruit Crops and Grain Crops differ in Respect to THEIR Needs for Plant Food. — It is obvious, too, that such specific results as have been obtained concerning the needs of general farm crops, as grain and grass, for specific plant food elements cannot be applied Avith any degree of accuracy to fruit crops, particularly the larger fruits, as pears, apples, peaches, grapes, and plums, because these differ from the cereals, grasses, and vegetables, first, in their habits of growth, second, in the character of the produce, and third, in their relation to soil exhaustion. In the first place, farm crops, as a rule, require but one year for the entire processes of vegetation and maturation. For fruit crops, with Init few exceptions, the purely vegetative processes continue for at least three years, and with many kinds much longer, while after the fruit-bearing period begins the vegetative processes do not cease, Imt are coincident with the growth and ripening of the fruit. In the second place, the product of the harvest, namely, the fruit, differs very materially in its character from that of ordinary farm crops which mature their fruit and die in one season, because a whole season is required for its growth and development ; that is, it is necessary- that there shall be a constant transfer of the nutritive juices from the tree to the fruit tliroughout the entire growing season, while the growth for each succeeding year of both tree and fruit is dependent upon the nutrition acquired and stored up in buds and branches, as 152 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. well as upon that which may be derived directly from the soil. In the third place, the relation of fruit growing to soil exhaustion is very different from that in general croj) farming, because in orchards there is an annual demand for specific kinds and pro- portions of soil constituents ; it is really a continuous cropping of the same kind ; there is no opportunity, as in the case of ordinary farm crops, to correct the tendency to exhaustion by a frequent change of crops, or the frequent growth of those which require different kinds and amounts of plant food constituents. Nitrogen, Phosphoric Acid, and Potash are the Ele- ments NEEDED IN MANURES FOR ORCHARDS. lu Studying methods of manuring orchards, however, it must be admitted that the general principles of manuring which apply to fruits, appl}^ quite as well to farm crops ; that is, the essential con- stituents of manures must be the same. A fruit tree will not make normal growth in a soil destitute of nitrogen. That nitro- gen encourages leaf growth is a recognized fact, and, since trees grow by means of both leaf and root, its presence is required in the soil in order to promote the growth and extend the life of the tree. It is very evident, too, that potash is an essential con- stituent in the growth of fruits, not only because it constitutes a large proportion of the ash of the wood of the apple, pear, cherry, and plum, and more than fifty per cent of the ash of fruit, but because it forms the base of the well-known fruit acids ; and in order to nourish a tree properly, as well as to insure proper ripening, phosphoric acid is also very essential, though it is apparent from such investigations as have been made that this constituent is relatively of less importance than for the cereals. It is also a matter of common observation that, in the produc- tion of stone fruits particularly, lime is an important constituent. Its function seems to be to strengtlien the stems and woody por- tion of the tree, to shorten the period of growth, and to hasten the time of ripening. Fruit trees growing on soils rich in lime show a stocky, stead}^, vigorous growth, and the fruit ripens well, while those on soils which contain but little lime, particu- larly the clays, appear to have an extended period of growth, the result of which is, that the wood does not mature and the fruit does not ripen properly. The Need of Manures for Orchards. — It is argued by MANURING ORCHARDS. 153 many, and sometimes by those who should know better, that fruit growing is quite simihir to growing trees ; that the question of soil exhaustion is not a matter of very great importance, provided the soil is well cultivated, and that all soils contain sufficient quan- tities of the food elements to insure the relatively small available supply required from year to year. It is admitted that on soils of good mechanical condition, well drained and cultivated, wiiich are naturally adapted for fruit as well as other crops, because well supplied with the essential con- stituents, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potash, and lime, the exhaus- tion arising from the continuous removal of crops will not become apparent for a long time, but it should be emphasized that it is only upon soils which possess these characteristics that the growth of fruit, even poor fruit, can be continued for any considerable period without the application of manures. While we have abundant evidence of the need of manures for orchards, derived from our knowledge of the fact that even virgin soils possess, as a rule, a low rather than a high natural strength, and are, therefore, incapable of furnishing for a long time a sufficient amount of one or more constituents, I desire to present further evidence, derived, first, from experiments conducted to determine the relative needs of plant food by certain fruit crops, and second, from such results of actual practice as I have been able to collate. The only completed experiment in this line is reported by the New Jersey Experiment Station on peaches.' This experiment was begun in 1884, and the results fully reported in 1894, though I shall only use the results secured up to 1894. The object of this field experiment was to study the compara- tive effect of an annual supply of what was deemed a sufficient quantity of the best forms of the three plant food elements, nitro- gen, phosphoric acid, and potash, when used singly and in various combinations ; and of large applications of barnyard manure. The experiment included thirteen plots, each one-tenth of an acre in area, and containing thirteen trees. Each of the fertilized plots received an annual application of 150 pounds of nitrate of soda, 350 pounds of bone-black superphosphate, or 150 pounds of muriate of potash per acre, thus furnishing an equivalent of 24 I Annual Reports New Jersey Experiment Station, 1884-1894. 154 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. pounds of actual nitrogen, or 56 pounds of "available" phos- phoric acid, or 75 pounds of actual potash on the three plots which received single elements, and combinations of these amounts of two of the elements on three other plots, and a combina- tion of all, or a complete fertilizer, on one plot. In addition, two plots were not manured ; one received land plaster at the rate of 100 pounds per acre ; one barnyard manure, at the rate of 20 tons per acre, and one barnyard manure, at the rate of 10 tons, and lime at the rate of 50 bushels per acre. Accurate records were kept each year of the health and vigor of tlie trees, and of the yield of the various plots. The soil — a clay loam with clay subsoil — was of medium natural fertility, responding readily to manures ; its mechanical condition good, and fairly representative of the soil in the peach-growing sections in New Jersey. At this point I will give detailed results and comparisons only in case of the plots without manure, with a complete manure, and with barnyard manure. The average age of an orchard in our State is about eight years, during which period three full crops are usually secured. I therefore give the average yield in baskets for the average period of the life of the orchard for the whole period of the experiment and for the crop years. I. — The Yield without Manure. Baskets per acre. 1884-1891, inclusive, 8 years, average per year .... 65.7 1884-1893 " 10 " " " .... 60.3 1887-1891 " (5 crop years) '^ " ... .105.0 1887-1893 " (7 crop years) " " .... 86.2 II. — The Yield with Complete Chemical Manure. Baskets per acre. 1884-1891, inclusive, 8 years, average per year .... 164.2 1884-1893 " 10 " " " .... 183.4 1887-1891 " (5 crop years) " " ... .262.8 1887-1893 " (7 crop years) " " • . . .262.0 MANURING ORCHARDS. 155 III. — The Yield with Barnyard Manure. Baskets per acre. 1884-1891, inclusive, 8 years, average per year .... 169.5 1884-1893 " 10 " " " .... 194.7 1887-1891 " (5 crop years) " " .... 271.3 1887-1893 '• (7 crop years) " " .... 276.8 IV. — The Eelative Yield in an Unfavorable Season. B.Tskets per acre. 1889 unmanured 10.9 1889 fertilized 152.5 1889 manured 162.5 The first point of importance and value observed is in reference to the number of crops that were secured. On the unmanured land, the crops secured after eight yeai's were so small as to materialh reduce the average for the whole period, while for the manured land the average for the whole period was not only not reduced, but very materially increased ; that is, the crops secured on these after the trees on the unmanured land had practically ceased to bear were greater proportionately than those secured previous to that time. This was true both for the fertilized and manured land. In the next place it is shown that the yield was very materially increased by the use of manures, either in the form of artificial or natural supplies, and the differences in yield derived from these two forms are very slight, indicating that very much smaller amounts of actual plant food in quick acting forms were quite as useful as larger amounts of the less available forms in which the food exists in natural manure products. For the ten years, the fertilized plot received 250 pounds of nitrogen, 560 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 750 pounds of pot- ash, while the yard manure plot received — assuming the average composition of yard manure — 2,000 pounds of nitrogen, 2,000 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 1,600 pounds of potash; yet with eight times as much nitrogen, nearl}^ four times as much phos- phoric acid, and more than twice as much potash, the yield was but 113 baskets greater, or 11 baskets per year. There was no material difference in the size of the trees on the two plots ; 156 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. in both cases they were large and for the most part healthy, even when the experiment was concluded, which was not caused by the normal dying of the trees, but by the fact that the larger number of them were partially or wholly destroyed b}' a severe windstorm. In the third place it is interesting to observe — and it is a point of great importance — the effect of an abundance of food in over- coming unfavorable weather or seasonal conditions. The year 1889 was extremely unfavorable, and the crop throughout the State was small. In this experiment the unmanured plot yielded at the rate of 10.9 baskets per acre, while the manured and fertilized plots both showed a yield exceeding 150 baskets per acre. The manure strengthened and stimulated the trees and enabled them success- fully to resist such conditions as were fatal to the crop on the unmanured land. This point is one that is seldom considered in calculating the advantages to be derived from proper manuring, though it is of extreme value, since the expenses of cultivation, trimming, and interest on investment are quite as great in one case as in the other. Another experiment bearing upon this point, recentlv reported by the Cornell Experiment Station,' is also very instructive as indicating the need of manures for fruit trees, not only in refer- ence to the amount removed, but also in reference to the propor- tions of the essential constituents required. This study shows that the plant food contained in 20 crops of apples, of 15 bushels per tree and 35 trees per acre, and in the leaves for the same period, amounts in round numbers to 1,337 pounds of nitrogen, 310 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 1,895 pounds of potash. These amounts of plant food are compared with the amounts that would be removed by 20 years continuous cropping with wheat, assuming an average yield of 15 bushels of wheat per acre, and 7 pounds of straw to 3 bushels of grain, viz. : 660 pounds of nitrogen, 211 pounds of phosphoric acid, and 324 pounds of potash. By this comparison it is shown that the 20 crops of apples remove more than twice as much nitrogen, half as much again of phosphoric acid, and nearly three times as much potash as the 20 crops of wheat. I Bulletin No. 103, " Soil Depletion in respect to the Care of Fruit Trees." MANURING ORCHARDS. 157 These results, although only applying strictly to the apple, are valuable in indicating the rate of soil exhaustion by fruit grow- ing. It is to be remembered, however, that the larger root development of the tree would enable it to draw its nourishment from a larger area of soil than is the case with wheat, and thus probably permit of normal growth for a longer period. The Experience of Practical Orchardists. — The experience of practical fruit growers, particularly if they are successful, is also of value in this connection. During the past year statistics were gathered in New Jersey concerning the methods of practice in fruit growing, and among the questions asked was, " The ivind of manure used and the amounts applied per acre." The results obtained are instructive in showing, first, that orchardists do recognize the necessity of a liberal feeding of their fruit crops ; and, second, that the rate of profit, other things being equal, is largely dependent upon such a practice, though the methods in use are widely different, and, in many cases, unsystematic and irrational. I have selected those gathered in Burlington County, on pears and apples as illustrations, because they furnish good examples of pro- gressive practice, and because those from other counties have not been finally tabulated. Of 1G9 growers of pears, representing an area of over a thousand acres, 162 use manures of some kind ; 54 only barnyard manure, the application ranging from 5 to 15 tons per acre annually ; 41 use commercial manures, exclusively, the larger part of which consists of ground bone and muriate of potash, the annual application averaging 600 pounds per acre ; 33 use barnyard manure and fertilizers together, an average applica- tion of 11 tons of the former and 600 pounds of the latter per acre ; 34 use miscellaneous home products, including lime, wood ashes, coal ashes, river mud, muck, etc. ; and 7 only of the entire number do not manure at all. Of this whole number, 90 per cent report that fruit is the most profitable crop that they raise, the gross returns ranging from $50 to $600 per acre, with an average of $150. Of 194 growers of apples, 183 use manure ; 82 barnyard manure exclusively, at the rate of nine tons per acre; 30 both barnyard manure and fertilizer, at the rate of nine and one-half tons of the former and 500 pounds of the latter ; 29 use fertilizer alone, chiefl}' bone and potash, at the rate of 700 pounds per acre ; 8 use 158 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. barnyard manure and lime ; and 34 use miscellaneous products. Their average gross returns are about $100 per acre, and prac- tically every grower reports that the crop is a profitable one. We have liere a practical unanimity of opinion as to the necessity of using manures, though a wide difference in practice in reference to the kind of material used, which is in many cases due to the relative cost of the various materials, rather than to definite opinions concerning their relative value. The Kind of Manure to use. — The kind of manure to use ma\' be discussed, first, as to whether it shall be natural or artificial, and, second, if artificial, the kind of materials and the proportions of the constituents most desirable. In reference to the relative usefulness of yard manure and the best forms of chemical fertilizer the data derived from the experiment on peach trees are instruc- tive, and I simply add to that already given a financial statement showing the relative values of the crops secured, less actual cost of manures, and which does not include the cost of application. V. — New Value of Crops from Fertilizer and from Natural Manures. Per year. Unmanured, 10 years, value of crop, $301.85 .... $30 18 Fertilized, 10 years, value of crop, less cost of fertilizer, $810.20 81 02 Manured, 10 years, value of crop, less cost of mauure, $673.70 67 37 Annual net increase from fertilizer 51 02 Annual net increase from manure 37 19 As has been already suggested, the amount of yard manure applied may have been much larger than was necessary, though it is very clearly siiown that the use of chemical fertilizer, under the conditions obtaining in the experiment, was relatively more profit- able than the manure ; hence, while it is hardly safe to conclude that chemical fertilizers may in all cases be more profitable ttian the manure, it was shown in previous tabulations that chemical fertilizers did practically meet the demands for plant food ; that is, the yield was but little greater from the use of barnyard manure. In reference both to the kind of materials and to the proportions MANURING ORCHARDS. 159 of the constituents most desirable, we liuve to depend rather upon the opinion of experts than upon well ascertained data, though the Cornell experiment, already quoted, is interesting in that it throws considerable light upon the question of proportion of the various constituents. In tliis connection I shall quote the opinions of leading horticulturists. In "Farmers' Bulletin," No. 33, of the Department of Agri- culture, on Peach Growing, Erwin F. Smith, the author, under the caption '■'■Fertilizers," sa^'s : '' Some words are necessary on the use and misuse of fertilizers. Unless the trees are on strong land it will be necessary as soon as they come in bearing, and yearly thereafter, to give them each spring or autumn some special fertilizer. There can be no objection to the use of well com- posted barnyard manure. Where this is not procurable depend- ence must be put on clover and commercial fertilizers, taking care always that the latter are obtained from reliable sources. In general the dependence should be on potash salts and phos- phates rather than on nitrogenous fertilizers. The peach can be injured readily by excess of nitrogen. Its effect upon the trees is to produce excessive growth of wood and foliage at the expense of the fruit. Fifty to a hundred pounds per acre of nitrate of soda or its equivalent in dried blood or sulphate of ammonia is usually as much nitrogenous fertilizer as any orchard requires, and manjr orchards do not need it at all. Muriate of potash, kainit, or sulphate of potash may be used in large quantities with- out injur}'. Four to five hundred pounds per acre will do no harm, provided it is not put too close to the trunks of the trees." This opinion is based U[)on the results of studies to determine the relation of fertility to peach yellows, which were not continued for a long period. In Bulletin No. 72 of the Cornell Experiment Station, Professor L. H. Bailey says : " Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are the elements which need to be applied to orchard lands. " Nitrogen is particularly etlicacious in promoting growth. In fact the amount of growth and the color of foliage are reliable guides for the application of nitrogen. Orchards are grown for fruit, not for forestry purposes. In general, it is better to supply nitrogen by good cultivation — which assists nitrification — and 160 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. an occasional green manure crop, than by the application of nitrogenous fertilizers. If the orchard is not growing and is yellowish in foliage, good cultivation — begun early and repeated very frequently — in counection with the use of potash, phos- phoric acid, and green manures, will commonly correct it. " Potash is generally the most important element to be applied directly to orchards, particularly after the trees have reached bearing age. The store of available potash in the soil is much increased by the thorough tillage which has already been recom- mended, but in bearing orchards it should also be supplied every year in some commercial form. "In general, phosphoric acid is rather less important iu fruit plantations than potash, although this order is reversed in general farming. Potash should undoubtedly be the leading factor in orchard fertilizers, and nitrogen, as I have said, may be obtained mostly by means of tillage and green crops." Again, in Bulletin No. 74, Professor Bailey says : " I believe that the keynote to the proper fertilizing of peach orchards is potash and phosphoric acid, and not nitrogen. Ashes, muriate of potash, bone fertilizers — these are some of the money makers for peach trees. Tillage, with green manure crops at the end of the season, can be relied upon to furnish nitrogen in most instances. I do not wish to disparage the use of nitrogen, for even in bearing orchards a direct application may sometimes be necessary ; but I desire to state what I believe to be a funda- mental consideration in orchard culture, that nitrogen can easih' be used to excess and that it can generally be obtained by means of tillage and green manure, and also that potash and phosphoric acid need to be annually applied to orchards of bearing age." The points contained in the above statement are again empha- sized by Professor Bailey in Bulletin No. 102. Tiiese opinions of Professor Bailey are based largely upon theoretical considera- tions, verified by his wide observation. Professor L. P. Taft, in Bulletin No. 103 of the Michigan Experiment Station, says : " Of the three elements that are often deficient in the soil, potash, phosphorus, and nitrogen, it can be said that a rich virgin soil will generally contain all that is needed for an orchard, but after the trees have matured several crops of fruit, the available potash and phosphorus is likely to become so reduced that a satis- MANURING ORCHARDS. 161 factory growth cannot be obtained, and if the soil is in any waj' deficient in organic matter, the amount of nitrogen will probably be rather small. As a rule, a bearing orchard should have, once in two years, from 300 to 500 pounds of ground bone, 200 to 300 pounds of muriate of potash, and 150 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre ; or in place of these 25 tons of decomposed stable manure will be beneficial if the soil is light. In addition to their value for supplying plant food, the chemical fertilizers have an additional value, which is, perhaps, equally important, as, by supplying soluble plant food early in the season, they enable trees to make their growth during the first of the season and ripen their wood thoroughly before winter. The growth is, as a rule, much more firm than that obtained by the use of stable manure, or from the natural fertility of the soil. In fact the chemical manures can be used as correctives, since if those containing potash and phos- phoric acid are added to soils that have been highly enriched with stable manure, or that are naturally quite rich in organic matter, they will have a tendenc}' to make the new wood more firm and compact. It can then be claimed that the proper use of chemical manures will increase the hardiness of the trees, and will both render the fruit buds less susceptible to sudden changes in the weather, and lessen the danger of their winter-killing." These statements, while general rather than specific in charac- ter, agree in their main points : First, that orchards should be liberally- fertilized ; second, in giving prefei'ence to artificial manures ; and third, in urging that great care be exercised in the use of nitrogen. Those in reference both to the unfavorable effect of too much nitrogen, and to the importance of superphos- phate and potash salts, are in a measure verified by the New Jersey experiment already quoted, — that is, nitrogen used alone and, therefore, in excess, was not particularly useful, while the combination of phosphoric acid and potash was more serviceable than any other combination of two elements. The nitrogen was, however, of very great value when used in connection with the mineral elements, as the accompanying statement will show. VI. — Money Value of Crops, Less Cost of Manure. Per year. Unmanured, 10 years, value of crop, $301.85 .... $30 18 Nitrogen alone, 10 years, value of crop, $307.30 ... 30 73 162 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Per year. Phosphoric acid aud potash, 10 3'ears, value of crop, $725.65 $72 57 Nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, 10 years, value of crop, $810.20 81 02 Annual profit from nitrogen alone ........ 55 Annual profit from phosphoric acid and potash ... 42 39 Annual profit from nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash 50 84 Annual gain from addition of nitrogen to mineral ele- ments 8 45 Annual gain from application of nitrogen alone ... 55 In this experiment the nitrogen was in the form of nitrate of soda, and because of the ready availability of nitrates was doubt- less all absorbed early in the season, and thus did not encourage late growth of leaf and branch. In this experiment, too, a continuous application of excessive amounts of organic nitrogen, while probably not of the greatest advantage, did not prove detrimental; the wood ripened well and the fruit, while maturing a little later in some cases, was quite as good as that from trees which received the nitrogen in the form of nitrates. Suggestions as to the benefits of nitrogenous manuring are also furnished by the following examples of actual practice. I note these particular examples, because I have full^knowledge of the facts. One of the most productive and profitable peach orchards in our State is now twelve years old, and at present shows no signs of decay or loss of vitality. This orchard, with the exception of one year, has received annually per acre, since the bearing period at three years of age : Nitrate of soda 200 lbs. Ground bone 200 " Acid phosphate 200 " Muriate of potash 200 " The exception noted is, that one year the nitrate of soda was omitted from part of the orchard ; this omission, in the opinion of the owner, resulted not only in a considerable loss of fruit for that year, but in a diminution of the vitality of the trees, which 3IANURIN(i ORCHARDS. 163 was very noticeable in the next crop, even though that year fer- tilized with nitrates as usual. This orchard is situated in the peach region on soil well adapted for fruits, and was in a good state of fertility when the trees were planted. Orchards in the immediate neighborhood that were planted at the same time, and which were either not fertilized at all, or in a very unsystematic way, have all been removed, either because of the death of the trees, or because the crops received were not sufficient to pay for the labor of caring for the orchard. It may be well to state, too, that this orchard, consisting of ten acres, has produced eight profitable crops ; one crop returned a net profit of $200 per acre, while the average net profit for the whole period of the life of the orchard, now twelve years, is over $50 per acre. Another orchard, situated on a sandy loam soil, which had been fertilized liberally with ground bone and muriate of potash only, showed signs of decay at the age of nine 3'ears. The spring of the tenth year a part of the orchard received, in addition to the bone and potash, 200 pounds per acre of nitrate of soda, and another part was seeded with crimson clover in the fall of the ninth year, which was used as a green manure crop in the spring of the tenth year. The effect of the added nitrogen was very striking, the trees revived, the color of the leaves changed to a dark green, and the fruit increased considerably, so that now, at the age of thirteen years, this fertilization having been continued in the meantime, it presents a healthy and vigorous appearance. The third example is furnislied by a pear orchard of ten acres, which has not missed a full and profitable crop since it came into bearing, now more than ten years, and is fertilized annually with one-half ton of an even mixture of ground bone and muriate of potash ; it received nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda in the earlier stages of its life, while for the past five years the nitrogen has been supplied through the means of green manures. The practice of the Burlington County farmers is also in evi- dence as to the benefits of large and continued applications of nitrogen in the form of barnyard manure, since more than one- third of the whole number represented use this exclusively, while nearly all who use it find the practice profitable. It would seem, therefore, that the advantage of nitrogenous manuring is suffi- ciently well established, and that the chief questions are as to the 104 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. kind of nitrogen and the best methods of use. In the first place, the character of the soil fiiust guide here, since soils differ both in their physical and chemical character, and lience in their ability to supply food. Sandy soils with sandy or gravelly subsoils repre- sent a large class ; they possess a fairly good physical character, but are very deficient in vegetable matter containing nitrogen, and in the mineral constituents, phosphoric acid and potash. On these, nitrogen supplied in the form of vegetable matter has proved of great advantage, both directly in furnishing nitrogen, and indi- rectly in improving the physical character of the soil, though it must be accompanied by an abundance of the mineral constituents, phosphoric acid and potash. If applied in the form of nitrate on this class of soils, there is great danger of loss from leaching. Sandy or clay loams overlying clay subsoils of medium porosity represent another class. These are frequently of good texture, and richer in both humus and mineral constituents than the sandy. With good cultivation fruits make a normal and health}^ growtii, and do not show the need of nitrogen until crops are harvested ; they are then much benefited by it, and it ma^' be most econom- ically applied in the form of nitrates, particularly if added in connection with the mineral constituents, phosphoric acid and potash. The third class includes those which possess good physical qualities combined with a high natural strength, which comprise a relatively small area. Where such soils have not been sub- jected for a long time to exhaustive cropping, the growth and development of both tree and fruit proceed normally with mini- mum applications of manures. In the second place, the natural mode of growth and develop- ment of the tree should guide in the use of nitrogen. In all cases there should be sufficient nitrogen to provide for an abundant leaf growtli early in the season, since the tree and fruit are dependent for food upon both the leaves and the roots. The supply of nitrogen, however, should be limited late in the season, or the foliage will hold too long, with a consequent late feeding, and the result that the new wood formed will lack hardi- ness and maturity. Practical Suggestions. — A system of manuring for culti- vated orchards, based upon the limited data at our disposal, may be outlined as follows : MANURING ORCHARDS. 1G5 To provide vegetable matter and to improve the physical quality of poor soils, apply yard manure once iu four years, in fall or winter, at the rate of from five to ten tons per acre. To aid in the decomposition of vegetable matter, and to insure a sufficiency of lime as plant food, apply lime at the i-ate of twenty- five bushels per acre once iu five years. To provide, in addition, an abundance of all forms of available plant food at the times needed for the development of the tree and fruit, apply annually chemical fertilizers in the following proportions : Nitrate of soda 100 lbs. South Carolina rock superphosphate 100 " Ground bone • 200 " Muriate of potash 200 '' The amounts to be applied depend upon the character of the soils, as previously outlined, the kind of fruit, and the age and vigor of the trees ; these given, perhaps, mark the minimum. In a number of best orchards the quantities applied are very much larger than is here indicated, and the larger application is believed by the growers to be proportionately profitable. By the recent introduction of crimson clover, we have a plant admirably adapted to supply cheaply nitrogenous vegetable matter for orchards, and its growth is to be recommended wherever the plant can be successfully grown, instead of the use of barn- yard manure, particularly upon the poorer soils, until the}'^ are abundantly supplied with vegetable matter. The clover should be ploughed down early in the season, in order not to retard the spring growth of the trees. Where the conditions are favorable for the growth of clover, the application of nitrate of soda may be omitted. I have in this paper presented, as fully as my time allows, what iu my judgment seems to be reliable information bearing upon the subject, and a careful review shows that it only empha- sizes the statement made in the beginning, that there is urgent need of studies and investigations concerning the food require- ments of the various fruits. igg massachusetts horticl ltural societv. Discussion. Samuel Hartwell asked, "What is the comparative cost of manuring an orchard with barnyard manure and with chemical fertilizers ? " Professor Voorhees replied that twenty tons of yard manure, at Si. 50 a ton, would cost $30, while the chemical fertiUzers suggested could be bought for $11. In New Jersey commercial fertilizers are relatively cheap and city manures comparatively dear. Mr. Clement said : "The Professor has stated that the life of a peach tree is eight years. Is not that rather a small number? " Professor Voorhees replied, that it is, but that it is the age at which orchardists in New Jersey generally remove their orchards. It is a shorter time perhaps than it is here or farther south, but with our methods, when no manure or fertilizer is used, it has proved the time to stop. Mr. Clement further asked whether the yellows were supposed to be helped or cured by the use of mineral fertilizers, to which Professor Voorhees answered, that this point was not borne in mind in the experiments. In some of the orchards which were reported to him as affected, it was found that the apparent 3'el- lows were often caused by a deficiency of food or by the root- louse. When a supply of nitrogen was given the yellow color usually disappeared and the tree assumed a healthy growth. Being asked, "What proportion of nitrogen should be put into an application of wood ashes?" Professor Voorhees said that he would not recommend a mixture of nitrogenous matter and wood ashes, but rather that the ashes be applied in the fall at the rate of one ton per acre, and that the nitrogen be applied in spring in the form of nitrate of soda ; as a rule the application should not exceed one hundred and fifty pounds per acre. An excess may give too much leaf growth. Nitrate of soda carries sixteen per cent of nitrogen, so that there are twenty- four pounds of nitrogen in this application of one hundred and fifty pounds of nitrate of soda. Apply as early as possible, so that it may be in the tree in July. Turn green manure under very early — before June — for the same reason. Thomas Harrison asked about applying nitrogen early in the life of tiie tree, and whether the amount given and the form of application should be varied in different years. MEMORIAL OF HON. JOHN P. SPAULDINtt. 167 lu repl}' Professor Voorhees said that there had been experi- ments on that point and that an excess of nitrogen gave more leaf and wood growth than was necessary, and the wood had to be cut back. Two hundred pounds of nitrate of soda per year seems to be too much to apply. He would not usually apply nitrogen before the trees begin to bear, but on very poor soils would apply it. Notice was given of an extra meeting to be held on April 11, when William C. Bates would read a paper on "Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous." * An invitation was also read from Samuel Heushaw, Secretary of the Boston Society of Natural History, to attend a meeting of that Society, Wednesday evening, April 1, when Prof essor William Libby would read a paper on " The Hawaiian Islands." BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, April 4, 1896. A duly notified Stated Meeting of the Society was holden at eleven o'clock today, the President, Francis H. Appletox, in the chair. Hon. George Heywood, from the Committee to prepare a memorial of the late Hon. John P. Spaulding, presented the following : Massachusetts Horticultural Society, April 4, 1896. The Committee appointed to prepare and present resolutions on the death of Hon. John P. Spaulding have attended to that duty and report : Whereas the Massachusetts Horticultural Society has learned of the sudden decease of one of its members, the Hon. John P. Spaulding, of Boston, Resolved, That the Society would most reverently recognize the wise though mysterious will of Providence by which it has been so recently deprived of one of its members. Resolved, That this Society has lost a highly esteemed member, who by his many exhibits manifested a great interest iu the 168 .AIASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. objects, usefulness, and prosperity of the Society ; his beautiful grounds, filled with the choicest fruits, flowers, and vegetables, show that he was an ardent and scientific amateur in horticulture. In his death not onl}- has this Society, but the communit}' at large and the Commonwealth, city, and country, in many of their interests, lost a most estimable friend and a highly valuable citizen. Resolved, That this Society tenders to his relatives its heartfelt sympathy in this their deep bereavement. J. H. Woodford, * George Hetwood, Edwin A. Hall, Committee. The memorial was unanimously adopted. n The President read a letter from F. L. Harris, of the Committee to prepare a memorial of the late C. M. Atkinson, stating that the Committee had been unable to perform that duty and asking further time, which was granted. The President laid before the Society two pamphlets on the diseases of Carnations, presented to the Librarj-. The following-named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were, on ballot, duly elected : William Caleb Loring, of Beverly. Frank O. Carpenter, of West Roxbury. Charles Jackson Dawson, of Jamaica Plain. Mrs. William Farnsworth, of Dedham. Adjourned to Saturday, May 2. MEETING FOR LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, April 11, 1896. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holdeu today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis II. Appleton, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : mushrooms, edible axd poisonoxs. 169 Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous. By William C. Bates, Vice-President of the Boston Mycological Club, Boston. The Massachusetts Horticultunil Society has uow for many years devoted its resources and expert knowledge to the develop- ment in this community of a higher intelligence in regard to the growth, propagation, utility, and beauty of all forms of vegetable life — vegetable in its widest sense, including fruit, flower, and plant, and all the products of the vegetable kingdom. The time, intellect, and money of the Society have been devoted to these ends, that the life of man may have a wider, fuller, freer existence, and that his spiritual sense may be quickened by the revelation of the beneficent bounty of the all-mother Nature, and that the stress of man's daily wants may be somewhat lightened by the increased yield in quality and quantity of Nature's products. It seems eminently proper, in view of this chosen work of the Society, that we should spend the hour in consideration of one form of vegetable life. Native Fungi, which, it is claimed, has within its own field great possibilities of beneficence in its adapta- bility as nourishing food for man. It has been well said that " he who makes two blades of grass grow where one grew before " is a benefactor of the race ; it follows, then, that the revelation to the people of this country that tons upon tons of nutritious diet are spontaneously produced by nature and await each year man's con- sumption, is the duty of the mycologist and of every one who loves his fellow men. We will consider the subject, Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous, almost entirely from an economic point of view — that is, in rela- tion to their value as a food product and in regard to their varieties and abundance in all parts of our country. Botanists have, for about a hundred years, been engaged in analyzing and classifying the fungi until upwards of one thousand species have been ticketed and labeled with scientific names, but it is only within fifty years that much attention has been paid to the esculent qualities of mushrooms, and much progress has been made in very recent years. Indeed, a dozen years ago there were probably not a score of mycophagists in England and America, — that is, persons who knew by their own experience the value of several species of mushrooms for food — eaters of mushrooms. Mushrooms have been eaten since the earliest times, especially 170 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. in early Roman times, and have been used in large quantities and ill considerable variety for two or three hundred years in Italy, France, Russia, and Germany. The common people of France and Italy depend upon mushrooms to supply their table at certain seasons of the year, and seem to have an intuitive knowledge of the edible species, although from ignorance of recent investiga- tions mistakes still occur in those countries with fatal results. Mushrooms are gathered in the Himalayas and the Vale of Cash- mere, dried, and shipped to Europe; Japan exports large quan- tities to China ; Patagoniaus have them for an exclusive diet during part of the year ; in New Zealand and Australia the con- sumption is very noticeable, and yet in this country the use of mushrooms has been confined to a very limited area, and until within a few years to a single species, and that not one of the most conspicuous, or, in the opinion of many mycologists, the most valuable, the mushroom of commerce, Agaricus compestris, ■with its several varieties. The reason of this is not far to seek : First, this mushroom is almost the only one, so far, which lends itself to artificial propagation, and so has become more generally known as an edible species than any other; and, second, because of a wholesome and necessary fear of bad results from eating poisonous mushrooms, for it is known to all that some are very injurious if eaten; in point of fact it is probable that every year there are from twenty to thirty deaths in the United States from this cause alone. It may be argued from this that if the use of our native mush- rooms is made more general and popular these fatalities will largely increase, and so instead of a blessing this new food product will prove a curse. This would undoubtedly be the case unless the knowledge of the poisonous species goes before and follows and surrounds all acquaintance with mushrooms, and this knowledge it is the aim of mycologists (and, it seems to me, of this Society) to make prominent and foremost in all speech, writing, or object lessons, by exhibition or photograph given upon this subject. It is necessary that the student of this subject shall be first fright- ened to death that he may afterwards rise into peace and satis- faction and eat his mushrooms without fear and trembling. How can this knowledge be obtained ? Is there any rule or guide by which poisonous mushrooms can be known at sight and all danger eliminated, so that we may go forth into the fields or woods and MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AXD POISONOUS. 171 gather mushrooms in safety? There is but one way — we must learn to know them; that is, we must learn to iinow at sight certain edible mushrooms, and in the same way learn to know the poison- ous species ; there is no other way to pluck the flower safety from the nettle danger. This knowledge is not so difficult of acquisition as it seems ; it is much easier than it was a few years ago. In recent years upwards of two hundred species of mush- rooms have been tested, identified, and branded for all time and for all climates as edible, but perhaps the most notable service in this direction is the running to earth of the archenemy of all, the " deadly Amanita." To this species all the fatal results of mushroom poisoning are traced ; it follows that if we can banish this species from our diet comparative safety is assured. It is due to Capt. Julius A. Palmer. Jr., to say that this segregation of the Amanita as the one cause of all mushroom poisoning has been for many years the burden of his speech and writings upon mush- rooms ; we owe much to him that it is now generally admitted that the Amanita is the one particular genus to be avoided, tracing to it most, of the fatalities. This has come, too, not only from tracing to this species most of the cases of mushroom poisoning, but from failure to trace such fatalities to other species. This is not to say that all other mushrooms are edible ; there are others that will be injurious, and others unfit for food ; therefore it remains that those which are edible must also be learned '' by heart," as we used to say in school ; that is, to be known at sight. It would seem that if we have learned to know the Amanita, half our battle with ignorance is already won, and we are on the road to safety in gathering mushrooms. Let us see what progress we can make in this knowledge today and now. Before turning to the photographs as aids in identifying the various species of mushrooms both edible and poisonous, let me recall the principal divisions of fungi which are to furnish this abundant food product of the twentieth century. There are the mushrooms with gills, laminae, or plates, the most abundant and common form being the Agarici, known to all ; mushrooms with pores on the under surface, the Boleti and Polyporae ; mushrooms with spines ; and the miscellaneous, such as the Puffballs and Coral mushrooms. The Amanita belongs to the first class, the Agarici ; it follows therefore that in the other species we are free from its dangers, thouah we shall have still to learn which of the 172 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Boleti are fit and proper for food, and so with the others. The Agariei, or mushrooms with gills, are a large family, and we cannot part with them all on account of the Amanita, but must learn to get rid of it from our collections, leaving us free to gather the great variety of gilled mushrooms which are edible. Tliis brings us to some consideration of the manner of growth of mushrooms in general and of the Amanita in particular. Mushrooms may be considered as the fruit of the plant itself, the plant being a thread-like substance out of sight below^ the surface ; the fruit is nature's method of maturing and distributing the seed or germ of new life, spores. Mr. W. Hamilton Gibson, in his recently published work " Our Edible Mushrooms and Toadstools," has made all wlio follow him on this subject his debtors, and we shall have occasion to draw often from his beautiful and life-like plates, as weil as from Captain Palmer's " Mushrooms of America ; " from the Government reports of the Division of Microscopy, Department of Agriculture, and the English works of Mrs. T. J. Hussey and Rev. M. C. Cooke. In a plate of Mr. Gibson's book we see the thread-like plant, the mycelium of the mushroom. At times, after rains or in the proper conditions of heat and moisture, the growth is quickened and these little knobs begin to grow and soon push above the surface with the appearance of a small egg. The successive stages of growth are well indicated in another of Mr. Gibson's drawings ; in the fii'st stage, the mushroom is enclosed in an envelope which is soon ruptured, but the envelope or volva leaves behind it, in the Amanitas, several indications of its presence, and these may well be called Nature's danger signals. As the mushroom grows a portion of the ruptured envelope adheres to the cap, another portion connects the cap at its edge with the stem, and another part remains at the base, a cup or sac from whicli the stem rises. As the cap expands these scales or warts remain upon the cap, the veil falls away from the cap and surrounds the stem, the sac remains at the base, and we have the complete Amanita vernus, a deadly poison, which Mr. Gibson has appropriately marked with the death's head and labelled " poison." This mushroom is one of the most attractive in appearance, pure white without distinct odor; it is very common, generally accom- panying edible species, and would be likel}' to be the first selected MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE A'SB POISONOUS. 173 by the untrained person. The scales upon ihe top of the pileus or cap are missing at a later stage of growth, or would be rubbed off by contact; it will be seen therefore that if this mushroom were phicked by cutting above the volva at the base and placed with edible varieties it might give no iudication of its deadly character and presence ; hence the impossibilitv of accepting a miscellaneous basket of mushrooms without a certificate of character or an expert knowledge of what is not and cannot possibly be an Amanita. The rule of safety is, all Amanitas grow from a volva or sac, some of this genus are poisonous, therefore gather no mushrooms growing from a volva or sac. If there are scales upon the cap and a veil-like ring and the color is, as we have learned it, pure white, scarlet, orange, or yellow, we should look for the cup, and, as it is not always visible above the ground, pass the knife below the surface, taking care to lift the whole ; we shall soon learn to recognize the Amanita famil}^ at a distance and keep them there. The Amanita vermis is pure white, but A. muscarius is orange, yellow, or scarlet, with scales or warts upon the cap, a distinct veil or ring and a volva, although Mr. Gibson notes it as often absent, indicated by a mere ragged line of loose, outward curved, shaggy scales around a bulbous base. Captain Palmer portrays it (the volva) as quite distinct. Probably both are right at different stages of growth. The student should not be content with verbal description, but should turn to the colored plates now available, become familiar with the named varieties as exhibited, — and for that purpose the exhibitions of this Society are invaluable, — and, if possible, when learning to know mushrooms, he should have in the season the practical in- struction of an expert friend. Now let us turn to a pleasanter phase of our subject, and con- sider some edible species which cannot possibly be mistaken for poisonous vartetics. The number of edible species is much larger than is generally supposed ; upwards of two hundred have been catalogued, and any mycologist should have an eating acquaintance with from fifty to one hundred kinds. The plate of twelve edible mushrooms from the report of the Agricultural Department for 1894, by Dr. Taylor, may fairly be put before the student as his task for a single season. If he accomplishes this, nature will ever after have a new meaning to him, and he will go forth to the fields and woods with a double and quadruple interest ; his eyes will be 174 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, opened to uew botanical wonders, and he will have a new appreci- ation of the bounty of Nature to her foster child, man. [After these general reiuari\S, the lecturer proceeded to describe carefully some of the leading species of edible mushrooms. These descriptions were made more interesting by the use of stereopticon illustrations.] Agaricus carnjyestris. The Meadow Mushroom. — There are many persons who will recognize this mushroom as the only one which they know and gather for food. Agaricus camjyestris is the most widely known, and by some thought to be the best of our native edible mushrooms. The new mycologist has no enmity to this well-known species ; he simply claims that it is one of the many, and this knowledge is by no means as common as it should be. It may soon be learned, and ever afterwards be recognized at sight. It grows in open grassy places in fields and pastures, but not in the woods. The cap is whitish rather than white ; brownish rather than brown ; the gills beneath the cap, in its best condition, are pink, but soon become a dark brown ; the margin of the cap extends a little beyond the extremity of the gills — folds over them, we might say. The flesh inclines to turn pink when broken ; the stem has a woolly ring or veil. There are many vari- eties of this species, but none surpassing the campestris in flavor. Agaricus arvensis. The Horse Mushroom. — Tiiis species is almost as common in the wild state, and more frequently met with, I think, in cultivation, as it grows much larger, and so 3'ields a better return in weight. The comparative merits of the campestris, and several of those we have under consideration today, will not be settled for a long time. There are two sides to the shield ; there is room for all in the gastronomic menu. The peculiar flavor of the campestris has come to be known as the mushroom flavor, but there are some to whom it is not agreeable, and they say, " Oh, 1 don't care for mushrooms." As well say, "■ I never eat meat," because the flavor of mutton is not agreeable. Mv- cophagists claim that there is as much variety in the flavors of mushrooms as in those of meats. Tastes vary ; it is said that in Rome the public censor or, what- ever may be his title, the otticial inspector of musin-ooms, condemns to the Tiber our favorite Agaricus cainpestris, but this may have been changed long ago. It hardly seems possible, for this species is known and used in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its popularity MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AKD POISOXOl S. 175 is increased, uo doubt, by its beiug so easily recognized when once its characteristics are familiar, but the Common Mushroom is one of many, and we must pass on to other species. Agaricns gamhosus. St. George's Mushi'oom. — This mushroom will interest us as being due in April ; in England it is called St. George's mushroom from the date of its appearance, St. George's Day, April 23. Whether this mushroom appears in this vicinity or not, our interest in the subject is too recent for us to have ascertained. Mr. Gibson speaks of it as common in this country ; it is specially noticeable for its rank odor. The cap is from three to six or eight inches in diameter, first convex, then expand- ing and cracked ; the color yellowish while, suggesting soft kid leather; the gills crowded, yellowish white, moist, of various lengths, and joined to the stem by a sharp downward curve ; the stem stout and solid. It grows in fields, lawns, and pastures in rings or crescents, much like the Fairy Ring mushroom. Dr. Badham reports collecting from a single ring ten or twelve pounds, and in one field about twenty-five pounds of this mushroom. Farmers, ignorant of the economic value of this crop, take pains to eradicate it, fearing injury to the grass ; how much better to take it home in a basket for the table, for themselves and neighbors. This mushroom, coming so early, growing in rings, having white gills, and a powerful odor, could hardly be mistaken for any other. Let us hope some one will report it as found in this vicinity before the end of April of the present season. Dr. Badham recorded : " It is the most savory fungfis with which we are acquainted." Cooke gives an appetizing receipt for cooking St. George's mushrooms : "Place some freshly made toast upon a dish, and put the Agarics on it, pepper and salt and put a small piece of butter on each ; then pour on each one a tablespoon- fnl of milk or cream, and a single clove to the whole dish. Place an inverted basin over the whole, bake twenty minutes, and serve without removing the cover until it comes to the table, so as to preserve the heat and aroma." Robinson adds: "A great quantity of gravy comes out of it, mingled in a good specimen with osmazome, which tastes very much like tlie similar exudation on the surface of a roast leg of mutton." Agaricus ulmariHS. The Elm Mushroom. — This mushroom appears on elm trees, sometimes in dense masses, is edil>le and 17() MASSACHUSETTS HORTinLTURAL SOCIETY. very palatable when young and therefore tender. A large mass was observed last summer on an elm tree in the yard belonging to ihe house of a club near here, whose members would presumably have enjoyed the succulent dish. The manner of growth of this mushroom is sufficient for identification. ■ Of a similar character is Agaricus ostreatus, the Oyster Mush- room, sometimes called the Vegetable Oyster. It is usually found in large clusters upon decaying stumps, joined sidewise to them by a°short stem. Clusters of several pounds weight may be fathered from a single stump. The color is dull yellow or ash color, the gills dingy white. When young and tender this mush- room may be cooked in any way one would cook oysters, and the result will be equally agreeable and nutritious. Mr. Gibson has only seen this mushroom in autumn, but Dr. Mcllvaiue speaks of finding it from March until fall. Agaricus cretacens. The Chalk Mushroom. —This is a pure white mushroom growing on lawns and rich grass plots — never in woods. The cap, first globular, afterwards expands, becoming dark and smoky. It is quite brittle and the cuticle peels easily ; the stem is hollow and parts easily from the cap without breaking the o^ills, a strong feature in identification. The flavor is mild. One should become acquainted with this species, though it is not so valuable or plentiful as some others that w^e have discussed. Lepiota procerus. The Parasol Mushroom. — This mushroom is often described by enthusiasts as the best of all. The genus Lepiota is distinguished by a well developed ring, which soon breaks loose from its attachment and falls down, or may hang down upon the stem. The cap is distinct from the stem, that is, not joined to it by the gills, the stem being inserted in the cap in a distinct cavity or depression of the cap. The parasol has a dry, clean cap three or four inches in diameter with a distinct protuberance in the centre of the top ; it is brown in color and has reddish brown scales dispersed somewhat regularly upon the upper surface of tlie cap. The stem is slender and five or six inches long, swollen at the bottom to a bulb; but without a sheath or°volva. The gills are white; the smell and taste are pleasant and nutty. It grows singly in the open fields, some- times under trees or by the roadside, and is found in summer and early autumn. The flesh is firm and, including the gills, of uni- form thickness from stem to rim or from centre to circumference. ^ MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND POISONOUS. 177 Two other species, L. rachodes and L. Badhami, are com- mon in this vicinity, and are both edible. The parasol mush- room is best broiled quickly and seasoned to taste, while the Badliami or Saffron Lepiota is better stewed, when it yields a dark rich gravy. The AVoolhope Club has recipes for Procerus pie, potted Procerus, Procerus ketchup. Procerus omelet, scalloped Parasol, Parasol sauce, etc. Coprinus comcdus. The Shaggy Mane Mushroom. — This species will alwaj^s have a special attraction for me, it being the first mushroom which revealed itself to me after my eyes were opened to the possibility of learning to know for myself at least several species of edible fungi. There is no mistaking this mush- room for any other, and, if found in proper condition, that is, not too young or too mature, it would be folly to leave it un- gathered. This mushroom has been called " the ' fungus of civil- ization,' as it is generally found near human dwellings." It seems to thrive on made land, possibly on account of the coal ashes frequently used for filling; consequently we find it on city and suburban lawns or vacant lots ; generally on a rich surface of loam, but on new or made ground. It is generally found in clusters, though often springing up singly over a considerable area. Appearing above ground in shape like a pigeon's egg, of a dirty white color, as it develops it becomes elongated and cylindrical, five or six inches in height. The cap does not expand, its shape remaining that of an inverted tumbler ; the top is covered with shaggy scales or threads. As the mushroom matures it melts into an inky fluid and sinks into the ground ; even when gathered, instead of drying up, if left to itself it deliquesces into a dark slimy mass. In its perfect state the gills are white or of a rosy tinge, soon turning purple and black and so into an inky fluid. This mushroom hns good edible qualities ; it should be cooked soon after gathering — within twelve hours at least. The flavor is most rich and its texture most delicate when the gills show a pink color, with the margins turning to sepia. Tliere seem to be two seasons to the Coprinus — at least to C. comatus — the latter part of May and earl}' in June, and again in September and October, the autumn supply being much the largest. This shaggy mushroom is best cooked, I think, b}' stewing in milk or cream with butter, pepper, and salt. 178 ]V1 ASS ACHL SETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Coprimis atramentarius, the Inky Mushroon, C micaceus, and C. congregatus, were also mentioned. Marasmius oreades. The true Fairy Ring champignon. — This is an edible mushroom of such marked characteristics as to be easily recognized. It flourishes in pastures with short grass, by the roadside aud on lawns ; never in the woods. It grows in rings, is of a bright buff color, somewliat tough, and with a solid stem. The gills are wide apart, ten or twelve to the inch, and of cream color. All authorities agree that this Fairy Ring mush- room is of excellent flavor. It may be dried and kept for years ; it is sold in the London markets, being often picked "by the bushel in England. The size is one or two inches in diameter, and when mature, in the centre of the top of the cap is a tiny elevation or mound. The gills curve upward and are quite free from the stem. Some mycologists think this the best of all mushrooms. It is the one referred to by Shakspeare in : " The nimble elves That do by moonshine green sour ringlets make Whereof the ewe bites not, whose pastime 'tis To make these midnight mushrooms." The rings in which this mushroom grows widen from year to year and have been observed three hundred feet in diameter. This is a summer mushroom, extending sometimes into the early autumn. Very little care will serve to distinguish the true Fair}- Ring mushroom from a relative which is not edible, the Marasmhis urens, whose gills are crowded together, turning brown, and whose stem is more or less covered with down, especially at the base. The M. peronatus, another poisonous champignon, is found only in the woods. It has spines at the base of the stalk. These two species should be avoided. The Russulas comprise a large family of edible mushrooms and when once learned are easily recognized. They are abundant in most parts of the country. They belong to the Agarics, having gills, — most species having even gills, that is, the same length, extending from the stem to the edge of the cap. The substance of the cap is quite brittle ; the stem short and stout, solid, and tapering toward the base ; no sign of a veil or volva at any stage. The taste, raw, is sweet and nutty; the color of the cap may be green, purple, pinkish gray, and various shades of red ; the gills are MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND POISONOUS. 179 generally white or pale cream color. There are two special things to be avoided in gathering Russulas ; this genus is in special favor with insects, and frequently it seems as if every one was infested in this way. The fastidious will reject all with any appearance of insect occupation, and this may occur between the time of picking and cooking ; hence attention must be given to this at the last, just before cooking, b}' cutting in sections. The other difficulty in gathering Russulas is the danger of picking a noxious species, Russula emetica, the effects of which would at least be very dis- agreeable, and there is at present just one w^ay recommended for detecting the presence of this species, viz., to taste a small piece of each specimen picked. M. emetica has an unmistakable hot, peppery taste, and must, of course, be thrown away. The Russulas are so abundant in woods from July to September and of such appetizing flavor when broiled, baked, stewed, or eaten raw, as to be well worth identification. Lactarius deliciosus. The Orange-Milk Mushroom. — The milky mushrooms are a ver}' common genus in our woods in July and August; they have the characteristic of exuding a milky juice unmistakable when seen. Several of the brown species are edible, and one of the most common, white and with gills very fine and close together, like a fine tooth comb, which is very liberal with its bitter acrid milk, is quite edible, its acridity disappearing in cooking. The most attractive of the milky mushrooms is Lacta- rius deliciosus, the Orange-milk mushroom. The cap is from three to five inches in diameter, and is generally of a dull reddish orange color, with banks or rings of darker red. The flesh, when bruised, exudes a juice of orange color or deep yellow, gradually turning green on exposure. It is found in woods, pine gi'oves, and swamps from July to September. The taste when raw is slightly acrid, but this disappears in cooking. This is considered by all ac- quainted with it one of the most delicious of our edible mush- rooms. I regret that my only summer of search has not brought it to my personal knowledge. Hypholoma sublateritius. The Brick-Top Mushroom. — While many mushrooms are edible and should be sought after by those desiring additions to the larder, either from necessity or from epi- curean motives, there are others which are not important enough to lead us to expect they will become a feature of the markets, owing either to their comparative rarity or lack of decided value. 180 MASSACHUSETTS JIOKTICILTI'RAL SOCIETY. The Hypholoma sublateritins^ the Brick-top mushroom, may be classed in the latter category, though those familiar with its edible qualities will not pass it by. It grows in clusters upon or around stumps or on the ground covering decaying wood, and is found in the late autumn. The cap is of brick red color with paler edges ; the gills are at first of a dull white, turning to olive green. It is slightly bitter when uncooked, but is excellent when stewed with butter, pepper, and salt and served on toast. It is often found after frosts, perhaps covered with leaves at the base of a stump. Cantharellus cibarms. The Chantarelle. — If any mushroom deserves the title of Royal it doubtless should be given to this Chantarelle. Nero is said to have declared the Amanita Cces((7'ea to be food for the gods. Battara, an old writer on fungi, re- marked, that ^ if properly prepared, the Chantarelle would arrest the pangs of death." This mushroom is of golden yellow in all its parts, like the dark yolk of an egg. It is about two inches in height and about the same in breadth, conical or funnel shaped. The flesh of the cap is firm and thick ; the stem is of the same sub- stance and equally good to eat. Instead of gills the under surface is composed of thread-like veins running down the stem, with smaller veins running transversely. The odor is delicate, like ripe apricots or plums ; the flesh white, tinged with yellow. This Chantarelle may be stewed, fried, or broiled, combined with the meat of chicken or used in soup ; in fact, it can hardly fail to ex- cite the enthusiasm of the epicure. It grows profusel}' wherever it is found, generally in light woods and partially covered with leaves. My own particular preserve is within four miles of the State House, and the Chantarelle is found there from July to Sep- tember inclusive. It may be readily dried for use in winter, and when one reflects that witliin the bounds of New England large quantities of this delicious mushroom must go to waste every year, utterly unknown and uncared for, it would seem as if a reward should be offered for its discovery and shipment to market. There is a false Chantarelle, C. aurantiacus, growing in grass, in open places ; not egg yellow, but reddish orange in color ; the gills more like true gills than veins. In another species the gills are almost white, but neither of these would be mistaken for the true Chantarelle by one to whom it had once been familiar. Boletus edidis. The Edible Pore Mushroom. — The name Boletus is now applied to those mushrooms which iiave a soft flesh MISIIROO-AIS, EDIBLE AND POISONOUS. 181 with vertical tubes uuderneath the cap. The tubes are round or angular ; the cap horizontal and fleshy. The BoletxH edulis can hardly be mistaken for any other ; the surface of the c:ip is smooth, the flesh white and unchanging ; the tubes first white, then pale yellow, and later greenish yellow ; the stem solid and quite tliick. It is found in spring, summer, and autumn in pine, oak, and chestnut woods. It is sold in quantities in Italy, Germany, and Russia, and is dried for winter use, making an excellent soup. It is usual in England to cut away the porous under surface, using only the fleshy cap, but in young specimens, only two or three inches in diameter, the whole cap, including the pore surface, may be gathered and eaten. These Boleti may be found six or eight inches in diameter ; young and smaller specimens are the best; " about the size of a penny bun" is the English standard. They remove the stem and pores, cut the fleshy cap into small pieces, place it in a covered dish with butter, pepper, and salt, and bake for an hour. There are several species of edible Boleti, and it is noticeable that some which were condemned a few 3'ears ago are now known as edible. Such is B. subtomentosus, the flesh of which turns blue upon fracture, but there is no longer any doubt of the edibility of the species. Dr. Curtis placed it in his list long ago, and it has been often tried by Captain Palmer and Captain Mcllvaine. Some mycologists incline to the opinion that all Boleti are edible if gathered in the proper condition ; it is certain that a great number of valuable species are going to waste each year, from lack of attention by our people. B. alveolatus and B. felleus are placed by Gibson among the suspicious Boleti. These may be easily avoided by amateur col- lectors, B. alveolatus having a crimson or a maroon cap, the tube surface the same, and the stem mottled yellow, red, and maroon. B. felleus has a pinkish flesh and is extremely bitter to the taste ; the tube surface is white to pinkish in color. A sufficient acquaint- ance with these various Boleti can hardly- be made without refer- ence to the colored plates in Mr. Gibson's or Captain Palmers' book. Strohilomyces strobilaceu.'i. The Cone-like Boletus. — Another edible species which cannot be mistaken for any of the other Boleti, is the Cone-like Boletus. It is of a brownish gray color and has a shaggy surface with brown or black woolly [)oiuts, the 182 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. pore surface grayish white becoming brown, the substance turning red when broken. It grows to four inches in diameter, and may be dried and kept indefinitely. It its found abundant within a few miles of the State House. Our Italian population have brought with tliem a knowledge of Boleti. Lycoperdece or Puffballs. — The puffballs are easily i-ecognized and cannot be mistaken for species of any other genus. Tliey are among the most valuable of the edible mushrooms. There are several species, the most common in tliis section being Lyco- perdon saccatAim^ with a diameter of three or four inches. It is filled with a soft white flesh when immature and at its edible stage ; it changes to an elastic yellowish brown, cottony, and dusty mass, including the spores, which are soon blown broadcast by tiie winds. The Giant Puffball, L. gigantetim, attains a diameter of one and even two feet. This mushroom is cooked by frying in a batter of egg and bread crumbs, or it may be stewed with some other mushroom, of which it will absorb the flavor. Puffballs must be gathered young, while they are white and pulpy ; if turn- ing yellow or powdery they are too old for use. It is the abun- dance of this mushroom in many parts of the United States which gives force to the assertion of mycologists that tons of good food go to waste annually in the United States. Puffballs are found from July to September in closely cropped pastures ; sometimes in meadows and gardens. Dr. Curtis wrote of this fuugus : " It is a general favorite with me, as it is indeed of all my acquaintances who have tried it. It has not the high aroma of some others, but it has a delicacy of flavor that makes it superior to any omelet I have ever eaten. It seems, furthermore, to be so digestible as to adapt itself to the most delicate stomach. It is the South Down of Mushrooms." Fistidina hepatica. Tlie Beefsteak Mushroom, — This mush- room is found on the slumps of oak, ash, and chestnut trees and probabh' approaches animal food more nearly than any other fungus. It is interesting to note that tliis species frequently appears from year to year on the same stump ; it is well, therefore, "when found to make a note of it." It appears at any time dur- ing the summer season and grows to a tongue or palm shape, hav- ing the color of liver or beet, the under side being a pale yellow. It is attractive in appearance when in good condition and, as we say, " looks good enough to eat." When young it should be MLSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND POISOXOU.s. 183 sliced and broiled like steak, or minced and stewed. It lends to the homely hash an ethereal flavor which cannot fail to charm the sninmer boarder, and it also yields a voluptuous gravy which would have raised the spirits of Mrs. Todgers had she only known of it in her day. It is not a rare mushroom in this vicinity ; the open eye will scarcely fail to meet it on any walk through woods abounding in stumps ; " it varies in size from a few inches to several feet in circumference. A well-known mycologist, Mr. Bulkley, observed a specimen weighing twenty pounds ; it has been called the poor man's fungus." This mushroom is utterly unlike the type ordinarily associated with the name ; the under surface is like the Boleti, having pores or tubes closely joined but separating easily, and as small as pin holes. One of the best features is that this species is usually free from larvffi or insects. It projects from the stump without a stem, much as the pod of cocoa grows on its birthplace, and has more the appearance of a shelf. MorcheUa esculenta. The Morel. — Another spring mushroom, found in many parts of the country, is the Morel, MorcheUa esculenta. This species differs materially in form from any of the before mentioned types. The whole plant consists of a cap and stem, but is quite different from those of the Agarics, Boleti, or Hydnei. The cap is deeply pitted on the outside with pits or hol- lows, the flesh being no more than an eighth of an inch thick. The metliod of bearing spores is unique, but the limitation of our subject will prevent a consideration of that phase. The Morels are all edible and are common in the markets of Paris in June. They are used in a dried state in London, and they should be better known in this country, as they are considered a great delicacy, and certainly grow in Massachusetts. The Morel is found growing in orchards, and is said to thrive in made land where ashes have been used for filling. It appears late in April and until June, and may be dried for later use. The hollow shape suggests a variety of methods for cooking. In Italy they are usually cut in pieces and stewed. Dr. Badham suggests filling the cavities with a stuffing of veal. Let us hope the time will soon come when this appetizing food product will not be left to go to waste. It is said in France that the Morel may be cultivated. Hydnum re2Xtncluin. The Hedgehog Mushroom. — This is a spine-bearing mushroom, as the genus Hydnum has spines instead of gills or pores, and so is easily distinguished. As we have shown 1S4 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. there can be no danger of poison in any of this genus. One of the most common, Hyclman repandum, is found in woods in the autumn. The cap is irregular in shape, depressed in the centre, and of a pale yellow ; underneath the cap are the spines, crowded and running downwards, somewhat paler than the cap. The stem is solid, at first white, then turning a cream color, and is generally quite short. Ten or more may be joined together, by which the caps are irreg- ularly formed. The flesh is thick, and the supply is quite plenti- ful in autumn. It may be sliced and dried and so made suitable for winter use. This species is in general use in France, Italy, and Germany, and is well known in England. There can be no doubt of its value as food, and it is equally certain that there is a large supply going to waste in this country from the lack of knowledge of its value. Uncooked, this Hydnum has a slightly pungent taste, and Dr. Cooke recommends its use in a sandwich instead of mustard or peppergrass. The Hydnum being dry and inclined to tough- ness should be cooked slowly. Dr. Badham finds them to resemble oysters in flavor. They are called Doeskin mushrooms in England and also Hedgehog mushrooms. There are several species of Hydnum, all edible ; some grow upon wood ; some from the ground in woods. One is called H. coraUoides, and is described by Professor Peck as being abundant in mountainous districts from August to October. Mr. Gibson de'scribes at length H. caput- Medusm, the Medusa's Head mushroom, and regrets having neglected to gather a fine bunch through ignorance, only to learn from Dr. Harkness that he " had thrown away five pounds of the most delicious fungus meat known to epicures." Polyporus sulplmreus. The Sulphurous Polyporus. — This is one of the many pored fungi ; its color is a very striking feature, and it must have been seen by many of those accustomed to take their walks abroad through woods or to drive over shaded roads. How man}' have known it for a choice edible mushroom ? It is not specified in the English works so far, I believe, but is well known to American mycologists. It is of a brilliant sulphur-yellow or orange-salmon color, growing in dense clusters upon a log, stump, or fence, — generally upon wood beginning to decay. Mr. Gibson speaks of a specimen weighing ten or twenty pounds. A young specimen is delicious and wholesome ; the texture varies with age and becomes tough and woody at the base. It is easy, however. MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND POISONOUS. 185 to recognize the edible portion and proper condition. Some now present may remember a very fine specimen exhibited on the table of this Society last summer. This was tasted by several members of the M3'cological Club with very gratifying results. The flesh may be stewed, fried in butter, or eaten cold as a salad, and on the whole may fairly be said to resemble the white meat of chicken. I am inclined to claim for it equal value as food. It is hardly possible to mistake this edible mushroom for any other, and, if not spoiled in cooking, it cannot fail to recompense whomsoever gathers it. Who shall sa}' how many meals for a family go to waste annually within a stone's throw of some family whose worry would have been lightened by a knowledge of the food value of this mushroom? Helvella crispa. — This mushroom is also little known in this country. It is allied to the Morel, its spores being enclosed before dissemination. The Helvella is an autumn fungus, and all the species are edible and easily recognized b}' their fluted hollow stem, flexible waxy cap, and the color — cream above and ochre beneath. It grows in woods during the late summer and autumn. Armillaria melleus. The Honey Mushroom. — The Honey Mushroom is given in the reports of Dr. Taylor as edible. Cooke speaks of it as the most common and the most universally eaten on the Continent of all the stump mushrooms, and yet it has no favor in England ; it is so common in this country as to be rated as a nuisance. All writers have placed this among edible fungi, but iu the absence of any personal experience we will not insist upon its value as a food product. It is found growing on stumps, fre- quently in dense clusters, and if growing out of grass there is a bit of rotten wood beneath ; the cap is of a honey-brown color and is about two inches across, darker in the centre than at the outer edge ; the stem is rather long, paler than the cap, with a large spreading ring near the top. It is this which gives it the name Armillaria — " little bracelet." The spores are white and so pro- fuse that grass, wood, and leaves beneath are soon covered with a coating of snow-white spores ; this feature will help in its identifi- cation. More testimony is needed as to the value of this mush- room as a food product, though there is no doubt of its being edible, the question being, Is it esculent? This species is very interesting botanically, though this is somewhat apart from our present subject. Botanists have noted that it gives out a phos- 186 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. phoresceiice or luminosity from the mj'celium, and that it is a very good ilkistration of symbiosis, that partnership existence by which two organisms live together for a time ; the mycelium of the ArmiUaria melleus entering through the roots of a pine or spruce permeates the cells of the tree until the fungus is the only surviving partner, the tree dying. A plate in Hartig's " Trees and their Diseases " shows this fungus growing from a pine stump, the ti'ee having been killed by the association. Authorities differ as to its value as food. It seems desirable to have this matter further tested by mycologists, as it is a prolific species. Clavaria. Edible Coral Mushrooms. — This genus seems to be plentiful in all parts of the country, and it is probable that all the species are edible, as it is certain the white ones are. Its growth resembles coral, and it should be tender and brittle when gathered ; not sodden with moisture or yellow with age. It goes without saying that mushrooms are fit for food only when in good condi- tion— that is, before decay has set in and before they are permeated with the larvae of insects, the latter condition occurring very early with certain species, especially in the Russulas and Boleti. Cla- varia rugosa is white, with the tips tinted a greenish gray. Clavaria hotrytis may often be found the size of a cauliflower, with red tips. The Clavariae are not to be despised or neglected, though they are not so important a genus of edible mushrooms as are many others, and when found in sufficient quantities and in size large enough to be gathered free from dirt are absolutely safe for eating. Timid people may well begin with the coral mushrooms. They ma}' be dried and used in winter and may be fried in butter, stewed like oysters, or eaten raw as a salad. It is not attacked by the fungus worms, and is found in summer and autumn in woods. These mushrooms now described and photographs of which have been thrown upon the screen are the most common of our native edible varieties, and should become familiar to all our people. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society will do much to extend this useful knowledge of nature's food product by opening its weekly exhibitions to contributions of mushrooms and by the offer of prizes upon special days for collections of named varieties, and this course has been adopted for the current year. MUSHROOMS, EDIBLE AND POISONOUS. 187 In reply to a question, the lecturer said that edible mushrooms in general are distinctly nutritious — much like meat, and should be considered as more than an agreeable delicacy ; not merely as a luxury but as food for the poor, whose burden of providing food would be much lightened if this form were utilized. TRANSACTIONS P^HS$;ic|jusett$ Dflrticultural ^flnctg, FOR THE YEAR 1896. PART BOSTON: PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY 1897. TRANSACTIONS OF THE pta;S5iicImsetts pattintWutiil f onctir. (S BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, May 2, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was bolden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the cliair. Frederick L. Harris, from tiie Committee appointed to prepare a memorial of the late Charles M. Atkinson, presented the follow- ing report : Mr. C. M. Atkinson, the subject of this memorial, and for thirty-four years a valued member of the Massachusetts Horticult- ural Society, was born in Dorchester, England, in 1826, and in early life apprenticed himself to Mr. Campbell, near Exeter, Devonshire; from thence he went to James Veitch's nursery near by, and shortly afterwards assumed charge as foreman at Lord Sefton's, Clevedon. Leaving there he took charge of Poutey's celebrated nursery at Plymouth, Devonshire, where he remained, after marrying, until he decided to emigrate to America. He arrived in New York in 1857, and at once entered the service of Hovey & Co., at Cambridge, whose nursery at that time was celebrated throughout the United States and Europe for its collec- tions of fruits and exotic plants. Beginning in 1864, he managed the Cushing estate in Belmont three years, when he was appointed Superintendent of Mount Hope Cemetery. Owing to a change of administration there, he took charge of John L. Gardner's estate in Brookliue, where he had an opportunity of identifying himself with the best interests of this Society. 192 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. As a successful exhibitor be bad few equals, and his influence was felt by every one in comi)etition with him. The grand speci- mens of Azaleas shown by him, six in number, bad never pre- viously been equalled by any grower ; one of them, Decora, measuring eight feet by six feet. In hardy roses and hard- wooded plants the numerous medals and diplomas gained by him testify to his superior ability. In his death the Society loses one of its eflflcient aids ; for, although considered as belonging to the old school of gardeners, he ever maintained a love for every new introduction, and was ever anxious, by precept and example, to engage others in furthering the objects of the Society. After a long and active life, his health failing, he resigned his position with Mr. Gardner, January 1, 1895, having held it for a period of twenty-seven years. Marrying a second time, he passed the winter in Washington and returned to Boston in June, when he underwent a surgical operation (the second) and sailed for England. After his arrival there, the old trouble soon manifested itself, necessitating another operation, which terminated fatally. His body was brought to Boston and interred in the family lot in Walnut Hill Cemetery, in Brookline, Thanksgiving Day, 1895. We are sure the Society will express its sympathy with the widow and only son by sending to them a copy of this memorial. Patrick Norton, \ F. L. Harris, > Committee. Kenneth Finlayson, ) The memorial was unanimously adopted. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were upon ballot duly elected : Lander M. Bouve, of Brookline, Henry R. Stedman, M.D., of Roslindale, Michael H. Walsh, of Wood's Holl, George D. Moore, of Arlington. Adjourned to Saturday, June 6. DECEASE OF MEMBERS. 193 BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, June 6, 1896. This was the clay to which the last meeting of the Society ad- journed, but no quorum was present, and the Meetino; was dissolved. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, July 11, 1896. A Stated Meeting of the Society was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The decease of M. L6on Say, President of the National Horti- cultural Society of France, was announced, and the Presideut stated that he had written a letter to the Secretary of the French Society expressive of the appreciation by this Society of the loss sustained. The Secretary announced the decense of Andrew S. Fuller, of Ridgewood, N. Y., a Corresponding Member of the Society, and one of the most eminent practical horticulturists in the country, as well as the author of valuable horticultural books, and moved tlie appointment of a committee to prepare a memorial to him. The motion was carried, and the President said that he would announce the Committee later. The Secretary also laid before the Society a letter from Mrs. C. M. Atkinson, expressing her gratitude for the testimonial to her late husband, and for the sympathy felt by the Society in the loss which his family has sustained. A vote moved by Joseph H. "Woodford, concerning the compen- sation of Committees, was referred to the Executive Committee. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee, were on ballot elected members of the Society : George E. Whittier, of Groton, E. F. Searles, of Methuen, Frederick E. Clarke, of Lawrence, Miss Eleanor J. Clark, of Pomfret, Conn. Adjourned to Saturday, August 1. 194 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, August 1, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the cliair. Agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws the President an- nounced the following Committee to nominate candidates for Offi- cers and Standing Committees of the Society for the next year : William H. Spoonek, Chairman. Benjamin M. Watson, Patrick Norton, Samuel Hartwell, Henry W. Wilson, Benjamin P. Ware, C. Minot Weld Adjourned to Saturday, September 5. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, Septeraber 5, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden today at eleven o'clock. The President and all the Vice-Presidents being absent, the meeting was called to order by the Secretary, and Ex- President William H. Spooner was chosen Chairman pro tern. Mr. Spooner, as Chairman of the Committee to nominate candi- dates for Officers and Standing Committees for the year 1897, reported a printed list, which was accepted, and it was voted that the Committee be continued and requested to nominate candidates in place of any who might decline before the election. The meeting was then dissolved. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, October 3, 1896. A Stated Meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, being the Annual Meeting for the choice of Officers and Standing Committees, was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. COMPENSATION OF COMMITTEES. 195 The Secretary stated that tlie meeting had been duly notified to the members of the Society, agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws. William H. Spooner, Chairman of the Nominating Committee, reported that that Committee had nominated Arthur H. Fewkes as a member of the Committee on Plants, in place of William Robin- son, deceased since the last meeting. The report was accepted. Agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws, the President appointed Azell C. Bowditch, Hon. Aaron Low, and A. A. Kingman a Committee to receive, assort, and count the votes given, and report the number. It was voted that the polls remain open two hours. The polls were opened at ten minutes past eleven o'clock. The President, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, presented tlie following report : At the meeting of the Society on the eleventh of July last, the construction of the vote establishing the compensation of Commit- tees was referred to the Executive Committee. Said vote was passed February 14, 1891, and is as follows : " One hundred dollars to each of the six Chairmen, and one dollar each for other members whenever they attend as required by the Schedule, an account to be kept by the Chairman." The Executive Committee report that this subject was brought to their attention at their meeting on the 2oth of January last, when they adopted the following vote : *' Voted, That in the opinion of the Executive Committee, the construction of the rule is that the one hundred dollars covers all remuneration to the Chairmen of those six Committees." The Executive Committee have now to report that at their last meeting, on the 25th of September, the subject was again carefully considered, and that they saw no reason to change the position taken on the 25th of January. The report was accepted and adopted. Joseph H. Woodford objected to the report, and wished his objection recorded. It is as follows : Bv vote of the Society at a previous meeting, voted to pay one hundred dollars for the services of the Chairmen of the working 196 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. Committees and one dollar for each committee man when called together by the chairmen. The Executive Committee have decided not to pay certain mem- bers of the Garden Committee for their services on that Committee, and I hereby object to that decision and enter at this time my protest. Joseph H. Woodford. Michael H. Norton announced the decease of William Robinson, and moved that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to prepare memorial resolutions. The motion was carried, and the Chair appointed as that Committee Frederick L. Harris, Michael H. Norton, and William J. Stewart. Tiie following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were on ballot duly elected : Carl Blomberg, of North Easton, HoLLis Webster, of Cambridge, James H. Dunlap, of Nashua, N. H., Otis E. Weld, of Boston, Edward J. Mitton, of Brookline, Matthew S. Higgins, of East Bridge water, Miss Alice B. Cary, of Lexington, Elihu G. Loomis, of Bedford, William S. H. Lotiirop, of Boston, Jerome Jones, of Brookline, CoL. Erederick Mason, of Taunton, Charles H. Moseley, of Dorchester, Charles U. Cotting, of Boston, Abner J. Moody, of Boston, Roland W. Toppan, of Maiden, Frederick Strong Moseley, of West Newbuiy, Henry Sturgis Grew, of Boston. The polls were closed at ten minutes past one o'clock, and the Committee to receive, assort, and count the votes, and report the number given, reported the whole number of votes cast to be seventy, and that the memliers named in the ticket reported by the Nominating Committee had a plurality of votes and were elected. MEMORIAL OF ANDREW S. FULLER. 197 The report of the Committee was accepted, and the persons named on the above mentioned ticket were, agreeabl}' to the Constitution and By-Laws, declared by the President to have a plurality of votes, and to be elected Officers and Standing Committees of the Society for the year 1897. Adjourned to Saturday, November 7. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, November 7, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H.'Apfleton, in the chair. O. B. Had wen, Chairman of a Committee appointed to prepare a memorial of Andrew S. Fuller, of Ridgewood, N. J., made the following report : In Memory of Andrew S. Fuller. By the death of Andrew S. Fuller, tliis Society has lost one of its most valued Corresponding Members, and horticulturists a brother who has devoted a long life to the advancement of both the science and the practice of their art. He was an enthusiast in promoting the cultivation of fruits ; and his published works were among the first containing elaborate experimental information relating to the propagation and cultivation of that extensive class commonly known as small fruits, and are justly recognized by the large class of growers engaged in that branch of horticulture as standard works. He has been the means of stimulating the vast cultivation pursued all over our country, and of elevating the industry to its present advanced standard. Mr. Fuller's work, " The Forest Tree Culturist," is a most valu- able acquisition to this branch of agricultural industry, at present in its infancy, but destined, as time goes on, to improve a vast area of land now comparatively worthless. This work has awakened a more general interest, which slowly but surely will benefit the whole country as well as those who are immediately engaged therein. Those of the Society who have personally known Mr. Fuller, and have seen him at the meetings of the American Pomological Society, when being held in Boston and 198 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. other cities, remember him as a gentleman of fine and cultivated personality, charnnug in conversation and anecdote, and abound- ing in those gentlemanh' qualities, gained during a long life among his trees, fruits, and flowers, which rendered him preeminently a benefactor to the horticultural age in which he lived. Though he has passed away, his works are still with us, to impart practical knowledge not only to the present generation of men, but to generations to come. We mourn his loss not only as a Corresponding Member of this Society, but as an experienced and valued contributor to the advancement of the science and art of Horticulture. His manifold ability and industry have placed him well in the lead of writers on horticultural subjects ; and the wide circulation of his books has made him justly renowned. He impressed one as a man who thoroughly understood and en- joyed horticultural life ; he was noted for his fondness for giving trees and plants to his friends, and for his readiness ever to extend a helping hand to all striving to advance in horticultural pursuits. Mr. Fuller was elected a Corresponding Member of this Society in 1869. His memorial is found in our Library not only in his own works, which he sent to it as they appeared, but in a copy of Gerard's "Herbal" presented by him. O. B. Hadwen, '\ J. Woodward Manning, > Committee. Robert Manning, ) The memorial was unanimously adopted, and it was ordered that it be entered on the records, and that a copy be sent to the family of Mr. Fuller. William J. Stewart, from the Committee to prepare a memorial of the late William Robinson, presented the following report: William Robinson came to this country in 1877, at the age of twenty-six, already favorably known for his skill in the higher branches of gardening, and at once assumed charge of the green- houses and grounds of the late Frederick L. Ames. Under his management the collection of rare Orchids in this place soon be- came well known, and at the time of his death, on the 16lh of September, 1896, it had attained the distinction of being the most extensive and valuable collection of the kind in America. MEMORIAL OF WILLIAM ROBIXSON. 199 From the first, Mr. Robinson manifested a lively interest in local horticultural matters. In the meetings and exhibitions of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society he found congenial sur- roundings. Ambitious, energetic, and impetuously enthusiastic, he quickly became influential among his brother gardeners, arous- ing life and activity in those with whom he came in contact, com- manding from all that respect to which he was entitled as a leader and expert in his profession, and from many of us a deep and tender appreciation of his sterling manly qualities, his generous, sympa- thetic nature, and his fidelity to every trust reposed in him. He became a member of this Society in October, 1883, but had already won many honors as a contributor to our exhibitions. The records of the Society show him to have won many Silver Medals and Certificates not only for Orchids, but for superior skill in the cultivation of ditHcult Stove Plants and Ferns. Many of the rarer Orchids, such as Phalcjenopsis grandijlora auna and Cupripedium insiy7ie Scniderce, were bloomed by him for the first time in Amer- ica, the latter having won the highest possible award, the Gold Medal of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Many beauti- ful seedluig Masdevallias, Cypripediums, and Cattleyas also attest his skill. For the last five years he had been a member of the Plant Committee. We, therefore, do hereby record our recognition of his inestima- ble services in the cause of horticulture ; of the honor and prestige which he was instrumental in bringing to this Horticultural Society ; of his worth as a citizen and his manliness of character, gratefully yet sadly adding his name to the lengthening list of those who, having each in his allotted sphere endeavored to perform faithfully his whole duty, now rest from their earthh' labors. Respectfully submitted by the Committee, Frederick L. Harris, \ Michael H. Norton, > Committee. William J. Stewart, ) This memorial also was unanimously adopted, and it was voted that it be entered on the records, and that a copy be sent to the family of Mr. Robinson. The President, as Chairman of the Executive Committee, re- 200 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ported a recommendation tliat the Society make the following appropriations for the year 1897, viz. : For Prizes and Gratuities : For Plants S2,000 " Flowers 2,600 " Frnits 1,800 " Vegetables 1,200 " Gardens 500 Total for Prizes and Gratuities for the year 1897 5,100 These amounts are the same as those for the year 1896, except that for Vegetables, to which $50 is added. The Executive Committee also recommended tlie following appropriations, all being the same as those for 1896 : For the Committee on Lectures and Publications, this sum to include the income of $50 from the John Lewis Russell Fund $300 For the Committee of Arrangements, this sum to cover all extraordinary expenses of said Committee . . 400 For the Library Committee, for the purchase of Magazines and Newspapers, Binding of Books, and Incidental Ex- penses of said Committee ...... 400 For the Committee on School Gardens and Children's Her- bariums, this sura to cover all Incidental Expenses of said Committee and to be paid through the usual chan- nels 250 This report was accepted, and, agreeably to the Constitution and By-Laws, was laid over for final action on the first Saturday in January next. The Executive Committee also reported a recommendation that the Society request the Vegetable Committee to exercise strict care in the exhibitions of Fungi, with special reference to those labelled "Edible." This recommendation was adopted. William J. Stewart presented the following vote : Voted, That the Vegetable Committee be requested to provide exhibition cards, distinctly colored (red or otherwise) and having REPORTS PRESENTED. 201 the word " Poisouous" plainly printed tliereon, and that exhibitors of Fnngi not known to be edible be required to use these cards in labelling all such exhibits when shown in Horticultural Hall. This vote was passed in the affirmative. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were upon ballot duly elected : Hon. Charles F. Sprague, of Brookline, George E. Stone, Professor of Botany in the Massa- chusetts Agricultural College, Amherst. Adjourned to Saturday, December 5. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, December 5, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The Annual Report of the Committee of Arrangements was read by Josepii H. Woodfoi'd. Chairman, accepted, and referred to the Committee on Publication. John G. Barker, Chairman of the Committee on Gardens, made a partial report from that Committee, being the awards of Prizes and Gratuities for the year, for which, he stated, there had been more competition than in most years. This report was also accepted and ordered to be placed on file. The Annual Report of the Library Committee was read by William E. Endicott, Chairman, accepted, and referred to the Committee on Publication. William J. Stewart, Chairman of the Committee on Establishing Prizes, presented the Schedule of Prizes for 1897, and explained the most important changes in the Rules and Regulations, and also in the offer of Prizes. This report was accepted, with the provision that a vote of the Society concerning special prizes offered by individuals be complied with, and that it then be printed as the Schedule of Prizes for the year 1897. J. Woodward Manning, Chairman of the Committee on Flowers, stated that the Annual Report of that Committee was ready, but 202 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. that he was unable to bring it with him, and would read it at the next meeting. The Secretary announced the death of Samuel G. Damon, and it was voted that a committee of three be appoiuted by the Chair to prepare a memorial. The Chair appointed as that Committee Benjamin G. Smith, E. W. Wood, and Charles F. Curtis. The President read the draft of a letter to the President-elect of the United States, concerning the appointment of the Secretary of Agriculture. It was unanimously voted that the letter he adopted as an expression of the views of the Society, and that the President be authorized to transmit it to the President-elect of the United States. The following named persons, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were on bal- lot duly elected : Hon. John Simpkins, of Yarraouthport, B. Preston Clark, of Cohasset, William V. Kellen, of Marion, John G. Wright, of Brookline, Miss Sarah L. Arnold, of Newton Centre, James C. Scorgie, of Cambridge, John W. Clark, of North Hadley. Adjourned to Saturday, December 12. BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, December 12, 1896. An adjourned meeting of the Society was holden at eleven o'clock. The President and Vice-Presidents being absent, the meeting was called to order by the Secretary, and Patrick Norton was chosen Chairman pro tern. The Annual Report of the Committee on Fruits was read by E. W. Wood, Chairman, accepted, and referred to the Committee on Publication. The Annual Report of the Committee on Plants was presented by Azell C. Bowditch, Chairman, but as he was suffering from a REPORTS PRESENTED. 203 severe cold be was excused from reading it, and it was referred to the Committee ou Publication. J. Woodward Manning presented his report as Chairman of the Committee on Flowers. John G. Barker presented bis i-eport as Chairman of tlie Com- mittee on Gardens. A portion of each of these reports was read, and they were then severally referred to the Committee on Publication. Robert Manning read his Annual Report as Secretary and Librarian, which was accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication. The following vote, moved by Joseph H. Woodford, was passed : Voted, That the President instruct the Treasurer to pay all warrants issued or to be issued by the Chairmen of the various Committees to all persons serving ou a Committee, irrespective of whether they are Chairmen of other Committees or not. Henry L. Clapp, Chairman of the Committee on School Gar- dens and Children's Herbariums, read the Annual Report of that Committee, which was accepted and referred to the Committee on Publication. The meeting was then dissolved. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PLANTS, FOB THE YEAR 1896. By AZELL C. BOWDITCH, Chairman. The exhibitions for the past year have shown a marked improve- ment, both in the number of exhibitors and also in the skill and care bestowed on the cultivation of the plants shown. The capacity of our halls has been severely taxed at our larger shows, your Committee being obliged to crowd the large collec- tions to an extent which greatly injured the effect of many of the collections and specimens exliibited ; but as this matter is in com- petent hands we trust in the near future to find ourselves in more commodious quarters. Your Committee take this opportunity to mention some of the most worthy exhibits during the season : The first exhibition was held on the 11th of January, when William Thatcher and D. F. Roy showed some fine plants of an improved strain of Chinese Primrose. On the 1st of February Robert Cameron (gardener at the Botanic Garden of Harvard University) exhibited a fine plant of Angrce- cum sesquipechde with twenty-five flowers, which was the admira- tion of everyone. SPRING EXHIBITION. March 24, 25, 26, and 27. During this exhibition the weather was extremely cold, which deterred the orchid growers, whose displays have added so much to these occasions in the i)ast, from bringing in their plants, and the REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS. 205 abscDce of Cinerarias was also noticeable. Yet, with all these draw- backs, the show was pronounced to be the finest yet given b}' the Society at this time of the year. First and best were the Cycla- mens, of which there were nearly two hundred pots shown. Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney (John Barr, gardener) had about seventy- five plants, on several of which were blooms measuring five inches from tip to tip ; this lot was awarded the first prize. A close competitor was Nathaniel T. Kidder (William J. Martin, gar- dener), who was awarded the second prize. Undoubtedly a great attraction was Jackson Dawson's Crimson Rambler Rose ; to describe the beauty of this plant, with its thousands of brilliant flowers, would be almost impossible ; some of the trusses carried as many as forty flowers and buds. Your Committee deemed this a great acquisition, and awarded Mr. Dawson the Society Silver Medal. MAY EXHIBITION. May 2. This brought a fine display' of Calceolarias, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney staging twenty-six plants, all well flowered. Elisha S. Converse's plants showed quite a novel range of color ; the indi- vidual blooms were of enormous size, and the foliage was very fine. Nathaniel T. Kidder had on exhibition a plant of Bougain- villcea Sanderiana fully six feet through, for which a Silver Medal was awarded. A fine specimen of Boronia elatior, fully six feet high, from the conservatories of Dr. C. G. Weld (Kenneth Fin- layson, gardener), attracted a great deal of attention. ROSE AND STRAWBERRY EXHIBITION. June 23 and 24. This brought a magnificent display of Orchids from the conser- vatories of E. V. R. Thayer (E. O. Orpet, gardener). Seldom do we see such well grown and well flowered Cattleyas and Odonto- glossums. John L. Gardner (W. Thatcher, gardener) was repre- sented by a fine group, and also W. P. Winsor (P. Murray, gardener), a new contributor. Nathauiel T. Kiilder also exhibited a plant of Schondmrgkia tibicinis, the gay-colored flowers of which attracted much attention. 206 . MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. August 15 we had from the Botanic Garden of Harvard Uni- versity (Robert Cameron, gardener) a new greenhouse plant, Angelonia angustifoliu, from seed gathered in New Mexico; the flowers are a light violet blue, and are borne in the axils of the leaves, the plants being small. Your Committee thought that another season and further development would enable them to judge better of its value. For the present they give it Honorable Mention. ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. September 2 and 3. At this exhibition J. W. Manning made an exhibit of Hardy Coniferous Trees, among them being some new and I'are varieties, which made quite an attractive display at the entrance to the halls ; George A. Nickerson and Jason S. Bailey exhibited tine collec- tions of greenhouse plants, which showed what good care and a thorough knowledge can do ; their displays were, in the opinion of your Committee, among the best ever made. September 19 J. W. Manning exhibited some plants of the new Caryopteris Mastacanthus (Blue Spiraea) ; it is perfectly hardy ; flowers blue, borne in clusters at the axils of the leaves, making a hardy shrub which must be a great acquisition ; it was awarded the Society's Silver Medal. CHRYSANTHEMUM EXHIBITION. November 10, 11, 12, and 13. November 10 ushered in the Chrysanthemum Exhibition, which was without doubt the finest ever staged in America ; the average high quality of the exhibit was remarkable. The three principal exhibitors for the twelves were : Nathaniel T. Kidder (William J. Martin, gardener), Walter Hunnewell (T. D. Hatfield, gardener), and Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney (John Barr, gardener). They took prizes in tlie order named. Mr. Kidder's excelled in general effect; bis plants were very even, and the foliage was excellent. Mr. Hunnewell's were not so regular ; but two of them, W. H. Lincoln and Garza, were certainly the two finest specimens that ever entered the hall. Mrs. Cheney's plants were perfect KEPOUT OF COMMITTEE OX PLANTS. 207 models, regular and dwarf, but suffered iu general effect. The groups in the centre of the hall, arranged for general effect with palms and foliage plants, gave the competitors a chance to show their taste and skill in tiie arrangement, and quite put your Com- mittee on their mettle before they could come to a decision. Amount appropriated for 1896 .... $2,000 00 Amount awarded in Prizes and Gratu- ities SI, 921 00 Balance unexpended . . . . 79 00 2,000 00 All of which is respectfully submitted. A. C. BOWDITCH, \ James Comkky, ^ CovciaiW-c James Wheeler, ) 208 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR PLANTS. 1896. January 11. Chinese Primroses. — Six plants, in six-inch pots, John L. Gardner, .$5 00 Second, Elislia S. Converse 4 00 Third, John L. Gardner 3 00 Gratuity : — "Walter Hunnewell (T. D. Hatfield, gardener), Lachenalias . . 2 00 February 1. Freesias. — Six pots, the second prize to the Bussey Institution . 4 00 Gratuities : — David Nevins, Twelve Violets in ten-inch pots 5 00 Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Collection of Freesias and Strobilanthes 4 00 Walter E. Coburn, Twelve Chinese Primroses 2 00 Richard T. Lombard, Violets 1 00 February 8. Gratuities : — James Comley, Epacris 1 00 Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Platyclinis glnmacea . . 1 00 February 15. Gratuity : — Walter Hunnewell, Impatiens, Begonias, and Coleus . . . 2 00 February 29. Grattiity : — James Comley, Cypripedium 3 00 SPRING EXHIBITION. March 24, 25, 26, and 27. Theodore Lyman Fund. Indian Azaleas. — Six distinct named varieties in pots, Bussey In- stitution 30 00 Second, James Comley 20 00 Society's Prizes. Indian Azaleas. — Four distinct varieties in not exceeding ten-inch pots, Bussey Institution 12 00 Second, Bussey Institution 10 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS. 209 Two distinct named varieties, Dr. C. G. Weld . . . . 6 00 Second, Bussey Institution ........ 4 00 Specimen plant, named, Norton Brothers . . . . . 8 00 Second, Bussey Institution ....... 6 00 Single plant of any named variety, in not exceeding an eight-incli pot, Dr. C. G. Weld . . 5 00 Second, Bussey Institution ....... 4 00 Ericas. — Six, not less than three species, Bussey Institution . 6 00 Hardy Orchids. — Collection in pans or pots, forced, Bussey Insti- tution 2 00 Second, Bussey Institution ........ 1 00 Stove or Greenhouse Plants. — Specimen in bloom, other than Azalea or Orchid, Dr. C. G. Weld 8 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse 6 00 Hard-wooded Greenhouse Plants. — Four in bloom, Dr. C. G. Weld ..." 10 00 Hybrid Perpetual Roses. — Forced, six plants in pots, not less than three distinct varieties, James Comley . . . . 5 00 Second, James Comley ........ 4 00 Forced Hardy Herbaceous Plants and Shrubs. — The second prize to the Bussey Institution . . . . . . 15 00 Hardy Flowering Dkciduous Shrubs, Forced. — Four, of four distinct species, Bussey Institution ... ... 8 00 Second, Bussey Institution ....... 6 00 Third, Bussey Institution ........ 4 00 Hardy Flowering Evergreen Shrubs, Forced. — Four, of four distinct species, Bussey Institution ... . . . 8 00 Hardy Primroses and Polyanthuses. — Twelve plants of distinct varieties, John L. Gardner .... ... 8 00 Second, Dr. C. G. Weld 6 00 Third, David Nevins 4 00 Auriculas. — Six, in pots. Dr. C. G. Weld 3 00 Cyclamens. — Ten plants in bloom, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney . 15 00 Second, Nathaniel T. Kidder 12 00 Third, Mrs. B. P. Cheney 10 00 Fourth, Mrs. B. P. Cheney 8 00 Ten plants in bloom, in not over seven-inch pots, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney 8 00 Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney . ... . . 6 00 Third, Nathaniel T. Kidder 4 00 Single plant in bloom, Nathaniel T. Kidder 5 00 Second, David Nevins ........ 4 00 Cinerarias. — Six varieties, John L. Gardner JO 00 Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney 8 00 Third, Jason S. Bailey 6 00 Fourth, Bussey Institution . . .... 4 00 210 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Tliree varieties, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Second, John L. Gardner . Tliird, Elisha S. Converse . Single plant, John L. Gardner Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Third, Elisha S. Converse . 6 00 o 00 4 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 Spring Flotvering Bulbs. Hyacinths. — Twelve distinct named varieties, in pots, one in each pot, John L. Gardner ........ Second, Bussey Institution ........ Third, Dr. C. G. Weld Six distinct named varieties, in pots, one in each pot, Dr. C. G. Weld • Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... Third, Bussej Institution Three distinct named varieties, in pots, one in each pot. Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Elisha S. Converse Third, Bussey Institution ........ Single named bulb, in pot, Miss Mary S. Walker .... Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Three pans, not to exceed twelve inches, twelve bulbs of one va- riety in each pan, Miss M. S. Walker Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, John L. Gardner Two pans, not to exceed twelve inches, ten bulbs of one variety in each pan, Elisha S. Converse Second, Bussey Institution ....... Third, Miss M. S. Walker Single pan, not to aitceed ten inches, ten bulbs of one variety, Bussey Institution ......... Second, Miss M. S. Walker Third, Elisha S. Converse Tdlips. — Six eight-inch pans, nine bulbs of one variety in each, Warren Ewell & Son 4 00 Three eight-inch pans, nine bulbs of one variety in each, Warren Ewell & Son 3 00 Three ten-inch pans, twelve bulbs of one variety in each, Miss M. S. Walker 5 00 Second, Warren Ewell & Son 4 00 Polyanthus Narcissus. — Four seven-inch pots, three bulbs in each, distinct varieties, Dr. C. G. Weld . . . . 6 00 Jonquils. — Six six-inch pots or pans, the number of bulbs in each to be at the discretion of the grower, Bussey Institution . 4 00 Second, Dr. C. G. Weld 3 00 Third, Warren Ewell & Son 2 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 2 00 1 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS. 211 Narcissuses. — Six eight-inch pans, distinct varieties, single or double, Warren Ewell & Son ....... Second, Bussey Institution ....... Three eight-inch pans, Warren Ewell & Son .... Second, Bussey Institution ....... LiLiUM Harrisii. — Six pots, not exceeding ten inches, Elislia S. Converse .......... Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney . . . . Lily of the Valley. — Six six-inch pots, Bussey Institution Second, Warren Ewell & Son Tiiird, Warren Ewell & Son Anemones. — Three pots or pans, Bussey Institution Ereesias. — Six pots or pans, Bussey Institution . . . . Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, John L. Gardner IxiAS AND Tritonias — Six pots or pans, in varieties, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Roman Hyacinths. — Six eight-inch pans, ten bulbs in each, War- ren Ewell & Son ......... General Display of Spring Bulbs. — All classes, Bussey Insti- tution ........... Warren Ewell & Son Gratuities : — H. H. Rogers, Cyclamen and Cinerarias . Dr. C. G. Weld, Acacia pubescens Edward Butler, Dendrobium .... Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, Display of Cyclamens James Comley, Forced Roses .... David Nevins, Display of Violets Dr. C. G. Weld, Display James Comley, Display ..... 5 00 4 00 4 00 3 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 00 15 00 12 00 7 00 6 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 4 00 5 00 5 00 April II. Gratuities : — James Comley, Display of Azaleas . Edward Butler, " " Orchids . 5 00 4 00 April 18. Gratuity : — Fred W. Fletcher, Justicia carnea . 1 00 April 25. Gratuity : — James Comley, Seedling Azalea 2 00 212 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. MAY EXHIBITION. May 2. Pelargoniums. — Six named Show or Fancy varieties, in not less than eight-inch pots, in bloom, Nathaniel T. Kidder Indian Azaleas. — Six plants, in pots, named. Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Single specimen, Dr. C. G. Weld .... Second, James Comley ..... Calceolarias. — Six varieties, in pots, Mrs. Benjamin P Second, Elisha S. Converse .... Third, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Fourth, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Single plant, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Streptocarpcs. — Six pots. Dr. C. G. Weld . Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Gratuities : — Dr. C. G. Weld, Display of Boronia elatior Dr. C. G. Weld, Display .... Cheney 6 00 5 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 8 00 7 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 3 00 June 4. Gratuities : — John L. Gardner, Collection of Orchids . Oakes Ames, Dendrohium thyrsiflorum, 10 00 2 00 ROSE AND STRAWBERRY SHOW. June 23 and 24. Hard-wooded Greenhouse Plants. — Three, of three distinct named varieties, in bloom, John L. Gardner . . . . 8 00 Orchids. — Six plants, of six named varieties, in bloom, E. V. K. Thayer 25 00 Second, John L. Gardner . . . . . . . . 15 00 Three plants, of three named varieties, in bloom, John L. Gardner 15 00 Second, E. V. R. Thayer . . . . . . . . 10 00 Single specimen, named, E. V. R. Thayer . . . . . 8 00 Second, John L. Gardner ........ 6 00 Tuberous Begonias. — Six pots, of six varieties. Dr. C. G. Weld, G 00 Gratuities : — W. P. Winsor, Collection of Orcliids 10 00 Norton Brothers, Palms 2 00 PKIZES AND GRATUITIES FOE PLANTS. 213 Jl-lt 18. AcHiMENES. — Six, in not over eight-incli pans or pots, of six varieties, Dr. C. G. Weld 5 00 August 1. Gratuity : — Bussey Institution, Display of Hydrangeas . . . . . 8 00 August 8. Gratuities : — James E. Rotlnvell, Display of Orchids . . . . . . 4 00 Mrs. P. D. Richards, Plants 2 00 ANNUAL EXHIBITION. September 2 and 3. Hardy Coniferous Trees. — Not Natives of New England, Display in puts and tubs, named, J. W. Manning . . . . 25 00 Palms. — Pair, in pots or tubs not more than twenty-four inches in diameter. Dr. C. G. Weld 12 00 Second, J. W. Howard 8 00 Pair, in pots not more than fourteen inches in diameter, John L. Gardner 8 00 Second, J. W. Howard 6 00 Greenhouse Plants. — Collection, containing Foliage Plants of all descriptions, not to exceed forty plants, in pots or tubs, George A. Nickerson . . . . . . . . 40 00 Second, Jason S. Bailey 30 00 Six Greenhouse or Stove Plants, of different named varieties, two Crotons admissible, Nathaniel T. Kidder . . . . 2.5 00 Second, John L. Gardner 20 00 Third, Dr. C. G. Weld 15 00 Single plant for table decoration, in a twelve-inch pan or basket, dressed at the base with living plants only, only one entry admissible, George A. Nickerson . ..... 8 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse . 6 00 Third, John Jeffries 4 00 Specimen Flowering Plant. — Single named variety, Joseph H. White 8 00 Second, Joseph H. Wliite 6 00 Fuchsias. — Six, in not over ten-inch pots, .Joseph H. White . . 12 00 Second, Nathaniel T. Kidder 10 00 Ornamental Leaved Plants. — Six named varieties, Crotons and Dracaenas not admissible, Dr. C. G. Weld . . . . 15 00 Second, Joseph H. White 12 00 Third, John L. Gardner 10 00 214 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Jose pli H six feet i Single specimen, variegated, named, not offered in any collection, George A. Nickerson ..... Second, Nathaniel T. Kidder .... Third, Joseph H. White Caladiums. —Six named varieties. Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Nathaniel T. Kidder .... Fkrns. — Six named varieties, no Adiantums admissible. White Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Specimen, other than Tree Fern, Elisha S. Converse Second, George A. Nickerson .... Tree Fekn. — Single specimen, named, not less than height, George A. Nickerson .... Second, John L. Gardner ..... Adiantums. — Five named varieties, George A. Nickerso Second, Joseph H. White ..... Lycopods. — Four named varieties, Nathaniel T. Kidder Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Drachmas. — Six named varieties, George A. Nickerson Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Crotons. — Six, named, in not less than eight-inch pots Weld Second, Dr. C G. Weld Cycad. — Single plant, named, J. W. Howard Second, Elisha S. Converse .... Orchids. — Three plants, named varieties, in bloom, the second prize to James E. Rothwell .... Begonia Rex. — Six pots, of six varieties, James L. Littl Second, James L. Little ..... Tuberous Begonias. — Six pots, of six varieties, James Second, James L. Little ..... Ouvirandra Fenestralis. — E. S. Converse . Dr. L. L C. G tik 5 00 4 00 3 00 6 00 4 00 10 00 8 00 4 00 3 00 10 00 8 00 8 00 5 00 5 00 4 00 8 00 fi 00 10 00 8 00 10 00 8 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 6 00 4 00 8 00 Gratuities : — John Jeffries, Collection of Ferns J. W. Howard, Collection of Palms . Jason S. Bailey, Dipladenia amabilis Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Di Joseph H. White, Display John L. Gardner, " J. W. Howard, " . . iplay 8 00 5 00 5 00 50 00 10 00 5 00 3 00 October I. Gratuity : — Jason S. Bailey, Collection of Orchids 4 00 PEIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR PLANTS. 215 October 31. Gratuity : — Oakes Ames, Stanhopea ocidata. 2 00 CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. November 10, 11, 12, and 13. Chrysanthemums. — Display of twelve named plants, any or all classes, distinct varieties, Nathaniel T. Kidder Second, Walter Hunnewell ....... Third, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney ...... Twelve plants of twelve different varieties, grown to one stem and bloom, in not over six-inch pots, preference being given to plants not more than three feet in height, Samuel J. Trepess, Second, James L. Little ........ Third, Dr. C. G. Weld Fourth, J. W. Howard Red, six plants, grown as above, but all of one color and of different varieties, James L. Little ....... Second. Dr. C G. Weld Third, Donald McRea White, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, James L. Little ........ Third, Elisha S. Converse Pink, James L. Little ......... Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, Elisha S. Converse Yellow, James L. Little ........ Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, Donald McRea Six Reflexed, distinct named varieties, Mrs. Benjamin Cheney Specimen Incurved, named variety, Nathaniel T. Kidder Second, Nathaniel Kidder ........ Specimen Reflexed, named variety, Walter Hunnewell . Second, C. W. Hubbard Third, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney ...... Specimen Pompon, named variety, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Group of plants arranged for effect, limited to one hundred and fifty square feet, preference being given to collections with palms or other foliage added, A. W. Blake Second, Dr. C. G. Weld . Third, J. W. Howard Fourth, Elisha S. Converse Fifth, James Comley . Gratuities : — Mrs. B. P. Cheney, Display of Adiantvm Farleyense Walter Hunnewell, Display of Chrysanthemums 50 00 40 00 30 00 10 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 20 00 6 00 5 00 6 00 5 00 4 00 4 00 45 00 40 00 35 00 30 00 25 00 15 00 8 00 216 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. SOCIETY'S SILVER MEDALS. February I. Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Angrcecum sesquipedale. March 7. VV. P. Winsor, Cattleya TriancB, var. alba. Spring Exhibition, March 24-27. Jackson Dawson, Crimson Rambler Rose. " " " " Dr. C. G. Weld, Acacia Drummondii. April 4. Nathaniel T. Kidder, Cattleya intermedia. May Exhibition, May 2. Nathaniel T. Kidder, Bougainvillcsa glabra var. Sande7-iana. May 23. John L. Gardner, Display of Orchids. June 4. James Comley, New White Hydrangea. Annual Exhibition, September 2 and 3. Jason S. Bailey, Maranta roseo- lineata. " " " ♦' George Marston Whitin, Cala- dium argy rites, C. minus var. erubescens, and Dipladenia splendens, var. profusa. September 18. J. W. Manning, Caryopteris Mastacanthus . November 28. J. E. Rothwell, Oypripedium insigne var. Ernestii. APPLETON SILVER MEDAL. July IL Nathaniel T. Kidder, Adamia versicolor. FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATES OF MERIT. Spring Exhibition, March 24-27. J. F. Hess, Streptocarpus Wendlandii. April 25. R. & J. Farquhar, Spiraea Anthony Waterer. June 4. Oakes Ames, Gypripedium Sargentianum. Annual Exhibition, September 2 and 3. J. W. Howard, Asparagus Sprengeli. October 1. Oakes Ames, Collection of Cypripediums. HONORABLE MENTION. Sprtng Exhibition, March 24-27. J. F. Hess, Adiantum ^^thiopicum. Rose and Strawberry Show, June 23 and 24. W. A. Manda, South Orange, N. J., Rosa Wichuraiana. " " " " " " Nathaniel T. Kidder, Schom- burgkia tibicinis. August 15. Botanic Garden of Harvard \]n\viivs\ty, Angelonia angiistifolia. Chrysanthemum Show, November 10-13. Dr. C. G. Weld, Browallia spe- ciosa var. major. COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES. April 25. R. & J. Farquhar, Silene pendiila var. Amalia. May 23. Ernest G. Buttrick, Cypripedium arietiiium. Rose and Strawberry Show, June 23 and 24. E. V. R. Thayer, Odontoglos- sum, crispum var. REPOET COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS, FOR THE TEAR 1896. By J. WOODWARD MANNING, Chairman. The past season lias been remarkable in many respects : unusnal weather conditions have prevailed, and as a consequence the exhibits were affected to a greater or less extent. The result was the retarding of many flowers in the early part of the summer; while in late summer and early autumn continued rains very seriously interfered with their perfection. On the whole, however, the exhibits have been exceedingly satisfactory throughout the year, and I believe that there has been a larger number of exhibitors than heretofore. This has been partic- ularly noticeable from having drawn very severely upon the appropriation allowed the Committee for awarding gratuities in accordance with the respective merits of the exhibits. Several of the exhibitors have made interesting displays at most of the Saturday and regular exhibitions. These displays have not only been exceedingly creditable to the exhibitors, but have greatly improved the general effect of the hall. The Committee are, however, of the opinion that there has been more negligence in the matter of naming exhibits that are shown for gratuities alone than has been the case in the past, and they have made recommendations to the Committee for Establishing Prizes which it is hoped will obviate this difficulty in the future. Exhibitions for gratuities commenced on the 4th of January, 218 M ASS ACHL! SETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. with a choice collection of Chinese Pfimioses from Walter E. Coburn, Freesias from Mrs. E. M. Gill, and Camellias and Orchids from James Comley and E. Sheppard & Son. Jauuar}' 11 a very creditable display was made by several parties, and choice Carnations were exhibited. David Nevins made a very interesting display of Violets, through his gardener, Alex- ander McKay, and Camellias were shown in specimen blooms by James Comley. The following Saturday W. E. Coburn displayed an unusually large and fine collection of single cut blooms of Chinese Primroses, arranged in the Society's flat dishes. These were shown with a view of emphasizing their great improvement of late years in the range of color, size of bloom, and breadth and fimbriation of petals. • At the regular exhibition, February 1, David Nevins exhibited Violets wliich excited unusual comment. Carnations were very fully shown, of which William C. Ward, of Queens, N. Y., ex- hibited two large vases of Meteor and Bridesmaid, both of which were deemed worthy of Honorable Mention by your Committee. Camellias were staged in great variety of size and color, and the display of other cut flowers was large. At each Saturday following, until the Spring Exhibition, liberal displays were made, the principal exhibitors being Oakes Ames, James Comley, and Mrs. E. M. Gill. March 14, David Nevins showed some remarkably fine forced Hybrid Perpetual Roses, and H. H. Huunewell some new seedling Amaryllises, which excited much admiration. SPRING EXHIBITION. March 24, 25, 26, and 27. At this exhibition most of the prizes were closely competed for, the display of Roses being particularly noteworthy and drawing forth much praise from an appreciative public. A vase of American Beauty Roses from Charles V. AVbitten was the centre of attraction in the hall ; they were remarkable for size of flower, length of stem, excellence of foliage, and keeping quality. William H. Elliott displayed several magnificent vases of Hoses, which, in the general opinion of your Committee, had REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS. 219 never been excelled by any exhibitor at the hall. There were no exhibitors of the Belle Siebrecht and Perle des Jardins Roses. The Carnation prizes were very freely competed for, William Nicholson being the principal exhibitor and carrying off several of the first prizes. The usual difficulty of maintaining Carnations in perfect condition for several days was encountered at this time, and as a result it was necessary for the Committee to make some changes in the final awards, where parties were negligent in the matter of renewing their exhibitions. Pansies were shown in great variety by Hon. Joseph S. P'ay, and the Violet prizes were competed for by David Nevins, William C. Winter, and Harry S. Rand. Camellias were shown bj' Joseph H. White and James Comley. The increased number of exhibitions of Camellias was evidence of the renewed interest in this valuable class of late winter blooming plants ; with a closer regard to the improvement of the fimbriated varieties it would seem that the class would regain something of its previous foothold in public estimation. James Comley displayed two pans of Rhododendron VeitcJiianvm, with flowers of immaculate whiteness — large, fragrant, and of good keeping quality. This valuable winter blooming Rhododendron has been shown for several seasons past by the same exhibitor, and its great apparent value would seem to recommend it to others for cultivation. Displays of flowers were made at this time b}^ Mrs. E. M. Gill, James Comley, and Oakes Ames. April 4, James Comley exhibited forced Chinese Wistarias and made a large display of cut Roses. David Nevins staged Roses and Orchids. April 11, Mrs. P. D. Richards made the fiist display of native plants ; at this date the usual exhibits of cut flowers were made by other exhibitors. MAY EXHIBITION. May 2. Tulips were not competed for at this exhibition. This, we be- lieve, has been the case for one or two seasons back. It seems a pity that large exhibitions are not made of this valuable class of bulbs, as they could be shown to great advantage and would lend additional interest and variety to the show. Hardy Narcissuses were shown very creditably by Dr. C. G. Weld and the Bussey 220 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Institution. Hon. Joseph S. Fay carried off all three prizes for Pansies by a most remarkable display comprising a marvellous range and combination of coloring and great size of individual blooms. Native plants were shown in great variety by Mrs. P. D. Richards, Miss Genevieve Doran, Misses Eleanor and Mollie Doran, and Oakes Ames. There was no competition with Herbaceous Plants for either of the scheduled prizes, but the Botanic Garden of Harvard University took up a large portion of one side of the hall with an extremely interesting exhibit. Messrs R. and J. Farquhar & Company made a small exhibit of flowers of the new Canna Italia, for which a Complimentary Notice was awarded by the Committee. RHODODENDRON SHOW. June 4 and 5. At this show the competition for prizes was very close, the princi- pal exhibitors being James Comley, John L. Gardner, and Samuel Trepess. There were not as many competitors as usual, mainly owing to the fact that the plants had received serious iujury from the past very severe winter. The exhibits that were made were very creditable, and the general displays made by Jarnes Comley and H. H. Hunnewell occupied a large portion of the hall and attracted great attention. Azaleas were shown in great variety, and Her- baceous Paeouies were displayed by John L. Gardner and George Hollis. Clematises and Hardy Flowering Trees and Shrubs were not shown as well as usual. Herbaceous Plants were competed for, for the first time at this exhibition. Native Plants were present in large variety-, and attracted much attention from the public. The exhil)ition on June 13 proved to be one of the most note- worthy of the season ; Herbaceous Paeonies, Oriental Poppies, and Aquilegias were the principal flowers exhibited. Herbaceous PiKonies were shown in great variety by Thomas C. Thurlow and others, and a marked improvement in the cultivation of the flowers exhibited was noticdi. This proves the great interest that is being taken in Pseanies in general ; the flowers showed a wonder- ful range of coloring, size, and perfection of bloom, and many varieties were noteworthy for their fragrance. The increased size of the exhibits has made it advisable in the oi)inion of the REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS. 221 Committee that a regular Paeony Exhibition be scheduled, with an increase in the amount of the prizes, as it would seem that Paeonies should have a merited recognition with Rhododendrons and Roses. Jackson Dawson exhibited a collection of new seed- ling Roses, hybrids of Eosa muUiJlora, all of which were particu- larly interesting ; they comprised a variety of color and size of bloom, iu very small double flowers arranged in dense panicles, and your Committee awarded the Society's Silver Medal for the display. Another Society's Silver Medal was awarded the same skilful cultivator for a new Hybrid Rose, a cross between Rosa Wichnraiana and General Jacqueminot ; and Honorable Mention was given him for a new seedling Double White Rose originating from the Boston Belle. ROSE AND STRAWBERRY EXHIBITION. June 23 and 24. The prizes for Roses called forth a close competition by a large number of exhibitors, and the quality of tlie individual blooms has never been surpassed. Hon. Joseph S. Fay was the largest exhibitor, and carried off many first prizes ; the quality and variety of his flowers was an ample testimonial to the extent of his collection and the skill of his gardener, M. H. Walsh. Most of the prizes scheduled were competed for, and altogether the exhibition proved very satisfactory. Polyantha Roses, however, did not receive the attention which we hoped would be given them. At this exhibition, John Jeffries made a display of Japanese Paeonies which was particularly unique, and received the Society's Silver JNIedal. The display consisted of very finely formed single flowered varieties, and others with broad overlapping guard petals and a ball of numerous narrow, twisted, golden and variegated petals in the centre. At this display, also, a First Class Certificate was awarded to Hon. Joseph S. Fay for his new Rose, Lillian Noi'dica. On the following Saturday, a very large exhibit of Roses was made, occupying a considerable portion of the lower hall. Iris Kcemjiferi, Lilium candidmn, and Hardy Carnations were very little shown at this date. In the case of Iris Kcempferi it was due to the flowers not being in perfection at that time. The Botanic 222 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Garden of Harvard University made a very large display of Hardy Herbaceous Perennials, occupying the entire riglit-hand side of the lower hall, and M. H. Walsh, gardener to Hon. Joseph S. Fay, displayed a new seedling Rose named " Joseph S. Fay," for which the Society awarded Honorable Mention. Hollyhocks were so seriously injured by the past winter that no display was made on the regular prize day (July 11) ; indeed this flower seemed to have suffered more severely than for many previous seasons. Native Plants continued to be a feature throughout the balance of the season, and the competition being close it was difficult for your Committee to decide awards, and we would repeat the sug- gestion made by the Chairman of the Flower Committee of last year, which is : That we believe it to be unjust in some respects to both Committee and Exhibitors, to ask the regular Flower Com- mittee to judge botanical collections of Native Plants, as it would be far better in our estimation for a competent botanist or Com- mittee of botanists to jndge upon these exhibits. We are very glad to note that a skilled botanist has been added to our Com- mittee this season, as this will largely obviate the difficulty men- tioned. July 18, Gloxinias and Tuberous Begonias were shown in variety, and the prize for Hardy Ferns was closely competed for. drawing out some very noteworthy exhibitions. On this day Hon. Joseph S. Fay made a very large display of Hollyhocks, Phloxes, Roses, and Delphiniums, and Hon. Johu Simpkins (James Brydon, gardener) made a remarkable exhibition of Aquatic Plants which excited great admiration. Arthur E. French exhibited at the same time a collection of Grasses and Sedges which was very interesting. July 25, Sweet Peas were shown in great perfection, and the Botanic Garden of Harvard University made a display of Herba- ceous Plants, probably the largest ever seen in the hall, for which your Committee awarded the Society's Silver Medal. August 8 brought forth the largest display of Annuals that has been seen in the hall for many years. The Society's prizes were generously competed for, and in addition to this the Botanic Garden of Harvard University made a special display of Annuals which occupied an entire side of the hall, comprising the most remarkable variety and arranged in a most effective manner, and REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FLOAVERS. 223 for which a Society's Silver Medal was awarded. At this date Dahlias were first shown, and continued to be an interesting feat- ure of the display until the end of their season. The new Double Rudbeckia {K. laciniata var. Golden Glow), a very choice new Hardy Herbaceous Perennial, growing six to seven feet high, form- ing a broad, sturdy bush with a great profusion of very double bright yellow flowers on long clean stems, was shown simultaneously by Rea Brothers and Jacob W. Manning, to both of whom First Class Certificates were awarded therefor. Henry A. Dreer, of Philadel- phia, stnged a new variety of Nelumbiura, named Shiroman, of the purest white, for which a First Class Certificate was awarded ; also the new Nymphrea, O'Marana, of which Honorable Mention was made. The display of Gladioli did not come up to the standard of past seasons, probabl}' owing to conditions of the weather. The prizes for Annual Asters were competed for on the twenty- second of August in several classes, but ortiug to the weather and insect depredations the display was not as large as in past seasons. L. W. Goodell made a display of Druramond Phlox which wos re- markable for the variety of colors shown and the range in size and form of ihe flowers ; also a very creditable display of Salpi- glossis. A tank of foliage and flowers of the Nehunhium luteum was shown by J. Woodward Manning from a native locality ; these attracted much attention. ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. September 2 and 3. The exhibition was particularly noteworthy for its display of Aquatics, of which John Simpkins and Oakes Ames were the prin- cipal exhibitors. Dahlias also were a prominent feature of the exhibition, and excited much rivalry among the exhibitors. Cannas were freely shown, but it was justly remarked that these are better exhibited as plants than displayed as cut flowers, from the fuga- ciousness of their petalage. Oakes Ames (Carl Blomberg, gar- dener) exhibited a new Nymphaea, a cross between Nymj)h(jea Zanzibarensis and its variety rosea, named Mrs. Anna C. Ames, the flowers of which were amaranth crimson with the base of the petals shaded to pure white, for whi(;h your Committee awarded a First Chiss Certificate of Merit. To Miss Eliza Wellington, of East Lexington, a First Class Certificate of Merit was awarded 224 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETT. for superior cultivation and exhibition of CliantJuis Dampferi^ and to J. F. Huss a First Class Certificate of Merit was awarded for Fennisetiim Eujypellii, a new annual grass resembling a miniature Eulalia, but with long, close feathery blooms, of a showy purplish tinge, being closely allied to Squirrel Grass. Honorable Mention was also granted James Coraley for a new Perennial Pea, a cross between Lathyrus latifolius and L. odoratua. October 16, Hon. John Simpkius made a display of early Chrys- anthemums, and a special vase of the Chrysanthemum Mrs. Henry Robinson, for which a First Class Certificate of Merit was awarded. Tliis white variety seems remarkable for its large flowers, purity of color, and earliness. CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. November 10, 11, 12, and 13. The Chrysanthemum Show was a success in every sense of the word. The marvellous size and perfection of the flowers shown gave sure proof of the excellence of their culture. Competition was close, rendering the matter of jadgment on the part of the Committee diflficult. The principal exhibitors were Hon. John Simpkius, Joseph H. White, Charles Souther, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, W. Slack, J. W. Howard, and the Waban Conservatories. In cut single blooms, Mr. Simpkins's display was marvellous, one flower being noted with a circumference of twenty-five inches. The vases of ten blooms each were shown to the greatest advantage by the Waban Conservatories. The display for effect, in the Society's large vases, was particularly interesting, and the prizes were very closely competed for. Tliere seems to be no lack of interest shown in the culture of the Chrysanthemum, and it was the general opinion of the Committee that competition was as close as in any previous year. In the new seedlings, J. Ealon, jr., carried off the prize for the best pink variety with Quissett, and for a white variety' with Nonqnit. Joseph H. Wliite received the first prize for the new silvery pink incurved variety, Li Hung Chang, and Charles Souther exhibited a very creditable new bronze colored seedling without name. A display of Violets was made by Francois Supiot, of Germantown, Penn., wliich attracted much attention, and First Class Certificates of Merit were awarded for each of the varieties REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS. 225 Luxoune, a veiT large, single, intensely fragrant, rich blue flower, and Princess cles Galles, a single flower of a deeper shade of blue. The display of Aquatics throughout the season has been un- usually good, the principal exhibitor outside of the regular ex- hibitions being Oakes Ames (Carl Blomberg, gardener). The importance of this class of plants is manifest, and it seems ad- visable that a special day should be set apart for a general display of them. The difficulty of combining a display of plants and flowers of Chrj'santhemums on the same day to cover all classes, including early add late varieties, has been very apparent, more especially affecting as it does the early blooming sorts. For that reason it seems advisable that special prizes be offered for the early bloom- ing sorts at an earlier date than the regular Chrysanthemum Show. The increased interest that has been taken by cultivators of the early blooming sorts, and the marvellous number of named varieties of such, has made it seem necessary that some action be taken in recognition of this class. The increase in the number of displays and new varieties of plants has been such as seriously to cut into the appropriation in many instances during the year. For this reason it is deemed advisable by the Committee to insist more particularly in the future on the correct naming of each variety of flower exhibited for gratuities. This seems necessary both for the good of the Society and the enlightenment of the public, and also to enable the Committee to keep within the appropriation allowed by the Society. The display of Herbaceous Plants for the year has been dis- appointing from the lack of competition. It seems that the effort of the Committee on Establishing Prizes to gain more exhibitors by decreasing the required number of vases and increasing the awards has not had the desired effect. The Flower Committee regret that this condition exists, and hope that another year may bring closer competition in this valuable class of plants. The displays of Native Plants have been ample, and at times have taxed the capacity of the space allowed them. The competition has been close, and the exhibitions have attracted much attention from the public. 226 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The amount appropriated for the year 1896 was . . $2,600 GO We have awarded in prizes and gratuities, including medals 2,638 GO Making a deficit of $38 OG All of which is respectfully submitted, J. Woodward Makning, Michael H. Norton, Thomas C. Thurlow, }■ Committee. Kenneth Finlayson, Frederick S. Davis, PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 227 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR FLOWERS. 1896. January 4. Gratuities : — James Comley, Camellias, Orchids, etc. . . . . . . $4 00 W. E. Coburn, Chinese Primroses . . . . . . . I 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Freesias 1 00 E. Sheppard & Son, Dendrobiums ....... 1 00 , January 11. Gratuities : — David Nevins, Display of Violets .... W. N. Craig, Vase of Freesia refracta W. N. Craig, Vase of Mixed Carnations . Peter Fisher, Vase of Carnation Edith Foster . William Nicholson, Vase of Carnation White Queen James Comley, Display of Camellias Mrs. E. M. Gill, Display of Flowers 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 January 18. Gratuities : — 0 Walter E. Coburn, Primroses ........ 2 00 E. Sheppard & Son, Cinerarias and Dendrobiums . . . . 1 00 January 25. Gratuities : — James Comley, Display of Flowers ....... 5 00 Oakes Ames, <* u .<.. 2 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Roses 2 00 William H. Spooner, Display of Roses . . . . . . 1 00 Botanic Garden of HarvarJ University, Hardy Herbaceous Peren- nials 12 00 Oakes Ames, Display of Aquatics ....... 5 00 Walter E. Coburn, Pelargoniums and Sweet Peas . . . . 3 00 Bussey Institution, Lilies and Delphiniums . . . . . 2 00 Dr. C. G. Weld, Sweet Williams 1 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Flowers 1 00 Mrs. P. D. Richards, Wild Flowers 2 00 July 11. Native Plants. — Collection, not exceeding forty bottles of named species and varieties, one bottle of each, Mrs. P. D. Richards, 8 00 Second, Genevieve Doran ........ 6 00 Third, Oakes Ames 4 00 Vase of Flowers. — Best arranged, in one of the Society's glass vases, James Comley ........ 4 00 Second, Mrs. A. D. Wood 3 00 Gratuities : — Oakes Ames, Display of Aquatics ...... . 5 00 Reading Nursery, Hardy Flowers ....... 3 00 Kea Brothers, Hardy Perennials ...... . 2 00 Walter H. Cowing, Shirley Poppies ....... 2 00 John Jeffries, Nasturtiums and Japanese Irises . . . . 1 00 Hattie B. Winter, Vase of Flowers 1 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers ....... 5 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, " .« «. 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 237 July 18. Gloxinias. — Twelve vases, cut blooms, three in each vase, ar- ranged with any foliage, Jason S. Bailey Second, Dr. C. G. Weld .... Third, James L. Little .... Tuberous Begonias. — Twelve vases, three in ranged with any foliage. Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Elisha S. Converse Hardy Ferns. — Display of named species and varieties, Oakes Ames ........ Second, Mrs. P. D. Richards Third, Mrs. Mary E. Loud each vas Qratuities : — Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Hollyhocks, Phloxes, Roses, Larkspurs, etc. Hon. John Simpkins, Display of Aquatics Oakes Ames, " " " Oakes Ames, Roses, Japanese Irises, etc. John Jeffries, Antirrhinums Rea Brothers, Hardy Plants Dr. C. G. Weld, Gloxinias Dr. C. G. Weld, Begonias . Sumner Coolidge, Hardy Carnations James Comley, Display of Flowers . Mrs. E. M. Gill, Flowers . Arthur E. French, Collection of Sedges and Grasses 5 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 7 00 5 00 3 00 20 00 20 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 8 00 3 00 8 00 July 25. Sweet Peas. — Display, filling thirty vases, arranged with any foliage, H. A. Jones ........ 6 00 Second, E. A. Weeks 4 00 Third, Samuel J. Trepess 3 00 Display of named varieties, in vases, six sprays in each vase, H. A. Jones 4 00 Second, E. A. Weeks 3 00 Third, F. A. Blake 2 00 Vase of Flowers. — Portable decoration, James Comley . . 4 00 Second, Hattie B. Winter 3 00 Gratuities : — Oakes Ames, Display of Aquatics . . . . . . . 10 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers . ...... 5 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, " «' " 2 00 John Jeffries, •««<<< 1 00 Mrs. P. D. Richards, Display of Native Plants . . . . 1 00 238 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. August 1. Perennial Phloxes. — Ten distinct named varieties, one spike of each, the second prize to John L. Gardner . . . . 4 00 Third, George Hollis 3 00 Native Flowers. — Collection, not exceeding forty bottles of named species and varieties, one bottle of each, Mrs. P. D. Richards, 8 00 Second, Miss Genevieve Doran ....... 6 00 Third, Oakes Ames 4 00 Gratuities : — Oakes Ames, Aquatics ......... 5 00 Bussey Institution, Montbretias, Sweet Peas, etc. ... . . 3 00 Jason S. Bailey, Orchids and Roses ....... 2 00 George Hollis, Display of Phloxes . . . . . . . 2 00 E. Sheppard, Piiloxes and Zinnias ....... 1 00 John L. Gardner, Phloxes and Gladioli . . . . . . 1 00 A. Lummus, Dahlias .......... 1 00 Arthur F. Coolidge, Verbenas and other Flowers . . . . 1 00 Rea Brothers, Hardy Herbaceous Perennials . . . . . 1 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers . . , . . . . 4 00 James Comley, Vase of Flowers ....... 2 00 Mrs. A. D. Wood, Flowers 2 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, " 1 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Vase of Wild Flowers 1 00 August 8. Annuals. — General display, named, filling not less than one hundred and fifty bottles, Oakes Ames . . . . . . . 10 00 Second, Mrs. E. M. Gill 8 00 Third, Miss A. D. Coolidge 6 00 Gratuities : — Joseph H. White, Collection of Sweet Peas 3 00 Rev. W. T. Hutchins, Sweet Peas 3 00 Bussey Institution, Sweet Peas, Gladioli, and Montbretias . . 3 00 J. Warren Clark, Seedling Gladioli 3 00 Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Collection of Hardy Phloxes, 2 00 George Hollis, Cannas and Phloxes ....... 1 00 Rea Brothers, Hardy Perennials ....... 1 00 A. Lummus, Dahlias ......... 1 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers 4 00 William C. Winter, Flowers 1 00 August 15. Gladioli. — Twenty named varieties, in spikes, J. Warren Clark . 6 00 Ten named varieties, in spikes, John Parker . . . . 3 00 Second, J. Warren Clark 2 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 23y Six named varieties, in spikes, J. Warren Clark . . . . 2 00 Second, Walter H. Cowing . 1 00 Display of named and unnamed varieties, filling one hundred vases, arranged for effect with any foliage, J. Warren Clark . . 8 00 Gratuities : — John Jeffries, Druramond Phlox . ...... 2 00 Walter H. Cowing, Display of Cannas . . . . . . 2 00 F. A. Blake, Salpiglossis 1 00 F. A. Blake, Petunias 1 00 William E. Endicott, Dahlias 1 00 A. Lummus, " . . 1 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers . ...... 5 00 Oakes Ames, n n "......, 4 00 Bussey Institution, " " "....... 3 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Flowers 2 00 Alice L. Grinnell, Native Plants 1 00 Mrs. P. D. Richards, " " 1 00 August 22. Asters. — Large Flowered, of all classes, fifty vases, not less than twelve varieties, three flowers in each vase, James Comley . Second, F. A. Blake Third, Sumner Coolidge ........ Victoria Flowered, thirty blooms, not less than twelve varieties, Charles H. Souther ......... Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... Gratuities : — Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Herbaceous Plants J. Woodward Manning, Nelurahiurti luteum A. Lummus, Dahlias L. W. Goodell, Drummond Phlox L. W. Goodell, Salpiglossis Mrs. H. J. Stockford, Begonias and Sweet Peas Edwin Sheppard, China Asters . John Parker, Gladioli, etc. Bussey Institution, Flowers James Comley, " George Hollis, " Mrs. E. M. Gill, Mrs. P. D. Richards, Native Plants 4 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 8 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 240 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. September 2 and 3. Special Prize, Theodore Lyman Fund. Aquatic Plants. — General Display of Nymphaeas, Nelumbiums, and other Aquatic Plants, to include not less than twenty-five blooms of Nymphaeas, Hon. John Simpkins . . . . 50 00 Display of twelve Nymphseas and Nelumbiums, the second prize to Oakes Ames ......... 8 00 Regular Prizes. Dahlias. — Double, twelve blooms, distinct named varieties, II. F. Burt 5 00 Second, John Parker ......... 4 00 Third, Lothrop & Higgins 3 00 Six blooms, distinct named varieties, H. F. Burt . . . . 3 00 Second, Lothrop & Higgins ....... 2 00 Third, L. W. Snow 1 00 Specimen bloom, Lothrop & Higgins ...... 2 00 Second, L. W. Snow 1 00 Liliputian Dahlias, Display of twenty-five bottles, not less than eight named varieties, L. W. Snow . . . . . 4 00 Second, William C, Winter 3 00 Third, A. Lummus 2 00 Single Dahlias, Display of not less than eight varieties, William E. Endicott 2 00 Cactus Dahlias, Display filling eighteen bottles, not less than six varieties, H. F. Burt 5 00 Second, William E. Endicott 4 00 LiLiuM Lancifolium. — Collection of named varieties, Sumner Coolidge 4 00 TROPiEOLUMS. — Display, with their own foliage, filling twenty-five vases, Dr. C. G. Weld 4 00 Second, Miss A. L. Cain 3 00 Third, James Comley 2 00 Marigolds. — Display of French and African, filling twenty-five vases, James Comley ........ 3 00 Second, Charles H. Souther 2 00 Cannas. — Collection of not less than ten named varieties, in spikes, with foliage, .lames L. Little . . . . . . . 10 00 Second, Walter H. Cowing 8 00 Third, James Farquhar 6 00 Fourth, Christian Johnson 4 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 241 Double Zinnias. — Twenty-five flowers, not less than six varieties, James Coniley ......... Second, Frederick S. Davis ....... Third, Oakes Ames ......... DiANTHUSES. — Collection not exceeding forty bottles, of named species and varieties, one bottle of each, L. W. Goodell Native Plants. — Collection not exceeding forty bottles, of named species and varieties, one bottle of each, Mrs. P. D. Richards, Second, Miss Genevieve Doran ....... Third, Misses Eleanor and MoUie Doran ..... Vase of Flowers. — For table decoration, on the last day of the exhibition, Hattie B. Winter Gratuities : — Oakes Ames, Collection of Aquatic Plants .... Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia, Penn., Collection of Aquatic Plants L. W. Goodell, Collection of Aquatic Plants W. W. Rawson, Display of Dahlias . William C. Winter, Collection of Dahlias T. C. Thurlow, Forty-three named varieties of James Comley, Pyramid of Asters . L. W. Goodell, Phlox, Asters, and Salpiglossis F. A. Blake, Asters ..... Norris R. Comley, Cockscombs. James L. Little, Tydaa hyhrida grandiflora A. B. Howard, Verbenas and Pompon Zinnias James Comley, Display of Flowers Bussey Institution, Flowers John Jeffries, " Mrs. E. M. Gill, Mrs. J. A. Cain, " Phlox September 12. Gratuities : — John J. Colan, Cockscombs John Parker, Dahlias E. Sheppard, Mrs. E. M. Gill, Flowers . September 19. Perennial Asters. — Display of native or introduced species and varieties, Mrs. P. D. Richards ...... Third, Misses Eleanor and MoUie Doran ..... Gratuities : — A. Lummus, Named Dahlias ........ John Jeffries, Coleus, Dahlias, etc. ....... J. Woodward Manning, Flowers ....... Mrs. E. M. Gill, " 4 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 4 00 12 00 12 00 12 00 10 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 3 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 GO 1 00 5 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 242 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. October 16. Gratuity : — Hon. John Simpkins, Display of Early Chrysanthemums . . . 6 00 October 24. Gratuities : — James Coraley, Chrysanthemums and Cosmos . . . . . 3 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, Chrysanthemums 1 00 October 31. Gratuities : — Hon. John Simpkins, Two vases of Chrysanthemum, Mrs. Henry Robinson ........... 5 00 James Comley, Display of Flowers . . ..... 4 00 Hon. John Simpkins, New Seedling Chrysanthemum . . . 2 00 CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. November 10, 11, 12, and 13. Special Prize from the Josiah Bradlee Fund. Twenty-five blooms, of twenty-five distinct varieties, named, Hon. John Simpkins, a piece of plate, or value in money . . 20 00 Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney . . . . . . 15 00 Third, Joseph H. White 10 00 Six vases, of six named varieties, ten blooms of each, Waban Con- servatories .......... 30 00 Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney 25 00 Third, J. W. Howard 20 00 Special Prizes offered by the Society. Best Seedling, never disseminated, six blooms. Pink, J. Eaton, jr. . 5 00 Best Seedling, never disseminated, six blooms. White, J. Eaton, jr., 5 00 Best Seedling, never disseminated, six blooms, any other color, Charles Souther 5 00 Best Seedling, never disseminated, six blooms Incurved, of any color, Joseph H. White, for Li Hung Ciiang . . . . 5 00 Regular Prizes. Twelve blooms, Incurved, named, in vases, Joseph II. Wiiite . . 8 00 Second, John JeflFries ......... fi 00 Twelve blooms, Japanese, named, in vases, Hon. John Simpkins . 10 00 Second, Joseph H. White 0 00 Third, William Slack 4 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 243 Twelve blooms, Japanese Incurved, named, in vases, John Simp- kins ............ Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney ...... Third, Joseph H. White Twelve blooms. Anemone, named, in vases, J. W. Howard Second, James L. Little ........ Third, William Slack Six blooms Incurved, named, in vases, Charles H. Souther Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... Third, Joseph H. White Six blooms, Japanese, named, in vases, Charles H. Souther Third, Joseph H. White Six blooms, Japanese Incurved, named, in vases, Charles H. Souther, Second, Joseph H. White Third, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney ...... Six blooms Reflexed, named, in vases, Joseph H. White . Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney ...... Third, Charles H. Souther Six blooms. Anemone, named, in vases, Elisha S. Converse Second, James L. Little ........ Third, William Slack Twelve sprays, Pompons, not less than six named varieties, J. W. Howard ........... Second, William Slack ........ Twelve best varieties, named, introductions of the current year, Joseph H. White ......... Second, J. W. Howard ........ Vase of blooms on long stems, arranged in the Society's large china vases, to be kept in good condition during the exhibition, Hon. John Simpkins Second, Hon. John Simpkins Third, David Nevins . Fourth, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Fifth, Charles H. Souther . Sixth, J. W. Howard . Seventh, James Comley Best vase often blooms on long stems. Pink, named, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for Viviand-Morel Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for Mrs. Perin Third, James L. Little, for Viviand-Morel Best vase, ten blooms, on long stems. Red, named, Waban Con servatory, for Edwin Molyneux ..... Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for John Shrimpton . Third, James L. Little, for Egyptian .... Best vase of ten blooms, on long stems. White, named, Waban Con servatories, for Mrs. Jerome Jones .... Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for Mrs. W. H. Phipps Third, James L. Little, for Mrs. Jerome Jones 10 00 G 00 4 00 8 00 6 00 4 00 5 00 4 00 2 00 6 00 2 00 6 00 4 00 2 00 6 00 4 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 8 00 6 00 20 00 18 00 16 00 14 00 12 CO 10 00 8 00 10 00 8 00 6 00 10 00 8 00 6 00 10 00 8 00 6 00 244 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. Best vase of ten blooms, on long stems, Yellow, named, Waban Conservatories, for Eugene Dailledouze .... Second, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for Major Bonnafon . Third, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney, for Eugene Dailledouze Best vase of ten blooms, on long stems, any other color, Mrs. Benja- min P. Cheney, for Mrs. George West ..... Second, J. W. Howard, for Charles Davis .... Third, Elisha S. Converse, for Hicks Arnold .... Gratuities : — Mrs. E. M. Gill, Chrysanthemums .... William Nicholson, Chrysanthemums and Carnations John Jeffries, Display ...... James Coraley, Chrysanthemums .... Elisha S. Converse, Chrysanthemums Hon. John Simpkins, two vases of Chrysanthemums Joseph H. White, Display of Chrysanthemums Norton Brothers, Caitleya Bowringiana . David Nevins, Violets ...... 0 00 8 00 6 00 0 00 8 00 6 00 7 00 5 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 November 21. Gratuities : — James Comley, Display of Flowers ....... 3 00 Mrs. E. M. Gill, """....... 1 00 SOCIETY'S SILVER MEDALS. June 13. Jackson Dawson, for Collection of New Seedling Roses, hybrids of Rosa multiflora. " *' Jackson Dawson, for New Rose, cross between Rosa Wichvraiana and General Jacqueminot. Rose Show, June 23. John Jeffries, for Japanese Peonies. July 25. Botanic Garden of Harvard University, for Display of Herbaceous Plants. August 8. Botanic Garden of Harvard University, for Superior Collection of Annuals. Chrysanthemum Show, November 10. Ernest Asmus, Hoboken, N. J., for Rose Souvenir de President Carnot. APPLETON SILVER MEDAL. Mrs. P. D. Richards, for Native Plants. FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATES OF MERIT. Rose Show, June 23. Oakes Ames, for Sweet Williams. " " " " Hon. Joseph S. Fay, for Rose Lillian Nordica. PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FLOWERS. 245 Augusts. Reii 'Brothers, ioT Rudbeckia laciniata Yar. Golden Gloiv. " " Jacob W. Manning, for Rudbeckia laciniata var. Golden Glow. " " Henry A. Dreer, Philadelphia, Pa., for Nelumbium Shiroman. " " Rev. W. T. Hutchins, for New Unnamed Sweet Pea. Annual Exhibition of Flowers, September 2. Carl Blomberg, for New Nyra- phsea, Mrs. Anna C. Ames. " " " " " " Miss Eliza Wellington, for Superior Cultivation of Cli- anthvs Dampieri. " " " " " " J. F. Huss, for Pennisetum Ruppelii. Chrysanthemum Show, November 10. Fran9ois Supiot, West Philadelphia, Pa., for Violet Luxonne. •' " " " Francois Supiot, for Violet Princess des Galles. HONORABLE MENTION. February 1. William C. Ward, for Carnation Meteor. " " William C. Ward, for Carnation Bridesmaid. June 13. Jackson Dawson, for Seedling Rose from Boston Belle. June 27. Michael H. Walsh, for New Rose Joseph S. Fay. August 8. Henry A. Dreer, for Nymphcea 0' Mar ana. Annual Exhibition of Flowers, September 2. James Comley, for New Perennial Pea. Chrysanthemum Show, November 10. Fran9ois Supiot, for Violet Admiral Avallon. COMPLIMENTARY NOTICE. May 23. R. & J. Farquhar & Co., for Canna Italia. Chrysanthemum Show, November 10. John Breitmeyer & Sons, Detroit, Mich., for Seedling Chrysanthemum, REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS, FOE THE YEAR 1896. By E. W. WOOD, Chairman. The fruit exhibitions during the past season have been more than usually irregular, and considerably below the average of recent years. Apples have been abundant and of excellent qual- ity, exhibitors finding little difficulty in selecting perfect speci- mens. The Pear crop has been a partial failure. At the Annual Exhibition there were no specimens noticeable for superior excellence. "Very few Peaches of open culture have been shown, and those were of inferior quality. Plums have been shown in less quantity than usual. Some of the Japanese varie- ties of this fruit which have received favorable notice have been found to be more tender than the old kinds under general cultiva- tion, and we would caution purchasers of tlie Japanese varieties against the danger of introducing the San Jos6 scale into their gardens and orchards, as these trees have been sent out largely from nurseries in New Jersey to other nurseries and growers all over the country, and have been found to be seriously infected with this pest. Small fruits were shown in about the usual quantity. Grapes, with the exception of the foreign varieties, were not up to the standard either in the size of the bunches or in general appear- ance. Among commercial growers the practice of girdling the vines is increasing, some asserting that if the}' could not thus secure the earlier ripening and larger bunches of more attractive REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 247 appearance, tbey would give up the cultivation of this fruit, on account of the competition and low prices prevailing when the crop matures naturally and grapes are sent to this market in large quantities from locations outside the State. The prac- tice of girdling is worthy of the attention of amateur growers, as by its application and by spraying the vines with the copper solutions or Bordeaux mixture the crosses with foreign varieties, which are more subject to mildew than pure natives, maj' be suc- cessfully grown. Girdling is not adapted to varieties having com- pact bunches, like Moore's Early and Delaware, as the increased size of the berries causes cracking and decay ; but the value of the Concord and Worden, the two kinds of dark grapes most widely cultivated, may be increased by the operation. Strawberries came through tlie winter in good condition, but iet their fruit irregularly, some varieties being affected more than others and producing but a partial crop. At the Strawberry P^xhibition some excellent fruit was shown, the Marshall easily taking the lead as an exhibition variety. This is the first season growers for market have given any considerable space to this variety, and the complaint was made that it did not prove as pro- ductive as some other kinds. Possibly the peculiarit}- of the season had something to do with this result, but its large size, superior quality, and fine appearance will make it desirable for the garden, and further experience may make it profitable for the commercial grower. It evidently requires rich soil and high cul- tivation to secure satisfactory results. The public showed a growing interest in the exhibitions through- out the season by an increased attendance ; these exhibitions afford those interested in fruit growing the best opportunity to learn by comparison the most desirable varieties for cultivation. The prices received by fruit growers for their product has been, like the crop, unusually irregular. As a result of the over supply of apples for the home market, a larger quantity has been sent to foreign ports than in any previous year, and the returns from the earlier shipments were often unsatisfactor;,'. Pears, owing to the short crop, brought higher prices than have prevailed in recent years. The small fruits brought fair prices and met with a ready sale. George W. Campbell, Delaware, O., has entered his new grape, Campbell's Early, for the Special Prize offered from the Benjamin 248 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. B. Davis Fund, sending samples of the fruit in August, Septem- ber, and October. Although the Committee offered in prizes $136 more than their appropriation, owing to the partial failure in several lines of fruit they have awarded in prizes and gratuities only SI, 527, leaving an unexpended balance of $273. E. W. Wood, C. F. CuKTis, ^ Committee. Samuel Hartwell, Warren Fenno, PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 249 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR FRUITS. 1896. February 1. Gratuity : — Leverett M. Chase, Anjou Pears $1 00 March 7. Gratuity : — Charles H. Hovey, Pasadena, Cal., Navel Oranges . . . . 3 00 SPRING EXHIBITION. March 24, 25, 26, and 27. Winter Apples. — Baldwin, J. V. Fletcher ..... Second, Samuel Hartwell ........ Third, Marshall W. Chadbourne Northern Spy, George V. Fletcher ...... Second, William T. Hall Third, Samuel Hartwell Roxbury Russet, George H. Dickerman ..... Second, Joshua C. Stone ........ Third, Benjamin P. Ware Any other variety, George V. Fletcher, Rhode Island Greening . Second, M. W. Chadbourne, Hubbardston .... Third, Samuel Hartwell, Blue Pearmain ..... Winter Pears. — Any variety, George V. Fletcher, Dana's Hovey, Second, Leverett M. Chase, Anjou ...... Gratuities : — Charles H. Hovey, Pasadena, Cal., Oranges and Lemons B. K. Bliss, Navel Oranges ........ June 13. Gratitities : — James Comley, Peaches ..... Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Marshall Strawberries Charles S. Smith, Bubach Strawberries . William G. Prescott, Strawberries William Doran & Son, Collection of Strawberries 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 June 4. Gratuities : — James Comley, Peaches 3 00 William H. Hunt, Strawberries 1 00 William C. Winter, Grapes 1 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 2 00 250 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ROSE AND STRAWBERRY EXHIBITION. JCNE 23 AND 24. Special Prizes from the Theodore Lyman Fund. Strawberries. — For the best four quarts of any variety, Warren Heustis & Son, for Marshall, the Lyman Plate, value . . 20 00 Second, Marshall F. Ewell, for Marshall, the Lyman Plate, value 16 00 Third, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, " " " " 12 00 Fourth, Barnard Farm, " " " " 10 00 Fifth, Sumner Coolidge, " " " " 8 00 Special Prizes offered by the Society. For the best two quarts of any variety, to be judged by points, Marshall F. Ewell, Marshall 6 00 Second, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Marshall 5 00 Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Marshall -t 00 Fourth, Sumner Coolidge, Marshall 3 00 Regular Prizes. For the largest and best collection, not less than twenty baskets of two quarts each, and not less than five varieties, George F. Wheeler 25 00 Ten baskets, not less than three varieties, two quarts each, George F. Wheeler 15 00 Second, George V. Fletcher 12 00 Third, Isaac E. Coburn 10 00 Five baskets, of one variety, two quarts each, Marshall F. Ewell . 8 00 Second, Warren Heustis & Son ....... 6 00 Third, George F. Wheeler 5 00 Fourth, Samuel Hartwell 4 00 Fifth, W. D. Hinds 3 00 Two quarts of Belmont, George V. Fletcher . . . . . 4 00 Second, Barnard Farm ........ 3 00 Third, Samuel Hartwell 2 00 Bubach, Sumner Coolidge ........ 4 00 Second, Oliver R. Robbins 3 00 Third, George F. Wheeler 2 00 Champion, Barnard Farm ........ 4 00 Second, George F. Wheeler 3 00 Third, Bordman Kenrick ........ 2 00 Charles Downing, Miss Mary S. Walker . . . . . 4 00 Second, Samuel Hartwell . . 3 00 Third, William Doran & Son 2 00 Crescent, tiie second prize to Isaac E. Coburn . . . . 3 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 251 Haverland, William Doran & Son ....... Second, Isaac E. Coburn ........ Third, George F. Wheeler Hersey, George F. Wheeler Second, William G. Prescott Jessie, George V. Fletcher < Second, Isaac E^ Coburn Third, George F. Wheeler Leader, George F. Wheeler Second, Samuel Wheeler ........ Third, Isaac E. Coburn ........ Marshall, Marshall F. Ewell Second, Hon. Joseph S. Fay Third, Warren Heustis & Son Miner's Prolific, George F. Wheeler Parker Earle, George F. Wheeler Sharpless, Samuel Hartwell ........ Any other variety, Barnard Farm, Timbrell ..... Second, J. D. Gowing, Seedling Third, Elliot Moore Collection, not less than six varieties, one quart of each, Sumner Coolidge ........... Second, George F. Wheeler One quart of any new variety not previously exhibited, J. D. Gow- ing, Seedling .......... Second, A. R. Howard, Seedling ...... Cherries. — Two quarts of any variety, Edwin Hastings Second, George V. Fletcher Third, Charles S. Smith Foreign Grapes. — Two bunches of any variety, Elisha S. Con- verse ...... ..... Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... Forced Peaches. — Six specimens of any variety, James Comley, Stephenson .......... Second, William C. Winter, Amsden ...... Gratuity : — James Comley, Peaches ......... 2 00 June 27. Strawberries. — One quart of any variety, Marshall F. Ewell, Marshall Second, Warren Heustis & Son, Marshall . Third, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Marshall Cherries. — Two quarts of Black Eagle, Samuel G. Damon Two quarts of Downer's Late, M. W. Chadbourne Any other variety, the second prize to E. S. Chapell, Napoleon Third, Wilfred Wheeler, Richmond ..... 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 4 00 4 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 8 00 6 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 6 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 252 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. July 11. Raspberries. — Two quarts of any variety, William Doran & Son, Red Antwerp .......... 3 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse 2 00 Currants. — Two quarts of any Red variety, Sumner Coolidge, Fay's 4 00 Second, William Doran & Son, Fay's 3 00 Tliird, Samuel G. Damon, Versaillaise 2 00 Fourtli, Benjamin G. Smith, Versaillaise 1 00 Two quarts of any White variety, Nathaniel T. Kidder, White Grape 3 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse, White Grape 2 00 Third, Benjamin G. Smith, Dana's New White . . . . 1 00 Gooseberries. — Two quarts of any Native variety, Joseph S. Chase, Triumph 3 00 Second, Dr. Walter G. Kendall, Columbus . . . . 2 00 Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Downing 1 00 Gratuities : — William C. Winter, Foreign Grapes 1 00 Robert Manning, Florence Cherries ....... 1 00 E. S. Chapell, Napoleon Cherries 1 00 James Comley, Peaches ......... 2 00 JnLY 18. Raspberries. — Two quarts of any variety, Mrs. E. J. Cutter, Cuthbert 3 00 Second, Benjamin G. Smith, Knevett's Giant . . . . 2 00 Third, Elisha S. Converse, Cuthbert 1 00 Currants. — One quart of any Red variety, William Doran & Son, Versaillaise .......... 3 00 Second, Sumner Coolidge, Fay's 2 00 Third, Samuel J. Trepess, Versaillaise 1 00 One quart of any White variety, Samuel J. Trepess, White Grape, 2 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse, White Grape . . . . 1 00 Gooseberries. — Two quarts of any Foreign variety, Benjamin G. Smith, Hero of the Nile 3 00 Second, Benjamin P. Ware, English Fancy . . . . 2 00 Third, Benjamin G. Smith, Abbotsford 1 00 Gratuity : — Warren Heustis & Son, Collection . . . . . . • 1 00 July 25. Blackberries. — Two quarts of any variety. Rev. Calvin Terry, Dorchester 3 00 Second, Rev. Calvin Terry, Kittatinny 2 00 PRIZES AXD GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 253 Apples. — Tetofsky, George Nelson . Second, James Comley .... Third, David L. Fiske .... Pears. — Summer Doyenne, Sumner Coolidge Second, Elisha S. Converse Third, David L. Fiske .... Peaches. — Six of any variety, William C. Winter Gratuity : — Mrs. E. J. Cutter, Raspberries .... 1 00 August 1. Apples. — Red Astrachan, Samuel Hartwell Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Ciiarles F. Curtis . Sweet Bough, George V. Fletcher Second, Charles B. Travis . Third, Sumner Coolidge Any other variety, A. M. Knowlton, Yellow Tran Second, George Nelson, Yellow Transparent Third, C. C. Shaw, Early Harvest Pears. — Giffard, A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. Emmons Third, Samuel G. Damon . Any other variety, Sumner Coolidge Second, A. T. Brown . Third, Mrs. S. Klaus . Blackberries. — Two quarts of any variety, M Second, E. W. Wood Third, Sumner Coolidge W parent Chadbourne 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 9 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 (iratvity : — James Comley, Collection of Apples 1 00 August 8. Apples. — Oldenburg, George C Rice Second, E. R. Cook Third, J. V. Fletcher Any otlier variety, Luke Tuttle, Red Astrachan Second, Charles B. Travis, Sweet Bough . Third, Samuel Hartwell, Summer Pippin . Pears. — Clapp's Favorite, Sumner Coolidge . Second, George V. Fletciier Third, Mrs. S. Klaus Any other variety, the second prize to Samuel G. Damon, GifFard Third, Mrs. Emmons, Giffard 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 254 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Peaches. — Six specimens of cold house or pot culture, of any variety, Elisha S. Converse ....... Second, William C. Winter ....... Foreign Grapes. — Two bunches of any variety, Elisha S. Con- verse, Foster's Seedling ........ Second, Elisha S. Converse, Black Hamburg .... 3 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 August 15. Apples. — Chenango, Sumner Coolidge . . . . . 3 00 Second, Charles F. Curtis 2 OO Third, P. G. Hanson 1 00 Williams, Joshua C Stone 3 00 Second, Charles F. Curtis 2 00 Third, Elisha S. Converse 1 00 Any other variety, Samuel Hartwell, Summer Pippin . . . 3 00 Second, Samuel Hartwell, Gravenstein . . . . . 2 00 Third, Samuel Hartwell, Bietigheimer . . . . . 1 00 Pears. — Rostiezer, Elisha S. Converse 3 00 Second, M. W. Chadbourne 2 00 Third, S. F. & F. L. Weston 1 00 Tyson, John L. Bird 3 00 Second, Warren Fenno ........ 2 00 Third, Leverett M. Chase 1 00 Any other variety, Sumner Coolidge, Clapp's Favorite . . . 3 00 Second, Mrs. S. Klaus, Clapp's Favorite . . . . . 2 00 Third, A. T. Brown, Bartlett 1 00 Plums. — Any variety, George V. Fletcher, Bradshaw . . . 3 00 Second, E. R. Cook, Greeley 2 00' Third, Rev. Calvin Terry, Columbia 1 00 August 22 Apples. — Foundling, Samuel Hartwell Gravenstein, David L. Fiske . Second, E. W. Fiske . Third, Samuel Hartwell Maiden's Blush, E. R. Cook . Second, Joshua C. Stone Third, Dr. Walter G. Kendall Porter, George V. Fletcher . Second, Samuel G. Damon . Third, Sumner Coolidge Summer Pippin, Samuel Hartwell Second, Warren Fenno Any other variety, O. B. Had wen, Somerset Second, Samuel Hartwell, Bietigheimer Third, Joshua C. Stone, Willian 3 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 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 255 Pears. — Andrews, Elisha S. Converse . Second, Joshua C. Stone ..... Bartlett, Mrs. S. Klaus Second, Sumner Coolidge ..... Third, Samuel G. Damon ..... Souvenir du Congres, Warren Fenno Second, Samuel Hartwell ..... Any other variety, H. K. W. Hall, Clapp's Favorite Second, Mrs. S. Klaus, Clapp's Favorite Third, A. T. Brown, Flemish Beauty . Plums. — Bradshaw, George V. Fletcher Second, William H. Hunt Third, L. W. Goodell Any other variety, E. R. Cook, Jefferson Second, David L. Fiske, Seedling Third, Rev. Calvin Terry, Columbia . 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS. September 2 and 3. Foreign Grapes. — Four varieties, two bunches each, INIrs. J. W. Clark, Pomfret, Conn 10 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... 8 00 Two bunches of Black Alicante, Mrs. J. W. Clark . . . 5 00 Second, Elisha S. Converse ....... 4 00 Two bunches of Black Hamburg, Mrs. J. W. Clark . . . 5 00 Second, Joseph H. White 4 00 Two bunches of Golden Hamburg, Mrs. J. W. Clark . . . 5 00 Two bunches of Muscat of Alexandria, Mrs. J. W. Clark . . 5 00 Second, Joseph H. White 4 00 September 12. Apples. — Foundling, C. M. Handley Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, W. H. Teele . Garden Royal, C. M. Handley Third, Benjamin G. Smith . Gravenstein, Samuel Hartwell Second, David L. Fiske Third, George V. Fletcher Maiden's Blush, H. R. Kinney Second, Orlendo W. Dimick Tiiird, Joshua C. Stone 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 256 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Porter, CM. Handley .... Second, George V. Fletcher Third, F. J. Kinney .... Pumpkin Sweet, Samuel Hartwell Second, George W. Stevens Third, Samuel G. Damon . Any other variety, L. J. Fosdick, Seedling Second, C. M. Handley, Wealthy Third, C. M. Handley, Fall Orange or Holden Ckab Apples. — Transcendent, L. J. Fosdick Second, George W. Stevens Any other variety, Orlendo W. Dimick Second, Joshua C. Stone .... Pears. — Bartlett, George V. Fletcher Second, Sumner Coolidge .... Third, Charles F. Curtis .... Belle Lucrative, Elisha S. Converse Second, A. T. Brown .... Boussock, Charles F. Curtis .... Second, Elmer E. Chipman Third, David L. Fiske .... Hardy, David L. Fiske Second, Warren Fenno .... Paradise of Autumn, William Milman . Second, David L. Fiske .... Third, Warren Fenno .... Any other variety, William Milman, Seckel . Second, A. T. Brown, Seckel Third, Warren Fenno, Adams Plums. — Imperial Gage, George V. Fletclier . Second, William H. Hunt .... Third, Mrs. M. T. Goddard Lombard, John L. Bird .... Second, Mrs. S. Klaus .... Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard . Any other variety, Mrs. Mary T. Gmldird, Poml Second, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, Gulden Egg Third, William H. Hunt, Pond's Seedling . Native Grapes. — Six bunches of Eumelan, Benjamin G. Sm Six bunches of Massasoit, F. J Kinney Second, Benjamin G. Smith Third, Samuel G. Damon . Six bunches of Moore's Early, Oliver R Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, George W. Jameson Six bunches of any other variety, Joseph S. Chas Second, F. J. Kinney, Worden . Third, Joseph S. Chase, Ulster Prolific Bobbins See I).' lini ith 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 GO 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 8 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 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 PHIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 257 Six bunches of any variety from girdled vines, F. J. Kinney, Worden 3 00 Second, F. J. Kinney, Concord 2 00 Figs. — Any variety, William McRoberts 2 OO ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. October 1 and 2. Special Prizes. Samuel Appleton Fund. Apples. — Baldwin, Joshua C. Stone ..... Hubbardston, C. M. Handley ...... Pears. — Sheldon, Samuel G. Damon ..... Benjamin V. French Fund. Apples. — Gravenstein, Samuel Hartwell .... Rhode Island Greening, Henry E. Rich .... Marshall P. Wilder Fund. Pears. — Anjou, Mrs. S. Klaus ...... Second, David L. Fiske ....... Third, Samuel Hartwell ....... Fourth, A. T. Brown Bartlett, George V. Fletcher ....... Second, Samuel G. Damon Grapes. — Twelve bunches of Concord, George W. Jameson Second, F. J. Kinney ........ Third, William Doran & Son Fourth, John Parker Twelve bunches of Worden, F. J. Kinney .... Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, H. R. Kinney Fourth, William C. Winter Special Prizes offered hy the Society. Pears. — Anjou, Samuel G. Damon . .... . 5 00 Seckel, Samuel Hartwell ........ 5 00 Native Grapes. — Twelve bunches of any variety, Joseph S. Chase 5 00 Regular Prizes, Theodore Lyman Fund. Apples. — Baldwin, Henry E. Rich 4 00 Second, John W. Clark . 3 00 Third, A. M. Knowlton 2 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 258 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTL'RAL SOCIETY. Dutch Codlin, Warren Fenno Fall Orange or Holden, C. M. Handley Second, H. R. Kinney Third, Henry E. Rich Fameuse, George V. Fletcher Second, Benjamin G. Smitii Third, Mrs. C. N. S. Horner Fletcher Russet, William H. Teele Second, Charles F. Curtis . Third, George V. Fletcher Foundling, C. M. Handley . Second, Samuel Hartwell . Gloria Mundi, Samuel Hartwell Second, E. R. Cook . Golden Russet, Henry E. Rich Second, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Gravenstein, George V. Fletcher Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, C. C. Shaw Hubbardston, C. B. Lancaster Second, Joshua C. Stone . Third, C. M. Handley Hunt Russet, William H. Teele Second, William H. Hunt . Third, Samuel Hartwell Jacobs Sweet, Charles F. Curtis Lady's Sweet, A. M. Knowlton Second, William H. Teele . Mackintosh, George C. Rice . Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, E. C. Stone . Maiden's Blush, H. R. Kinney Second, Joshua C. Stone . Mother, David L. Fiske Second, H. R. Kinney Third, William H. Teele . Northern Spy, George V. Fletcher Second, George C. Rice Third, C. C. Shaw Porter, George V. Fletcher . Second, C. M. Handley Third, P. G. Hanson . Pound Sweet, George V. Fletcher Second, George C. Rice Third, Samuel Hartwell Rhode Island Greening, Joshua C. Ston Second, lOlliott Moore Third, Georse C. Rice 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 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 4 00 3 00 2 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 259 Roxbury Russet, Nathaniel T. Kidder Second, J. A. Leonard Third, E. R. Cook Sutton, George Cruickshanks Second, George C. Rice Third, Henry E. Rich Tolman's Sweet, Willard P. Plimpton Second, George C. Rice Third, C. C. Shaw Tompkins King, George C. Rice . Second, F. J. Kinney . Third, John W. Clark Washington Royal, or Palmer, O. B. Hadwe Second, George Cruickshanks Third, George C. Rice Wealthy, C M. Handley Second, W. K. W. Hall . Third, George C. Rice Any other variety, 0. B. Hadwen, Bowe Second, A. J. Moody . Third, John Parker Crab Apples. — Hyslop, M. W. Chadbourne Second, Norris R. Comley Any other variety, S. Warren Second, S. F. & F. L. Weston . Society's P, Pears. — Angoulerae, A. T. Brown Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Mrs. Emmons . Fourth, Warren Fenno Bosc, Sumner Coolidge . Second, Warren Fenno Third, A. T. Brown . Fourth, Arthur Coolidge Clairgeau, William T. Hall Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Warren Fenno Cornice, A. T. Brown Second, Warren Fenno Third, Leverett M. Chase Dana's Hovey, A. T. Brown Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Willard P. Plimpton Fourth, Charles E. Swain . Diel, Charles E. Swain . Second, Benjamin G. Smith Third, J. R. Magullion 4 00 3 00 2 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 oa I 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 I 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 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 2 00 1 00 260 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Fulton, Elisha S. Converse Second, Jolin L. Bird . Hardy, Warren Fenno . Howell, Benjamin G. Smith Second, Warren Fenno Third, George F. VVheeler Josephine of Malines, Warren Fen Second, John L. Bird Third, L. W. Goodell Lawrence, A. T. Brown Second, Leverett M. Chase Third, Warren Fenno Louise Bonne of Jersey, Sumner Coolid Second, Warren Fenno Third, Benjamin G. Smith . Marie Louise, Charles E. Swain Second, Mr. Jones Third, Warren Fenno Merriam, Sumner Coolidge . Second, San)uel G. Damon Third, A. T. Brown . Seckel, Charles F. Curtis Second, Charles E. Swain . Third, A. T. Brown . Fourth, Mrs. S. Klaus Sheldon, A. T. Brown . Second, Sumner Coolidge . Third, Samuel G. Damon . Fourth, William Milman St. Michael Arcliangel, Warren Heustis Second, Benjamin G. Smith Third, Warren Fenno Su[)erfin, Sumner Coolidge Second, Warren Fenpo Urbaniste, A. T. Brown Second, Charles E. Swain Third, Mrs. Emmons . Vicar, A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. Jones Third, Sumner Coolidge Winter Nelis, A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. Emmons Third, Clifford Weld . Any other variety, Charles B Second, Warren Fenno, Third, John J. Merrill, & Son Travis, Onondaga 3 00 2 00 3 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 4 00 3 00 2 00" 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 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 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 261 Qdinces. — Ciianipion, Cliarles S. Smith Second, Orlendo W. Dimiek Third, George V. Fletcher Orange, J. E. Richardson Second, George V. Fletcher Third, Arthur F. Coolidge . Pear, E. R. Cook . Second, George V. Fletcher Third, Benjamin G. Smith . Kea, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard . Second, George S. Curtis . Third, Benjamin G. Smith . Peaches, Orchard House Culture. — William C Plums. — Yellow Egg, George V. Fletcher Any other variety, Samuel G. Damon Second, George V. Fletcher Native Grapes. — Six bunches of Brighton, S Second, Benjamin G. Smith Third, M. W. Chadbourne . Delaware, Joseph S. Chase Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Benjamin G. Smith . Fourth, Samuel Hartwell . Herbert, Samuel G. Damon . Second, Joseph S. Chase lona, Samuel G. Damon Second, Joseph S. Chase Third, Francis Blake . Lindley, Benjamin G. Smith . Second, Samuel G. Damon Niagara, Oliver R. Robbins . Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Joseph S. Chase Pocklingtori, Mrs. J. H. Jackman Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, P. G. Hanson . Fourth, S. F. & F. L. Weston Prentiss, Benjamin G. Smith . Second, Joseph S. Chase . Wilder, Benjamin G. Smith . Second, Samuel G. Damon Any other variety, Mrs. M. Haller, Salem Second, Benjamin G. Smith, Merrimack Third, F. J. Kinney, Salem Concord from girdled vines, F. J. Kinney Second, H. R. Kinney Win ter 1 Hartwell 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 i 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 262 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, Cranberries. — Half-peck, L. J. Fosdick Second, L. J. Fosdick Third, L. J. Fosdick . . . . Gratuities : — Benjamin G. Smith, Display of Grapes Warren Fenno, Collection 3 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 3 00 EXHIBITION OF AYINTER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. November 21. Benjamin V. French Fund. Apples. — Baldwin, John "NV. Clark . . . . . • . Hubbardston, C. M. Handley ...... 5 00 5 00 Society's Prizes. Apples. — Baldwin, William Doran & Son Second, J. V. Fletcher Third, M. W. Chadbourne . Danvers Sweet, Warren Fenno Second, C. M. Handley Fletcher Russet, Charles F. Curtis Second, George V. Fletcher Third, William H. Teele . Hubbardston, Amos T. Leavitt Second, C. M. Handley Third, M. W. Chadbourne . Hunt Russet, Samuel Hartwell Lady's Sweet, A. M. Knowlton Northern Spy, George V. Fletcher Second, Littlefield Farm Third, William Doran & Son Rhode Island Greening, George V. Fletcher Second, J. W. Clark . Third, E. W. Wood . Roxbury Russet, George C. Rice . Second, George V. Fletcher Third, Samuel Hartwell Tolnian's Sweet, Mrs. Sarah M. Moore Second, George C. Rice Third, Willard P. Plimpton Tompkins King, George C. Rice Second, Samuel Hartwell . Third, E. C. Stone 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR FRUITS. 263 Any other variety, George C. Rice, Mackintosh Second, George C. Eice, Yellow Bellflower Third, George V. Fletcher, Pound Sweet Pears. — Angoulenie, Samuel G. Damon Second, A. T. Brown . Third, Mrs. Emmons . Fourth, Warren Fenno Anjou,. A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. S. Klaus Third, Charles E. Swain Fourth, Samuel G. Damon Clairgeau, William T. Hall Second, Warren Fenno Third, Samuel G. Damon Comice, A. T. Brown Dana's Hovey, A. T. Brown Second, Samuel G. Damon Third, Charles E. Swain Fourth, Benjamin G. Smith Diel, Charles E. Swain . Second, A. T. Brown . Third, Benjamin G. Smith Glout Morceau, Warren Fenno Second, Clifford Weld Josephine of Malines, Warren Fen Second, John L. Bird Langelier, A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. S. Klaus Third, T. M. Davis . Lawrence, A. T. Brown Second, Warren Feiino Third, Mrs. Emmons . Vicar, Mrs. Jones . Second, John J. Merrill Third, A. T. Brown . Winter Nelis, A. T. Brown Second, Mrs. Emmons Third, Clifford Weld . Any other variety, Warren Fenno, Duchess of Bordeaux Second, S. F. & F. L. Weston, Columbia Third, Clifford Weld .... Gratuities : — L. J. Fosdick, Cranberries Rev. Calvin Terrj', Cranberries 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 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 ] 00 1 00 1 00 REPORT COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES, FOR THE YEAR 1896. By CHARLES N. BRACKETT, Chairman. The exhibition season for the year 189G is just concluded, and a brief report of the doings of your Committee is now in order. We are highly gratified to be able to report that our exhibitions in this department the past year have shown an onward movement, which testifies more plainly than any other evidence could do that the progress which is being made in vegetable culture is highly satisfactory. lu each and every class the state of perfection in which the generality of exhibitors brought their various produc- tions to the contest has been very good, and after making due allowance for the diversity of location and the effect upon some crops of the contingencies of the weather, we have seen quite enough to satisfy us that intelligent minds are engaged and careful hands are at work in growing the various products of the earth to that high degree of luxuriance and perfection which the judicious union of art in aid of nature's efforts can olone effect. Still, at none of our exhibitions has there been the least difficulty in detecting the marked difference between the well tended crop and its less fortu- nate competitor. With a season favorable to vegetable growth, our weekly shows, from the first Saturday in July to the Annual Exhibition, have been unusually full and fine, and seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by the visiting public. As usual, verv good exhibits of forced vegetables were made REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 265 during the mouths of January aucl P^ebruarv. A. "\V. Crockford's Musluoouis, shown ou sever.il occasions during the winter, were remurkahly fiue and well grown specimens, deserving high com- mendation. But few new vegetables were shown the past year requiring special mention. July 11 H. R. Kinney show^ed a new Pea under the name of Buck's New Life, a pea of the largest size, perfect in form and color, but lacking in quality. Of recent introduction, the Juno, a pea exhibited here last year for the first time, was shown July 25 by James Comley. While possessing all ihe |)oints of the above mentioned variety, it can claim an additional and very important point; namely, quality. It is a pea of delicious flavor, and seemed to the Committee worthy of cultivation. August 22 A. T. Browi) exhii)ited a new and very large Tomato called Buckeye State. The specimens were well grown, but like most varieties of the largest size this will probably be found too late for profitable cultivation by the market gardener. On the same date a novelty in the way of a new Tomato with variegated foliage was shown by L. W. Goodell. At this show the Boston Mycological Club made the largest display of the season, about 150 varieties of Fungi. Hollis Web- ster was the largest contributor, taking the first prize at this and subsequent prize days during the season. We note the continu- ance of the lively interest mentioned in last year's report in these exhil)itions of our Native Mushrooms, l)oth hy members and visitors. Your Committee are of the opinion that prizes should be olTered for only known, named, edible varieties, and that such exhibits should be shown separately, and not mixed up on the same table with poisonous or doubtful varieties. Shown in this manner, they would become object lessons to the student of this siibject, who would soon learn to know them at sight. At a recent meeting of the Society the following vote was passed with reference to these exhibits in future, to which the attention of those interested is called : "Voted, That the Vegetable Committee be requested to provide cards distinctively colored (red or otherwise), and having the word 'Poisonous' plainly printed thereon, and that exhibitors of Fungi not known to be edil)le be required to use these cards in labelling all such exhibits when shown in Horticultural Hall." 266 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. September 12, the last of the weekly exhibitions, was as usual the largest and one of the best of the season. Nearly all the prizes were competed for and awarded. The display of Potatoes at the Annual Exhibition formed as usual one of the most interesting features of this show, the variety being great (ninety-five dishes were shown) and the quality un- surpassed. C. H. Thomas again took the first prize for the best four varieties. Celery, Cauliflowers, Tomatoes, Squashes, Egg Plants, etc., were also most richly represented. The various root crops are deserving of special mention, for we have never seen finer or more perfect specimens of the different varieties of Beets, Carrots, Parsnips, and Turnips than were shown at this exhibition. We are pleased to bear testimony to H. R. Kinney's skill as a grower of fine vegetables, as manifested in the very fine specimens which on several occasions gained for iiim the first premium. He also secured the first prize at this exhibition for the best collection of vegetables arranged for effect. The display of Tomatoes, consisting of sixty dishes, mainly of standard kinds, was, owing to the lateness of the season, not equal to that made on September 12. The first prize for the best three varieties was awarded to E. C. Lewis. Hon. Aaron Low was the largest contributor, showing some twenty or more varieties. Competition for prizes the past year has been unusually close and spirited, and the Committee in making the awards have sel- dom had their powers of discrimination so thoroughly tested. The amount appropriated for the year 1896 was . . 8l,lo0 00 The Committee have awarded in prizes and gratuities . 1,107 00 Leaving an unexpended balance of . . . ^43 00 All of which is respectfully submitted. For the Committee, C. N. Brackett, Chairman. PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 267 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED VEGETABLES. FOR 1896. January 11. Radishes. — Four bunches of any variety, Arthur F. Coolidge Cucumbers. — Pair of any variety, Francis Blake . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge ..... Third, Francis Blake ....... Cauliflowers. — Four specimens, William H. Teele Lettuce. — Four heads of Tennisball, Joshua C. Stone . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Third, H. R. Kinney Parsley. — Tavo quarts, David Nevins .... Second, W. N. Craig ....... Mushrooms. — Twenty-four specimens, A. W. Crockford Second, Elisha S. Converse ..... Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, "William C. Winter, Chemin Second, W. N. Craig, May's Favorite Third, William C. Winter, Essex .... Gratuities : — Warren Heustis & Son, Celery A. W. Crockford, Mushrooms .$3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 GO 1 00 1 00 February 1. Radishes. — Four bunches of any variety, Josliua C. Stone Cucumbers. — Pair of any variety, Francis Blake Dandelions. — Peck, David Nevins Second, William C. Winter .... Lettuce. — Fgur heads of Tennisball, Joshua C. Stone Mushrooms. — Twenty-four specimens, A. W. Crockford Rhubarb. — Twelve stalks, C. F. Smith . Second, George Sanderson Third, Norris R. Comley ..... Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, Francis Blake Second, William C. Winter, President Cleveland Third, William C. Winter, Chemin . 2 00 3 GO 3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 CO Gratuity : — Norris R Comley, Rhubarb 1 00 2f)8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Febkuary 8. Gratuities : — M. Ernest Moore, Lettuce Norris R. Coniley, Rhubarb George Seaverns, Tomatoes February 15. Gratuity : — Norris R. Comley, Rhubarb February 29. Gratuities : — Warren Heustis & Son, Dandelions . Rev. Calvin Terry, Canada Squashes 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 SPRING EXHIBITION, March 24, 25, 26, and 27. Radishes. — Four bunches of Turnip Rooted, Joshua C. Ston Second, A. W. Crockford Cucumbers. — Pair of White Spine, M. D. Hawes . Second, M. Ernest Moore Third, Francis Blake Dandelions. — Peck, Warren Heustis & Son . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Third, Hon. Aaron Low ...... Lettuce. — Four heads of Tennisball, John L. Girdrier . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Third, Joshua C. Stone Water Cress. — Two quarts, Benjamin P. Ware . Parsley. — Two quarts, David Nevins .... Second, Arthur F. Coolidge ..... Mushrooms. — Twenty-four specimens, A. W. Crockford Rhubarb. — Twelve stalks, the second prize to George Sander Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, Francis Blake, Essex . Second, Francis Blake, Nicholson .... Third, William Nicholson, Nicholson Gratuities : — Ettore Tassinari, Onions . Rev. Calvin Terry, Potatoes M. W. Chadbourne, Artichokes Warren Heustis & Son, Dandelions Artliur F. Coolidge, Collection . 2 00 1 00 8 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 a 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 OU 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 269 April 4. Cucumbers. — Pair of White Spine, M. Ernest Moore Second, Francis Blake ..... Third, James Comley ...... Oratuities : — Hon. Aaron Low, twenty varieties of Potatoes . M. Ernest Moore, Lettuce Warren Heustis & Son, Beet Greens April XL Gratuities : — William Nicholson, Tomatoes ..... Warren Heustis & Son, Dandelions .... James Comley, Cucumbers ..... April 17. Gratuities : — James Comley, Cucumbers ..... Warren Heustis & Son, Dandelions .... 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 1 00 I 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 MAY EXHIBITION. May 2. Asparagus. — Four bunches, twelve stalks each, L. W. Weston Second, Hon. George Heywood .... Cucumbers. — Pair of White Spine, M. Ernest Moore Second, M. D. Hawes Third, Arthur F. Coolidge . Spinach. — Peck, Arthur F. Coolidge Dandelions. — Peck, M. Ernest Moore Second, Hon. Aaron Low . Lettuce. — Four heads, M. E. Moore Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Rhubarb. — Twelve stalks, P. G. Hanson Second, George Sanderson . Gratuities : — W. N. Craig, Collection .... William Nicholson, Tomatoes . 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 1 CO Mat 9. Gratuities : — Hon. George Heywood, Asparagus L. W. Weston, Asparagus P. G. Hanson, Collection . Warren Heustis & Son, Collection 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 270 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIT. May 16. Gratuities : — P. G. Hanson, Asparagus and Rhubarb Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, Cauliflowers Hon. George Heywood, Asparagus . L. W. Weston, Asparagus Warren Heustis & Son. Lettuce 2 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 Mat 23. Gratuities : — Hon. George Heywood, Asparagus . . . . . . . 2 00 P. G. Hanson, Asparagus ......... 1 00 Warren Heustis & Son, Lettuce and Radishes . . . . . 1 00 RHODODENDRON SHOW. June 4 and 5. Theodore Lyman Fund. Beets. — Twelve specimens, any variety, John J. Lyon . . . 3 00 Second, Arthur F. Coolidge 2 00 Third, Mrs. M. T. Goddard 1 00 Carrots. —Twelve Short Scarlet, W. N. Craig . . . . 3 00 Second, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard 2 00 Radishes. — Four bunches of Turnip Rooted, George D. Moore . 2 00 Second, H. R. Kinney 1 00 Four bunches of Long Scarlet, George D. Moore . . . . 2 00 Second, H. R. Kinney 1 00 Asparagus. — Four bunches, twelve stalks each, P. G. Hanson . 3 00 Second, William H. Hunt 2 00 Third, Hon. George Heywood 100 Cucumbers. — Pair, Francis Blake ....... 3 00 Second, H. R. Kinney 2 00 Third, George D. Moore 1 00 Lettuce. — Four heads, Warren Heustis & Son . . . . 3 00 Second, George D. Moore 2 00 Third, Arthur F. Coolidge 1 00 Rhubarb. — Twelve stalks, Warren Heustis & Son . . . . 3 00 Second, P. G. Hanson 2 00 Third, Arthur F. Coolidge 1 00 Mushrooms. — Twenty-four specimens, H. R. Kinney . . . 3 00 Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, William C. Winter, President Cleveland 3 00 Second, W. N. Craig, May's Favorite 2 00 Third, W. N. Craig, Eclipse 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 271 Gratuities : -^ Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Cauliflowers Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Lettuce . P. G. Hanson, Rhubarb Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, Cauliflowers Warren Heustis & Son, Collection Arthur F. Coolidge, " George D. Moore, " 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 June 13. Gratuities : — Hon. George Heywood, Asparagus ....... 1 00 Norris R. Comley, Cucumbers 1 00 Warren Heustis & Son, Rhubarb 1 00 Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Collection 3 00 June 20. Gratuities : — Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Cauliflowers and Lettuce Warren Heustis & Son, Collection . 2 00 2 00 ROSE AND STRAWBERRY SHOW. June 23 and 24. Beets. — Twelve Summer Turnip Rooted, Sumner Coolidge . . 3 00 Second, Warren Heustis & Son 2 00 Tiiird, Arthur F. Coolidge 1 00 Onions. — Twelve specimens, Warren Heustis & Son . . . 3 00 Second, Sumner Coolidge ........ 2 00 Third, Samuel J. Trepess 1 00 Cucumbers. — Pair of White Spine, Warren Heustis & Son . . 3 00 Second, Arthur F. Coolidge 2 00 Third, Joshua C. Stone 1 00 Cabbages. — Three of any variety, Warren Heustis & Son, All Seasons 3 00 Second, Hon. Joseph S. Fay 2 00 Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Succession 1 00 Lettuce. — Four heads of any variety, Arthur F. Coolidge . . 2 00 Second, Sumner Coolidge ........ 1 00 Peas. — Half-peck of any variety, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, American Wonder 3 00 Second, Elliott Moore, Notts Excelsior 2 00 Third, George V. Fletcher, American Wonder . . . . 1 00 272 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Oratuities : — James Comley, Potatoes 1 00 William C. Winter, Tomatoes 1 00 M. T. Stevens, Tomatoes 1 00 Warren Heustis & Son, Collection 2 00 June 27. Potatoes. — Twelve specimens, C. W. Hubbard Second, James Comley .... Onions. — Twelve specimens, Warren Heustis & Son Second, George D. Moore .... Squashes. — Four Long Warted, Joshua C. Stone Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Four Scalloped, Sumner Coolidge Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Cabbages. — Three of any variety, trimmed, George Second, Warren Heustis & Son, All Seasons Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Wakefield . Beans. — Half-peck of String, any variety, Arthur F. Coolidg Second, Joshua C. Stone .... Third, Sumner Coolidge .... Peas. — Half-peck of American Wonder, Hon. Joseph S. Fay Second, Isaac E. Coburn D. Moore Gratuities : — Warren Heustis & Son, Collection George D. Moore, " 3 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 July IL Levi Whitcomh Fund. Cabbages. — Three Drumhead, trimmed, George D. Moore Second, Warren Heustis & Son ..... Beans. — Half-peck of Cranberry, Samuel Hartwell Second, Joshua C. Stone Third, George D. Moore Peas. — Half-peck of any variety, George V. Fletcher, Stratagem Second, Isaac E. Coburn, Advancer .... Third, George V. Fletcher, Advancer Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears, Sumner Coolidge Second, Joshua C. Stone ...... Tomatoes. — Open culture, twelve specimens, E. N. Pierce, Stone Second, Isaac E. Coburn, Comrade .... Third, Samuel J. Trepess, Faultless .... 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 273 Gratuities : — Nathaniel T. Kidder, Tomatoes H. R. Kinney, New Pea, Buck's New Life H. 11. Kinney, Stratagem Peas . Warren Heustis & Son, Collection . George D. Moore, Collection July 18. Potatoes. — Twelve specimens, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Hebron Second, Hon. Joseph S. Fay, Rose ..... Third, [saac E. Coburn, Rose ...... Letthce. — Four heads of any variety, Warren Heustis & Son Second, John Jeffries ........ Sweet Cor\. — Twelve ears, Sumner Coolidge, Hybrid . Second, Francis Blake, Crosby ...... Tiiird, Sumner Coolidge, Corey ..... Tomatoes. — Open culture, twelve specimens, Isaac E. Coburn Second, Samuel J. Trepess, May's Favorite Third, Samuel J. Trepess, Faultless ..... 1 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 July 18. Gratuities : — Hon. Aaron Low, Collection of Beans Isaac E. Coburn, Peas .... Rev. Calvin Terry, Peas and Beans . Warren Heustis & Son, Collection 2 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 Jdly 25. Any variety, twelve specimens, Isaac E. Coburn, Potatoes. — Clark Second, Benjamin P. Ware, Roberts's Early Third, James Comley, Early Harvest Squashes. — Three Marrow, Sumner Coolidge Peas. — Half-peck of any variety, Hon. Aaron Low, Stratagem Second, James Comley, Juno ..... Third, Isaac E. Coburn, Heroine .... Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears of Crosby, Sumner Coolidge Second, Francis Blake ...... Twelve ears of any other variety, Sumner Coolidge, Hybrid Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, Samuel J. Trepess, May's Fa vorite .......... Second, Samuel J. Trepess, Stone ..... Third, Samuel J. Trepess, Faultless . Native Mushrooms. — Named collection, edible and poisonous varieties to be shown separately, and to be so designated, Hollis Webster ......... Third, William W. Burlen 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 3 00 274 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. Gratuities : — Hon. Aaron Low, Tomatoes 1 00 David Fisk, Horticultural Beans 1 00 James Comley, Collection ........ 3 00 John Jeffries, " 1 00 August 1. Beans. — Two quarts of Goddard, shelled, Warren Heustis & Son . 3 00 Second, Samuel Hartwell ... . . . . . . 2 00 Third, Rev. Calvin Terry 1 00 Half-peck of Horticultural, Isaac E. Coburn . . . . 3 00 Second, Sunmer Coolidge ........ 2 00 Third, Joshua C. Stone 1 00 Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens of Comrade, Isaac E. Coburn . 3 00 Second, Hon. Aaron Low ........ 2 00 Twelve specimens of Stone, Joshua C. Stone . . . . 3 00 Twelve specimens of any other variety, Samuel J. Trepess, May's Favorite 3 00 Egg Plant. — Four specimens of Round Purple, Arthur F. Cool- idge 3 00 Second, Sumner Coolidge . 2 00 Gratuities : — Dr. George E. Francis, Twenty-six varieties of Mushrooms Alexander L. Hayes, Mushrooms ..... Arthur F. Coolidge, Celery ...... Hon. Aaron Low, Collection . . . . . • . Warren Heustis & Son, Collection ..... August 8. Greenflesh Melons. — Four specimens, Arthur F. Coolidge Second, Joshua C. Stone ........ Salmon Flesh Melons. — Four specimens, Joshua C. Stone Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears, Rev. Calvin Terry . . . . Second, Sumner Coolidge ........ Third, Oliver R. Robbins Egg Plant. — Four specimens of Round Purple, Arthur F. Cool- idge Second, Joshua C. Stone ........ Gratvities : — Boston Mycological Club, Fungi . . . . . . " . Samuel Hartwell, Collection . . ...... Hon. Aaron Low, " ........ 2 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 275 AOGDST 15. PoTATOKS. — Twelve specimens of any variety, Samuel Hartwell, Rose ........... Second, Isaac E. Coburn, Hebron ...... Tiiird, Samuel Hartwell, Hebron ...... Onions. — Twelve specimens, Sumner Coolidge . . . . Second, Benjamin P. Ware, Cracker ...... Tiiird, Benjamin P. Ware, Silver Sltin ..... Greenflesh Melons. — Four specimens, Arthur F. Coolidge Second, Joshua C. Stone ........ Salmon Flesh Melons. — Any variety, four specimens, Joshua C. Stone ........... Second, Franli M. Stone Celery. — Four roots of any variety, Artliur F. Coolidge, Paris Golden ........... Second, Warren Heustis & Son, Paris Golden .... Third, Arthur F. Coolidge, Pascal Beans. — Two quarts of Large Lima, Sumner Coolidge . Two quarts of Goddard, shelled, Benjamin P. Ware Second, Isaac E. Coburn ........ Third, Warren Heustis & Son . . . . Sweet Corn. — Twelve ears of Potter's Excelsior, Isaac E. Co- burn ........... Second, Hon. Aaron Low ........ Third, Rev. Calvin Terry Twelve ears of any other variety, P. G. Hanson, Quincy Market, Second, E. C. Lewis, Quincy Market ...... Third, Hon. Aaron Low, Melrose ...... Peppers. — Twelve specimens of Squash, George Lincoln Second, Arthur F. Coolidge ....... Third, P. G. Hanson Any other variety, E. C. Lewis, Ruby King ..... Gratuities : — James Comley, Collection E. C. Lewis, " Hon. Aaron Low, " Warren Heustis & Son, Collection William C. Bates, Musltrooms . Henry F. Kellogg, " 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 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 3 00 3 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 August 22. Greenflesh Melons. — Four specimens, Joshua C. Stone Second, Arthur F. Coolidge ..... Third, Isaac E. Coburn ...... 3 00 2 00 1 00 276 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Salmon Flesh Melons. — Four specimens, Joshua C. Stone Second, Frank M. Stone Watermelons. — Pair, Joshua C. Stone ..... Cabbages. — -Three of any variety, trimmed, Arthur F. Cooiidge Celery. — Four roots, Arthur F. Cooiidge, Paris Golden Second, Arthur F. Cooiidge, Pascal . Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Paris Golden Beans. — Two quarts of Large Lima, Sumner Cooiidge Two quarts of Dwarf Lima, Isaac E. Coburn Marttnias. — Twelve specimens, M. W. Chadbourne Second, Samuel J. Trepess .... Native Mcshrooms. — Named collection, edible and poisonous va- rieties to be shown separately, and to be so designated, Hollis Webster ........... Second, Dr. George E. Francis ....... Third, J. C. Young ......... Gratuities : — A. T. Brown, Tomatoes Warren Heustis & Son, Celery ........ Hon. Aaron Low, Collection ........ Samuel Hartwell, " ........ P. G. Hanson, " Mrs. E. M. Gill, " 2 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 September 12. Turnips. — Twelve Flat, H. R. Kinney .... Second, John Jeffries ...... Greenflesh Melons. — Four specimens, E. C. Lewis . Second, Sumner Cooiidge ...... Third, Samuel Hartwell Salmon Flesh Melons. — Four specimens, Joshua C. Stone Watermelons. — Two specimens, Joshua C. Stone Cauliflowers. — Four specimens, William H. Teele Lettuce. — Four heads of any variety, H. R. Kinney Second, Sumner Cooiidge ...... Third, George E. Sanderson Celery. — Four roots of any variety, Arthur F. Cooiidge Second, Warren Heustis & Son, Pascal Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Paris Golden Parsley. — Two quarts, Sumner Cooiidge Second, Arthur F. Cooiidge Beans. — Large Lima, two quarts, Sumner Cooiidge Second, E. C. Lewis ....... Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 Y 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEC4ETABLES. 277 Corn. — Sweet, twelve ears of Potter's Excelsior, Isaac E. Coburn Second, Hon. Aaron Low ..... Third, Rev. Calvin Terry Any other sweet variety, P. G. Hanson, Crosby . Second, P. G. Hanson, Quincy Market Third, Rev. Calvin Terry, Crosby Egg Plants. — Four Round Purple, H. R. Kinney . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge .... Third, Sumner Coolidge ..... Tomatoes. — Three varieties, twelve specimens each, Hon. Aaron Low, Paragon, Perfection, Acme Second, Hon. Aaron Low, Essex, Ignotum, Imperial Third, David L. Fisk Twelve Comrade, David L. Fisk .... Second, Hon. Aaron Low . . . . Tliird, Isaac E. Coburn ..... Twelve Maj''s Favorite, Hon. Aaron Low Second, Samuel J. Trepess .... Third, Isaac E. Coburn ..... Twelve Stone, Hon. Aaron Low .... Second, P. G. Hanson ..... Third, Sumner Coolidge ..... Twelve of any other variety, David L. Fisk, Beauty Second, Arthur F. Coolidge .... Third, Isaac E. Coburn Maktynias. — Twelve specimens, Hon. Aaron Low Second, Samuel J. Trepess .... Okra. — Twelve specimens, E. C.Lewis Second, E. C. Lewis, Dwarf .... Peppers. — Twelve specimens of Squash, Hon. Aaron Low Second, George W . Jameson .... Anj' other variety, Hon. Aaron Low, Ruby King . Second, E. C. Lewis, Ruby King Native Mushrooais. — Named collection, edible and poisonous varieties to be shown separately, and to be so designated, Hollis Webster ......... Second, Ellen W. Rumrill ........ Third, A. P. Doughty Gratuities : — Hon. Aaron Low, Collection of Tomatoes . . . . . E. C. Lewis, Collection ....... Warren Heustis & Son, " ....... Arthur F. Coolidge, " P. G. Hanson, " 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 I 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 5 00 2 00 3 00 1 00 Gratuity : — Warren Heustis & Son, Celery September 26. 1 00 278 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. October 1 and 2. Regular Prizes. ney Beets. — Twelve Turnip Rooted, C. H. Thomas Second, Joshua C. Stone . Third, Warren Heustis & Son Carrots. — Twelve Long Orange, H. R. Kinney Second, E. C. Lewis . Third, Samuel J. Trepess . Twelve Intermediate, H. R. Kinney Second, E, C. Lewis . Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Parsnips. — Four varieties, twelve specimens each, H. R. Kin Second, Warren Heustis & Son Third, George D. Moore Potatoes. — Four varieties, twelve specimens each, C. H. Thoma Second, Isaac E. Coburn . Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Twelve Clark, Isaac E. Coburn Second, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Third, C. H. Thomas . Twelve Hebron, F. J. Kinney Second, Isaac E. Coburn . Third, H. R. Kinney . Twelve Rose, Isaac E. Coburn Second, H. R. Kinney Third, C. H. Thomas . Twelve Savoy, Isaac E. Coburn Second, H. R. Kinney Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Twelve of any other variety, C. H. Thomas, Carman No. 3 Second, H. R. Kinney, Carman No. 1 Third, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, Notts Victor Salsify. — Twelve specimens, George D. Moore Second, H. R. Kinney Third, Warren Heustis & Son . Turnips. — Twelve Flat, F. J. Kinney . Second, Mrs. Mary T. Goddard Twelve Swedish, Henry E. Rich, White Second, Henry E. Ricli, Skirving's Purple Onions. — Twelve Danvers, Samuel J. Trepes Second, George D. Moore . Third, Hon. J. J. H. Gregory . PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 279 Twelve Red, Hon. J. J. H. Gregory Second, W. N. Craig .... Squashes. — Three Bay State, Hon. Aaron Lo Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Third, "Warren Heustis & Son . Three Hubbard, Samuel Hartwell Second, Joshua C. Stone . Third, Arthur F. Coolidge . Three Hybrid Turban, Hon. Aaron Low Second, E. C. Lewis .... Third, Arthur F. Coolidge Three Marblehead, E. C. Lewis . Second, Josiuia C. Stone . Three Marrow, Warren Heustis & Son . Second, Arthur F. Coolidge Tiiird, Sumner Coolidge Brussels Sprouts. — Half-peck, John Jeffries Second, Nathaniel T. Kidder Third, Hon. Aaron Low Cabbages. — Three Drumhead, trimmed, Sam Second, Oliver E. Robbins Third, B. J. De Souza Tiiree Red, trimmed, Hon. Aaron Low . Second, H. R. Kinney Third, E. C. Lewis .... Three Savoy, trimmed, Samuel Hartwell Second, H. R. Kinney Third, E. C. Lewis .... Cauliflowers. — Four specimens, A. M. Knowlton Second, William H. Teele Third, B. J. De Souza Fourth, Henry E. Rich Celery. — Best kept during the exhibition, Golden, Arthur F. Coolidge . Second, Warren Heustis & Son . Third, H. R. Kinney .... Any other variety, Warren Heustis & Son, Pascal Second, A. Nixon, White Plume Third, H. R. Kinney, Pascal Endive. — Four specimens, E. C. Lewis . Second, H. R. Kinney Third, Mrs. M. Haller ... Lettuce. — Four heads, Calvin A. Hoar Second, Sumner Coolidge . Third, Warren Heustis & Son . Parsley. — Two quarts, Sumner Coolidge Second, Arthur F. Coolidge uel Hartwell four roots of Paris 3 00 2 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 I 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 5 00 4 00 3 00 2 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 280 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. C. Lewis Horseradish. — Six Roots, H. R. Kinney Second, George D. Moore Corn. — Yellow or Field, twenty-five ears, Elliott Moore Second, Henry E. Rich, Twelve Rowed Third, Henry E. Rich, Eight Rowed . Egg Plant. — Four Round Purple, Sumner Coolidge Second, Arthur F. Coolidge .... Third, George D. Moore ..... Tomatoes. — Three varieties, twelve specimens each, E Second, Hon. Aaron Low, Perfection, Stone, and Cardinal Third, Hon, Aaron Low, May's Favorite, Scoville, and Par agon ..... Twelve Comrade, Hon. Aaron Low Twelve May's Favorite, Isaac E. Coburn Second, W. N. Craig . Twelve Stone, Daniel L. Fisk Second, Hon. Aaron Low . Third, Joseph Thorp . Twelve of any other variety, Arthur F Second, Isaac E. Coburn, Ignotum Third, Hon. Aaron Low, G. A. R. Peppers. — Twelve specimens of Squash, Second, George Lincoln Third, Arthur F. Coolidge . Any other variety, Hon. Aaron Low, Bull Nose Second, Hon. Aaron Low, Ruby King Third, Hon. Aaron Low, Golden Queen Culinary Herbs. — Collection, named, W. N. Craig Collection of Vegetables, covering fifty square feet, arranged for effect, H. R. Kinney Second, Warren Ileustis & Son Third, Arthur F. Coolidge Fourth, E. C. Lewis . Coolidge, Puritan George W. Jameson 2 00 1 00 3 00 o 00 1 00 3 00 2 00 1 00 5 00 4 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 2 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 5 00 15 00 12 00 10 00 8 00 Gratuities : — Hon. Aaron Low, Collection of Tomatoes Joshua C. Stone, Watermelons W. N. Craig, Collection John Jeffries, " Warren Heustis & Son, '* P. G. Hanson, A. A. Lawrence, " George D. Moore, " Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, " 3 00 1 00 4 GO 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 Gratuity : — Warren Heustis & Son, Celery October 10. 1 00 PRIZES AND GRATUITIES FOR VEGETABLES. 281 October 17. Gratuity : — Warren Heustis & Son, Celery ] 00 October 2i. Gratuities : — William C. Winter, Tomatoes , . . 1 00 Warren Heustis & Son, Celery ........ 1 00 October 31. Gratuity : — Warren Heustis & Son, Celery ........ 1 00 EXHIBITION OF WINTER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. November 21. Cucumbers. — Pair, Francis Blake . Second, John L. Gardner .... Cabbages. — Three Red, trimmed, Hon. Aaron Low Second, Samuel Hartwell .... Three Savoy, trimmed, Joshua C. Stone Second, Warren Heustis & Son . Third, Samuel Hartwell .... Brussels Sprouts. — Half-peck, John Jeffries Second, John L. Gardner .... Third, Hon. Aaron Low .... Cauliflowers. — Four specimens, A. M. Knowlton Second, William H. Teele .... Third, B. J. De Souza .... Celery. — Four roots, Warren Heustis & Son, Pascal Second, Warren Heustis & Son, Paris Golden Third, Warren Heustis & Son, Boston Market Lettuce. — Four heads, Joshua C. Stone Second, George D. Moore .... Third, Warren Heustis & Son . Tomatoes. — Twelve specimens, grown under gla Winter, Stone ...... Second, William C. Winter, Perfection Third, Francis Blake ..... William C Gratuities : — Warren Heustis & Son, Collection Elisha S. Converse, Mushrooms 3 00 2 00 3 00 2 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 1 00 December 5. Gratuities : — Warren Heustis & Son, Lettuce Hon. Aaron Low, Spinach and Brussels Sprouts 1 00 1 00 REPORT COMMITTEE ON GARDENS, FOR THE YEAR 1896. By JOHN G. BAKKEE, Chairman. The Committee take pleasure in reporting to the Society a season of unusual activity and interest, the prizes offered having been competed for more than in any previous season. In all, we have made eleven visits, and on each occasion the subjects for competition were of unusual merit, and we feel that the purpose for which the Committee is established has been more satisfac- torily carried out than in previous seasons. We are glad to report that Mr. David Nevins has entered his fine estate at Framingham for the H. H. Hunnewell Triennial Premium, and that Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney has also entered her estate at South Natick for the same Premivim, We expect to make the first visit at Mrs. Cheney's place in June, 1897. Your attention is invited to the statements of the various com- petitors, which are of jjractical value. David Nevins's Estate, Framin^gham. The Committee have made two visits to the fine estate of Mr. David Nevins, at Framingham. Tlie large extent of the estate and the varied fine views lend to it a charm and attraction not easily described. To appreciate its beauty it must be seen ; there is no spot anywhere that has not some attraction. As we enter the estate from Framingham, a portion on the borders of Farm Pond REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 283 is laid out witli well-planned drives. Here no attempt has been made at artificial treatment, but the native trees have been well cared for, and the grounds kept clean, and with the exception of a few evergreens that have been planted there, it is as near a natural park as can well be. It is a pleasant spot of about 150" acres, and is a fine example of what can be done with a natural piece of Avoodland where a small amount is laid out to make it accessible for pedestrians and carriage driving. We believe this is open to the public, who enjoy it at their will. Leaving this place, we approach the estate proper, which is reached by a driveway, the borders of which are planted with groups and single speci- mens of evergreens in well selected varieties. After crossing the county road we enter that part of the estate occupied by the mansion-house, gardens, farm barn, and stables. We find the kitchen-garden well arranged, with a good variety of vegetables and small fruits, all in the highest state of cultivation. There is a small amount of glass structures and cold frames, which "are invaluable on an estate of this size. After a highly satisfactory inspection of this department, we retrace our steps to the long- drive leading to the mansion-house. Between this drive and the county road there is no fence, but ati irregular border of shrubs and evergreen trees of many interesting varieties planted in groups. On the left a large planting of shrubs, in variety, divides the lawn from the meadow, two hundred or more feet from the house, which stands on the highest elevation of the estate. On the east side a large parterre is laid out between the mansion- house and a stone wall not far from the highway, the border in front of the wall being planted with low-growing evergreens. The arrangement of the parterre gives a pleasing approach to the house. On the opposite side of the house the grass grade slopes gradually to the Sudbury Eiver. The stable, at a convenient dis- tance from the house, is hidden by a belt of trees in a very healthy condition. A continuation of the drive to the westerly end of the estate takes us where the extended views are the charm and admiration of all. They are certainly not excelled in New England, and it is doubtful whether they are in old Eng- land. In the distance Mount Wachusett is plainly visible, and the beauty and variety of hill and dale with the fine water front can hardly be excelled. We are again attracted by the excellent specimens of evergreens in the border between the estate and the 284 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. highway. Particularly noticeable are elegant specimens of Abies concolor, A. D iiKjlasii, A. orientalis, A. Nordmanniana, and Plcea 2ningens of good form and rich coloring. A commendable feature, especially in the case of the trees, is that they have not been allowed to grow so closely together as to spoil each other, but much time and labor are bestowed every year in pruning and thinning out the trees and shrubs. Every effort is made to grow good specimens of the rarer and choicer varieties of evergreens, which in the near future will be a splendid feature of the place. Perhaps the most enjoyable spot is the piazza of the house, where the most varied and extended views are obtained. In the dis- tance, looking in one direction, we see a train of cars wending its way through meadow and woods ; in another direction we see cattle grazing in the distance — here a stretch of meadow, and again large tracts of woodland and meadow, all beyond the water front. Nearer, or between the house and the water front, small groups of trees and single specimens have been planted which even now, while yet young, add much to the charm and attractiveness of the landscape, and when they shall have attained a full growth the beauty of the views will be greatly enhanced. In the care and development of the estate much credit is due for the good condition of everything to the faithful and persistent labors of Alexander McKay, Mr. Nevins's gardener, who is deeply interested in the development of the estate ; we wish we could record more such instances of confidence between employer and employee. Your Committee are unanimous in their conclusion that this estate is one of the finest we have visited in point of natural views and unexcelled scenery. The judicious manner in which it is managed and developed has assisted in bringing us to this conclusion. AVe also desire to record our iiearty appreciation of the very cordial reception given us personally by Mr. Kevins. His statement in regard to his estate is as follows : Statement of Mr. Kevins. Framingham, September, 1896. I made my first purchase of land here in ^he spring of 1871. The farm consisted of one liundred and fifty-six acres, lying on both sides of the Sudbury River, and bounded on the south for nearly a mile by the Boston and Albany Railroad, and on the REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 285 east by Farm Pond. My first work was the taking away of all division walls, getting rid of old and worthless apple orchards, etc. Within a short time the City of Boston seized the Sudbury River, beginning the series of flowage dams, which in the case of my farm on Basin Xo. 2 has given us a very extensive water view. Within ten years of my first purchase, from neighbors moving away, etc., I had added a large area to the original place, the estate now consisting of nearly five hundred acres. The pasture, about a hundred and fifty acres, "\yest of the river, is fenced ; other than this there are no walls or fences on the place, or on the county road running through the farm, ornamental trees and shrubs proving a handsome and sufficient division line. In 1888, to avail of the better site and extensive views, I moved my house and stable about seventeen hundred feet in dis- tance, directly north of the old location ; the new avenue, planting plans, grading, etc., having been laid out and superintended by Mr. Ernest W. Bowditch, landscape engineer and gardener. There is a drive around the entire place, furnishing easy and pleasant communication with all the fields, but the grounds about the house, with the lawns, ornamental planting, kitchen- garden, and main avenue comprise about seventy-five acres. The farm buildings, including the modern three-story barn, are at the extreme southerly end of this part of the estate, and near by is the garden, of a little over two acres, including a moderate amount of glass ; and here my gardener, Alexander McKay, has raised the roses, violets, etc., which I have exhibited at the Society's shows, taking many first premiums. I append a report ^ from Mr. McKay on his method of raising violets in frames. Your Committee awarded him their first prize of ^40 for these violets last spring. Very truly, David Xevixs. To JoHx G. Barker, Esq., Cltairman Committee on Gardens. 1 See page 293. 286 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. The interest in the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum seems to be as general, and the growers as enthusiastic, as ever. Your Committee feel justified in continuing these prizes for chrysan- themums, especially as ornamental plants. We have thought that each season has brought better and better plants, but there is no room for doubt that the plants at Mrs. Cheney's and at Mr. Walter Hunnewell's were the best your Committee have seen. Mrs. Benjamin P, Cheney's Chrysanthemums, South iSTATICK. We had two competitors for the best house of Chrysanthe- mums, arranged for effect with other plants. Our first visit was at Mrs. Benjamin P. Chenej^'s (John Barr, gardener). Here we found a very choice lot of medium sized, well grown plants, forty- two in number, and each one a perfect specimen. They were propagated in January and shifted on to twelve-inch pots, and grown under glass all summer, on side benches, until the latter part of August, when they were moved to the house in which they were flowered. Mr. Barr says that in growing specimens one must try for varieties that are short-jointed, so as to be kept compact, and must also look out for pleasing colors ; so we have to go back and grow old varieties to get those points, as it is usually hazardous to depend on the new. They take up a great deal of room if you intend doing them well, and require a great deal of air to keep the foliage ; but, as a whole, Mr. Barr says he would rather grow a house of specimen bush plants than a house of plants with single stems, and, on a private place, the propri- etor enjoys them more. Mr. Barr further says that the great point in growing speci- mens is to keep the soil sweet, and not overdose with fertilizers, but give a little at a time and often. Mr. Barr's list includes the following varieties, and he says that any of them will make nice plants with a little care : White. — Ivory, Theo, Mine. A. Planchon, Mrs. Heale, Silver Cloud, Vernal Fall, Mrs. Robert Craig, Mutual Friend, Jennie Williams. Yellow. — President Hyde, Gold Dust, Whilden, W. H. Lin- coln, Mrs. Bishop, W. H. Rieman, Savannah, Georgiana Bramhall, Primula, Jardin des Plantes, C. Chalfaut, Minerva. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 287 PixK. — Pink Ivory, Nemesis, Mons. R. Dean, lora, Znlinda, L. Boehmer, Mrs. Perrin, Eda Prass, Mrs. S. T. Murdock, Enninilda, Portia, Mrs. Goschen, Duchess of York. Red. — William Seward, John Shrimpton, Sunrise, Columbine, Golden Hair, Cullingfordii, Mrs. E. M. Bigelow, Emma 0. Earel. The house in which these plants Avere grown is span-roofed, 50 X 20 feet, arranged for this occasion with a walk through the centre of the house, on the bench, with the plants on either side, so that visitors could look on all at one time. The plants Avere what may be termed medium in size, but were very uniform, and both flowers and foliage were in the most perfect condition, arranged with excellent taste as to color blending, harmonizing beautifully with the foliage plants, Avhich were not so numerous or so large as to detract from the Chrysanthemums. It was well done, and was in every way a fine show. In the hoTise of Chrysanthemums on benches, there Avere eight hundred plants grown to one stem and bloom, which Avere propagated May 1st, and planted the second week in June, nine inches apart, on benches. There Avere thirty-six varieties, growm, mostly for exhibition, with not tAvo dozen blossoms lost out of. the entire lot. Of new varieties Mr. Barr says he cannot say. much, and fiuds it generally impossible to say much about thjeui', the first year. The stock, he finds, is generally all run ou.t ;; it. is forced to death, so that sometimes they surprise one the • second year. Mrs. Perrin and Modesto are varieties that, will'i make names for themselves Gretchen Buettner is a. good' Avhite. Violescent and Indiana have long necks, Avhich is , against them, but Violescent makes a nice flower. Walliam, Simpson is a good, clear pink, but there is not enough . t© , it to,- make it a good staying variety. Mr. Barr says the trouble on a. private place is to make room for Chrysanthemums. Tjlis year he potted his pinks in six-inch pots ; now, as the Qh^ysanthe- mums are used, he cleans out the benches and plants .therpinks,. The benches are made of such a size that six men can. carry out a section filled Avith loam ; and in spring, when the time comes to plant Chrysanthemums, the benches of pinks are carried out,, and benches Avith fresh soil are carried in for the Chrysanthe- mums. In this Avay the pinks are all saved, and the Chrysanthe- mums are not delayed. 288 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Walter Hunnewell's Chkysaxthemums, Wellesley. Our next visit was at Walter HunneweH's (T. D. Hatfield, gardener), Avhere we saw some ver}^ fine specimens indeed. At our request Mr. Hatfield has given us for the Tkaxsactioxs a leaf out of the book of his own experience, which has extended over many years, he having been a successful grower and exhib- itor for a long time. The many premiums he has received must be a sufficient evidence that he is an expert in the culture of this popular plant. During this same time he has furnished articles and notes on the Chrysanthemum for " Garden and Forest." Mr. Hatfield's account forms a valuable contribution to the Trans- actions of the Society, and will be read with interest. He writes as follows : Statement of Mr. Hatfield. During the season large numbers of small pot Chrysanthemums are bought when in bloom. What to do with the plants when out of bloom is a question often asked. When it is remembered that Pompon varieties are quite hardy in Massachusetts, and many others nearly so, it will be seen that no pampering is necessary in wintering the plants over. Such as have been grown in pots are by the nature of their previous culture too tender to be turned out at once. A very cool cellar, such as a barn cellar, on a shelf near the light, would be a good place to keep them. A little frost would do them no harm. It is better to keep the plants cool, for if the place is at all warm they start into growth, and this weakens them. I have known them keep Avell in an attic, and also in a fairly warm cobbler's shop, near the Avindows. They freeze sometimes, but come out all right in spring. Here is a starting point. When spring comes most of the plants Avill be a mass of growing shoots. What is generally done is to divide up the old stool, and plant a number of shoots together. I do not desire to be tedious, or to hamper the grower with too many details, but it would be better if a few of the shoots, with a piece of root attached to each, could be started afresh into separate plants in sandy soil. This could all be done before June, after which there would be ample time to transplant the young plants and get good bushes before the autumn. Young plants such as I have indicated always have more vigor than REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 289 detached portions of the old stock. During the months of June and July, when the plants are growing fast, they should be frequently topped to induce stocky growth. Some localities are much infested with insects, Avliich often blight the shoots so badly that few flower buds appear. A good plan in such cases is to place a frame work of mosquito netting about the plants, with an opening on one side. This will keep out their worst enemy, the chinch bug. Green and black aphides — small insects which cling to the leaves and buds near the ends of the shoots — often gather in such large numbers as to cripple the shoots seriously. The frequent application of tobacco dust will keep them in check. The plants should be taken up early in September, potted care- fully, and stood in some shady place to recover. As cold weather comes they should be housed at night and stood out during the day time. The large flowers we see on trained specimens are obtained by reducing the number of buds on a shoot to one only. More flowers, but smaller, would naturally come were all the buds allowed to remain. It is just a matter of taste. Small plants of all the leading varieties are offered by the principal florists in spring time. The newest are not always the best. Here is my selection for next season ; Morning Crow, pink ; Mutual Friend, white ; 0. W. Holmes, red ; Marion Henderson, yellow ; Norma, pink ; Ivory, white ; Columbine, bronze ; Garza, white anemone ; Savannah, yellow pompon ; John Shrimpton, crimson ; W. H. Lincoln, yellow ; Joseph H. White, white. This statement was written at the request of the Chairman of the Garden Committee, especially for amateurs and schools. It is in no sense a professional article. T. D. Hatfield. William Nicholson's Chbysaitthemums, Fbamijstgham. For Chrysanthemums on benches the other applicant was Mr. William Nicholson, whose plants were grown for commercial purposes, on a bench in the centre of a house 15 X 100 feet, and formed a very satisfactory exhibit indeed. We have requested some notes from Mr. Nicholson, and he says : " In regard to Chrysanthemums for 1896 I think quite a little progress has been made — that is, in separating the kinds for exhibition blooms and those for commercial purposes. Mine are all grown 290 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. for the latter purpose, therefore I have to discard a good many A'^arieties that make very fine exhibition blooms, and give you the following list of what I think are the best market kinds to date : " White. — Mrs. Bergmann, Ivory, Mrs. H. Robinson, "W. G. Newett, Mrs. Phipps, Mrs. Jerome Jones, Minnie Wanamaker, Niveus, Pelican. " Yellow. — Yellow Queen, Major Bonnafon, Gold Lode, W. H. Lincoln, H. W. Rieman, President Hyde for a pot plant. " Red. — John Shrimpton and Cullingfordii. John Shrimpton is good for single stems and pot culture as welL ^' Pink. — M. Neval, Mrs. Perrin, Helen Bloodgood, Mrs. S. T. Murdoch, Erminilda, Maud Dean, Ada Spaulding, Ruth Ellis. "Bronze. — Sundew, Harry May, E. G. Hill. ''The plants were propagated from May to the 20th of June, and planted on the benches from the lotli to the 2oth of July, in compost the same as last year. "This year in feeding fused considerable imported English bituminous soot and consider it very valuable in keeping the foliage in good condition." The fine condition of the plants Avas the best evidence of good cultivation ; two flowers were grown on each plant, each abun- dantly large enough for all commercial purposes. An experienced florist who accompanied us on this Adsit said that it Avas as good a house as he ever saw, and that the moderate sized floAvers, of Avhich these Avere so fine samples, would find a much more ready market than the larger ones. Chrysanthemums at Oakmont, Lexington. By James Comley. Chrysanthemums are largely groAvn at Oakmont, many neAV varieties being obtained each season, a list of Avhicli, with their descriptions, is given for the benefit of those Avho ma^^ Avish to add to their collections. Adelaide. — Japanese. Deep rose pink ; reverse, shell pink. Autumn Bride. — Japanese, 1896. First exhibited as October Queen. Pure Avhite, incurved, fine, early. Buff Globe. — Japanese IncurA^ed. A bulf yellow sport from Good Gracious. Buff Harry. — Incurved. Deep brownish yellow shaded buff; petals covered with glandular hairs. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 291 Clarence. — Incurved. Bright red, golden reverse. Columbine. — Japanese Incurved. Bright red, reverse bronze. Daydaion. — Japanese. Creamy white, centre tinged sulphur ; large, early. Golden Sunset. — Japanese Incurved. Broad petals covered with glandular hairs ; deep old gold. Headlight, — Japanese Incurved. Deep carmine, reverse sil- very pink. Indiana. — One of the largest flowers to be found in the family, measuring twenty-two inches in circumference, nicely incurved ; of a clear bright pink within, lighter color without. Invincible. — Japanese. White, very large. Jessie Whitcombe. — Japanese. Deep golden yellow, of im- mense size, and perfect form. J. R. Kelm. — Bright golden yellow, striped red. Liberty. — Late; clear rich golden yellow. Mrs. C. B. Freeman. — Clear yellow ; a hirsute variety, being a sport from L. Boehmer. Mrs. Battles. — Probably the same as Mrs. H. H. Battles. Mrs. Helen Wright. — Pure ivory white, with age assuming the faintest tint of pink. Mrs. H. H. Battles. — Japanese Incurved. Large, late, white shading blush at base. Mrs. Perrin. — The rose pink Ivory ; rose pink within, glisten- ing pink without. Mrs. R. Crawford. — Extra large, clear white, resembling Ivory, but larger ; late. Mrs. T. D. Hatfield. — Incurved. Pure yellow, fine form, high centre. Mrs. W. W. Raynor. — Japanese. Beautiful clear white, early to mid-season. Marion Cleveland. — Very large, early, ivory white, shaded delicate lemon at centre. Midnight. — Crimson lake ; very hairy. New York. — Japanese Incurved. White ; globular and mas- sive. Nanshon. — Japanese. White; globular; mid-season. Phryne. — High rounded Japanese flowers ; inner surface rich red bronze ; reverse, bright chrome. Pride of Castlewood. — Chinese ; pure white. 292 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Red Warrior. — Reflexed. Chestnut red, in the style of W. W. Coles. Rena Dnla. — Incurved Japanese. Deep rich pink. Riverside. — Eeflexed. Deep canary yellow ; broad flat petals. Signal Light. — Incurved Japanese. Red bronze. Sibyl Kaije. — Japanese. Salmon pink ; reverse, clear yellow. The World. — Japanese. Very large flat flowers, with incurv- ing petals, pure white. Tippecanoe. — Japanese Incurved. Terra cotta, with lighter reverse ; a line exhibition flower. Violet King. — Japanese. Pink shaded violet. W. Mattheuis. — This must be the same as Governor Matthews. Pale pink, turning to white. VIOLETS. It is always the object of the Committee to offer new prizes as occasion requires, to encourage the good cultivation of any special subject. In accordance with this principle a prize was offered this year for the best bench or frames of violets, which are in such demand during the winter months that a stimulus to good cultivation is a public benefit. The violet disease has been very troublesome to many growers, and a few abstracts from the pens of experienced cultivators may not be out of place. Under the head of " Garden Notes," " Garden and Forest," for 1893, page 337, we read : " If we want strong clumps of violets to bloom well in winter, we must cut off the runners now (August 9), and not Avait for the violet disease to show itself before remedies can be ap- plied. We hope to ward off a possible attack of disease by the application of fungicides now. We have two batches, and one is given an application of sulphide of potassium at the rate of half an ounce to a gallon of water, the other a dusting of ' Grape dust ' in twenty parts of air-slacked lime." On page 367 of the same volume, E. 0. Orpet says, August 30 : " Our first preparation for fall is to get the violets under glass as soon .as practicable, and at this time every plant of the winter-flowering double kind, Lady Hume Campbell, is safely under glass, either in the frames or the heated house. The showery weather, and consequent humid atmosphere, give the exact conditions favorable to the develop- ment of disease, traces of which are already visible. This EEPORT or THE COMMITTEE OX GARDENS. 293 removal of plants enables us to keep off overhead moisture. I have tried every known means to circumvent the disease, but have come to the conclusion that there is no cure for diseased plants in an advanced stage, and it is a waste of time and labor to try remedies. Much can be done, however, to keep healthy stock from becoming weak, by taking off all the runners at this season." The paper of ]Mr. Alexander McKay, gardener to David Kevins, who has been a successful grower and exhibitor of violets for several years, which is appended, will be read with interest ; the frames placed in competition for the prize were well grown ; in- deed, they were the best your Committee have seen. Violet Culture ix Frames. The method of cultivation pursued is very simple, and differs in detail but slightly from that in general practice. Cuttings from the strongest runners are obtained at various times during the winter, being taken from the healthiest and most vigorous plants. They are trimmed and planted in boxes of sandy soil, and kept in the greenhouse until well rooted and growing vigor- ously. They are then transferred to the cold frames, where they remain until planted in the field. A position where the plants will be shaded part of the day is chosen for their summer growth. A heavy coat of fine manure is given, spread on evenly. Planting is done early in May, setting in rows eighteen inches apart each Avay. Hoeing to keep the weeds down and the soil loose, and pulling off useless runners as they appear, are strictly attended to during the growing season, About the 20th of September the best plants are lifted and planted in frames, space enough being left between the plants to allow a free circulation of air. When planted they are thoroughly watered, and the sashes, lightly shaded, are put on. Air is freely given day and night as long as mild weather continues. When freezing weather arrives they are covered nightly with mats and shutters. Watering is performed with extra care from iSTovember to the end of March, being confined to parts showing dry on the surface. The soil used is composed of three parts of loam and one part of old hotbed manure, with the addition of a light sprinkling of 294 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. wood ashes. This is composted a year previous to using, and turned over at intervals to insure an intimate mixing of the ingredients. Respectfully yours, Alex. McKay, Gardener for David Nevins. To J. G. Barker, Esq. James Comley's Violets Were grown in a frame forty feet long by six feet wide, and. were the California variety. The cuttings were placed in a cold frame June 1, well watered and kept shaded for ten days ; then exposed to the sun, and kept well watered until September 1, when they were planted in the frame. They are now in a com- post of one part good old cow manure and one of yellow loam, with a little ground bone dust, and are given plenty of air every fine day. The growth was vigorous and free from disease, and the flowers were produced in abundance. CARNATIONS Are so deservedly popular that your Committee thought it wise to offer a premium for the best house. There has not been the competition we expected, but we have seen enough under cultiva- tion to satisfy us that the encouragement which the premium offers is a step in the progressive line of Floriculture. The Car- nation is and always will be popular, especially for winter cut flowers, their keeping qualities being so excellent. There is but little that can be added to the many articles on Carnation culture in the popular horticultural journals and the Proceedings of the American Carnation Society. William Nicholson, who made the only entry, sends the following notes : " In regard to Carnations I have very little to say at present. On account of the dry weather my plants will be quite small to take in, but they are very nice, clean, and healthy. I have a few of the new varieties on trial. Edith Foster, white, is a very promising one, and Eldorado, yellow, which I had last year, I consider one of the very best sent out. I have two or three very promising seedlings of my own, but cannot tell how they will turn out until after another year's trial. There are lots of new REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 295 seedlings sent out every year, but very few of them reach the top of the ladder, as the standard is getting very high, and they must be exceptionally good to make a mark for themselves." Mr. Nicholson's houses were in excellent condition ; the plants very healthy, with no sign of disease. High cultivation and cleanliness are the features that characterize all that Mr. Nichol- son takes hold of, and his well-merited success is due to his care and skill. FRUIT GAEDEK The only application for this premium for the best Fruit Garden was from Mr. Warren H. Heustis, and was made with particular reference to his Strawberry Garden, which contains about one acre. The varieties grown are principaWy the Mar- shall and Belmont. The latter variety, Mr. Heustis says, is no back number with him by any means, as it holds it own for productiveness and for price in the Boston market. The plants are set in rows four feet apart and two feet in the row, and alloAved to make a bed. A path a foot wide is cut out in the spring, and the plants are thinned out where they are too thick. The Marshall, Mr. Heustis finds, has many plants with no berries set on them, but he says these barren plants will fruit another year. The condition and productiveness of this acre of straw- berries were the best evidence of good cultivation ; it was quite equal to any acre of strawberries we have seen. In addition to making a specialty of strawberries, Mr. Heustis is gradually getting into other fruits, — pears, apples, gooseberries, and currants, — and says that it takes the best of land for these purposes, which is a soil bordering on clay. On such a soil the fruit comes very smooth and fair, with scarcely any disease. There are about one hundred and seventy-five young pear trees, divided between Bartlett, Bosc, and Dana's Hovey. Among apples the Gravenstein is considered the best all-around apple for early autumn. We hope to have the pleasure of recording Mr. Heustis's success with his fruit trees at a future time. VEGETABLE GARDENS. The competitors for this prize were Col. Frederick Mason, of the Riverside Farm, Taunton (E. C. Lewis, manager), and War- ren Heustis & Son, of Belmont. Both these gentlemen have furnished statements, which follow : 29 0 massachusetts horticultural society. Statement of E. C. Lewis. Taunton, Mass., Sept. 19, 1896. John G. Barker, Esq. : Dear Sir : In reply to your inquiry in regard to the crops Ave grow, mode of cultivation, etc., I would say that the farm con- sists of fifty acres of cleared land; namely, ten acres of river meadow with clay subsoil, nearly all of which has been mowed twice this season, and forty acres of upland sandy loam soil with part clay subsoil and part coarse sand or gravelly subsoil. Thirty acres are down to English grass, which has been cut twice this season. We use Canada hard-wood ashes for our grass land, applying at the rate of one ton per acre each year in the fall months, and one hundred pounds of nitrate of soda per acre in the spring. When we re-seed or seed down we use about five hundred pounds of ground bone per acre in addition to ashes. We keep a small herd of Jerseys, consisting of seven cows and one bull, which are fed during the summer months, from April to the end of October, on rye, oats, and peas ; oats and vetches, or tares, sweet corn fodder, etc., of which we usually take two or three crops from the same land, five or six acres of land being used for that pur- pose, and some of the fodder being cured for winter use. We have about five acres of land planted to roots and vege- tables, consisting of one acre of mangolds and sugar beets, the land for which was manured with stable manure at the rate of eight cords per acre and eight hundred pounds of Armour's Soluble Fertilizer, all applied broadcast and worked in thoroughly with a wheel harrow, after which we used a Thomas smoothing harrow and then rolled down the laud with a light roller. The seed was planted in rows two feet apart, at the rate of about six pounds per acre. We commenced cultivating as soon as the beets got up two inches, and thinned them when six inches high with a common hoe, leaving them from twelve to fifteen inches apart. We estimate the crop as it now stands at from forty to forty-five tons on the acre. The remainder of the five acres of land is planted to potatoes, squashes, and about one hundred other varieties of vegetables, nearly all of which are planted so as to use a pony and cultivator REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 297 between drills. We have water laid on about three acres, sup- plied by a windmill. The farm is owned by Col. Frederick Mason. Warren H. Heustis's Vegetable Garden. Mr. John G. Barker, Chairman Garden Committee : The Vegetable Garden entered by me contains about twelve acres, consisting of light, low, and soil bordering on the clay. The farm is devoted to a general assortment of garden crops, namely: parsley, carrots, lettuce, onions, spinach, dandelions, cucumbers, cabbages, beans (string and shell), salsify, squashes, melons, corn, rhubarb, and celery. We grow about three hundred thousand celery plants, divided about equally between Paris Golden and Giant Pascal, with a few thousand Boston Market. The early celery is set two feet by four and one-half inches and lettuce or spinach is sown between the roAvs ; for later we set four feet by four and one-half inches. Lettuce is sown every week, using Black Seeded Tennis Ball altogether. For parsley we use the Double Curled ; carrots, the Intermediate ; onions, the Danvers ; spinach, the Round Thick Leafed and the Pointed Leafed ; dandelions, the Improved Thick Leafed. Of cucumbers we have the White Spine, and use about five hundred hotbed sashes. Of cabbages we have this year about ten thousand, equally divided between All Seasons, All Head, and dumber Two. Of beans we have the Golden Wax and Goddard. The cabbages, cucumbers, and in fact all the crops where it is pos- sible, are succeeded by celery. We use no commercial fertilizers whatever, having an abundance of manure from about twelve hundred pigs. For irrigation we use a sixteen-foot Eclipse wind- mill and a Blake steam-pump. Warren H. Heustis. BussEY Institution, Jamaica Plain. On the 21st of March the Committee visited the greenhouse of the Bussey Institution to see the hardy shrubs and herba- ceous plants, forced by the skilful gardener, Charles Jackson Dawson, whose interesting statement follows : 298 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. BUSSEY IxSTITUTIOIf OF HaRVAKD UNIVERSITY, Jamaica Plaix, Mass. Dear Mr. Barker : Referring to yours of August 12 I would say I should be pleased to give you a brief account of the greenhouse your Com- mittee visited on the 21st of March, 1896. With a few exceptions, the house (which is sixty-five feet long by twenty feet wide) contained nothing but hardy plants, which were forced out of season. The house was an object lesson as to what can be forced with little difficulty, the time taken for bringing the various sorts into bloom varying from ten days to ten weeks. Our method is to store all the material that is to be bloomed in cold pits and frames as soon as the frost appears in autumn, and leave them there at any rate until the turn of the year, January 1st, but more generally until February 1st. The plants are brought in by instalments, the time depend- ing entirely upon how early or late the plants naturally bloom out of doors. Por instance, Kalmia latifoUa, which here blooms outdoors about the middle of June, must be brought into a moderate heat about the first of January. On the other hand, with Erica carnea, which is one of the earliest spring-blooming shrubs, it is only necessary to allow about ten days at this sea- son in order to bring it into bloom. It might be well to arrange the plants thus brought into bloom in three classes, viz. : Shrubs, Herbaceous Plants, and Hardy Bulbs. Amongst the Evergreen Shrubs the most satisfactory were : * Andromeda Jlor'dt Hilda. Erica carnea, in variety. " Japonica. Genista Germanica. '■'■ polifolia. *Kalmia glauca. * " speciosa. * '• latifolia. Berheris Aquifoliuni. Ledum latifolium. ^Daphne Cneoruni. Leucothoe Cateshad. * Rhododendron Catawhiense hyb., the tender sorts being the most satisfactory for forcing. The Deciduous Shrubs that were forced are numerous, so I will only mention the most satisfactory : REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 299 * Azalea, Ghent Hybrids. * " mollis. *Cercis Japonica. ^CijtisxLS scoparius. *Deutzia gracilis. Exochorda grandiflora. Lonicera tatarica. *Prunus cerasus fl. pi. *Pi/rus spectabilis fl. pi. Rhododendron Rhodora. Ribes aureutn. Rosa multiflora. Rosa multiflora, the Dawson. Spirma arguta. " Thunbergii. * " Vanhouttei. *Staphylea colchica. Syringa Chinensis. * " vulgaris Charles the Tenth. * '' '' Marie La- grange. * Viburman opulus. " plicatum. You will notice that I have marked the most desirable shrubs with a star (*). The Herbaceous Plants that were in bloom at the time were few. The noteworthy were : Phlox subxdata, in varieties. Polygonatum giganteum. Primulas. Spircea aruncus. Viola palmata var. cucullata. " pedata. Astilbe (^Sjnrcea) Japonica. " " " mul- tiflora compacta. Cypripedixim acaule. " spectabile. Dicentra sjyectabilis. I cannot pass the Cypripediums without calling special atten- tion to these two beautiful native Orchids. Their forcing quali- ties are grand, the results being more than satisfactory, and I really considered some pans of Cypripedium spectabile the most beautiful plants in our range of houses at the time. The promiscuous display of Spring Flowering Bulbs scattered throughout the Flowering Shrubs helped to make the honse one blaze of bloom. They consisted of : Dutch Hyacinths. Tulips. Hardy ISfarcissuses. Erythroniums. Lily of the Valley. Italian Anemones. Ariscema tripliyllum. And others, all in great variety. Camassia esculenta. Iris Persica. Lilium, Harrisii. " longiflorum. " umbellatum. Muscari botryoides. alba. 300 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The above-mentioned plants, with the exception of a few Ericas, Acacias, Indian Azaleas, and Genistas, made up the con- tents of the house, showing what a complete and satisfactory- show can be made during the winter with our beautiful hardy spring-flowering plants, both native and foreign. To set forth in detail the many points necessary to bring this class of plants to the proper stage would encroach too much upon your time. Hoping this will prove what you desire, I remain very sincerely, Charles JACKS0^r Dawsox. August 28, 1896. Camellia House on the Estate of the late Fraxcis B. Hayes, Oakmoxt, Lexington. Not since the days of Hovey and Wilder has this once pop- ular flower been grown to the perfection in which it is now seen at Oakmont ; indeed at the places mentioned, although there were fine collections, it was not cultivated to the extent that it is here. Many of the plants here were from Mr. Wilder's collection. It is true that the Camellia is not the popular florist's flower that it once was ; still it is altogether too useful to be discarded. If the rose has supplanted it in a great measure, for certain decorative purposes it is superior to the rose. One of the reasons it suc- ceeds so admirably here is the fact that the plants are grown in a bed specially prepared for them. This bed is thirty feet square, and a few are grown in pots. The bed has been planted nine years ; the largest plant in the house stands twelve feet high and ten feet through ; the trunk is eighteen inches in cir- cumference. This plant has produced the present season more than a thousand flowers and buds. The collection comprises fifty-nine varieties. The varieties planted out are : Alba plena (the old Double White). — Flowers pure white; large, full ; petals round, evenly and regularly arranged ; form perfect. Armida Nova. Candidisslnia. — Late blooming, double white; a very 'compact grower ; the plants have a shapely appearance, and flower very freely. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 301 Charles Doivning. C. H. Hovey. — Flowers dark velvety crimson ; petals round and symmetrical, imbricated ; habit vigorous ; foliage rich and ample. C. M. Hovey. — Flowers scarlet crimson, large and regular in outline ; petals finely formed and of great substance ; growth vigorous ; habit fine. Counters of Orkney. — Flowers white, often flaked with crim- son; of medium size, full, cupped ; petals slightly incurved in the early stages of the flower, round, even, and regular; foliage fine. Dunlap's White. Fanny Bolls. Fimhriata. — Flowers white, large, full, flatfish ; the petals are evenly and regularly arranged, the edges finely serrated so as to give them a fringed appearance. It is a variety of alha plena, but less vigorous. ' Imbricata. — Flowers large, perfectly round; cherry red, shaded with carmine lake ; regularly imbricated ; remains a long time in bloom. Madame Louis Van Houtte. — A sport from Jenny Lind. Of vigorous growth and exceedingly floriferous. Flower of good size ; rich rose, shaded and faintly reticulated with clear carmine and bordered with pale rose. Mrs. Abby Wilder. — Flowers white, occasionally faintly shaded with flesh color and striped with lake ; of medium size, full, imbricated, perfect in form ; foliage and habit good. Mrs. Cope. — Flowers blush, flaked and dashed with carmine ; of medium size, full, cupped ; petals rounded, even, and regular ; habit good. Pceonlfiora. President Clark. Heine des Beautes. — Flowers pale flesh color, occasionally tinged or striped with rose ; of medium size, full, flattish ; petals round ; foliage and habit fine. Sacco. — Light rose ; a very free flowering variety. Sarah Frost. — Flowers deep rosy pink, sometimes rayed with white; large, full, flattish; petals round, even, and regular; habit good. Wilderi. — Delicate clear rose ; of the most perfect rose shape, retaining its beauty a long time. Originated by the late Hon. 302 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Marshall P. Wilder, and first exhibited at the rooms of the Mas- sachusetts Horticultural Society, February 14, 1846. The splendid condition of the jjlants was ample proof that the best mode of cultivation had been adopted ; it is doubtful whether another such collection can be found — certainly not in this vicinity. A writer in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica," whose name is not given, says : " To be seen in their full per- fection Camellias should be planted out in borders of properly prepared soil under glass, but these borders should be very effect- ually drained, and of such a mechanical composition as never to become soddened, for the plants require to be almost deluged with water when making their growth and when developing their blossoms. The borders, moreover, when the plants have become well established and the soil full of roots, will require to be assisted by top dressings and by applications of liquid manure. They by no means require a heated structure, nor too much sunlight, but when well established in a cool and somewhat shaded conservatory, may become a source of infinite delight to those who have a love for flowers." William Nicholson's House of Forced Tomatoes, at Fkamingham. Mr. Nicholson writes : " In regard to my house of Tomatoes, they were sown in boxes in October, afterwards transplanted into flats, and again transferred into six-inch pots, and were planted on benches the middle of December, after my chrysanthemums were all cut, in the same loam that the chrysanthemums wei'e grown in, which was well fertilized with Jeffard's animal fertilizer. We also top-dressed them with it about once in two weeks when they began to bear, and fed them with liquid manure. We began to pick the fruit in March, and there was quite a crop on them when we pulled them out on the 15th of July. We cut about four thousand pounds from this house, fifteen by one hundred feet, and were troubled very little by club-root this ^''ear. I think it is on account of using a good quantity of lime. I find that limewater is a very good thing for club-root in roses also." REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OX GARDEN'S. 303 The following article, taken from the " Florists' Exchange," September 5, 1896, is reproduced here as of value to all who are engaged in this industry : Winter FoRCixr; of Tomatoes. Preparations for this work should ik>w be well under way, and if the tomato seed is not already sown no time should be lost in doing so, for every day is of value now. The seed needs to be sown in a light soil, and just as soon as the plants are large enough to handle pot them up, singly, in two-inch pots, using a nice light liberal soil. Grow the plants on carefully and avoid drawing or coddling them, but make a point of keeping them stocky yet not starved. It is essential to their welfare that they never suffer from any kind of neglect. Immediately the roots spread all through the soil, pot up into, say, a four-inch pot, using a more retentive soil, which should consist of good sound loam and short, well-rotted manure. Attend carefully to the watering and keep the plants moving lively, but not foi'ced. Then, as soon as they will stand it, get them potted into their fruiting pots, or planted out on the bench, if so desired. To get early fruit, however, pots are to be preferred, the roots being then more under control. For the final potting the soil requires to be kept more lumpy ; try and retain all the fibre possible, and see that there is ample drainage, so arranged that the water will get away freely. Use a little solid, yet well-rotted, horse or cow manure. A small por- tion of quarter-inch bone may also be used, but it is better to. provide for feeding after the pots are full of roots than to make- the soil very rich at first; for this reason, the more growth the- less liable is one to get a good set of fruit ; and this is important,, for on an early set depends whether or not tomatoes can be picked in December and January. As the plants grow, be careful to trim away all lateral or. side- shoots. It is better to train to a single stem and keep to that unless the plant is very thrifty and shows an inclination to make- a good second stem, which frequently happens. Another point to watch is the distribution of the plants,. thaij they will get the greatest amoiuit of sunshine. That brings us to the question of training, and of doing this there is a variety of methods. Some adopt only a single stake, others make a 304 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. wooden horse or inverted y^, leaving a path so that two sides can be easily attended to, and in this particular, doubtless, this method is by far the best. Our preference is given to the system adopted by W. Turner, at Rockwood, Tarrytown, N.Y. He makes a wire arch on his centre beds, about seven feet high, which he places inside his ^wo rows of plants. This arch is not acute, but well rounded, so that there is abundant room for the plants to grow and rest upon it. A board is placed on the ground underneath the arch, which is high enough to allow of a man doing the work of tying and pruning. The houses are span-roof, eighteen feet wide, so that he gets four rows of plants, two being on the centre bed and one each on the side benches, the plants, individually, standing about eighteen inches to two feet apart. Sometimes they are in pots ; at others, they are planted out. The next question — and a vital one — is that of varieties. Of these there are but few, and we name them in order of excel- lence, according to our exj^erience : Lorillard, Essex Hybrid, Early Michigan, Aristocrat, Early Euby. Very frequently Dwarf Champion is used, and with many it is popular for side benches, but for this purpose we think Early Michigan is better. The fruit is even-surfaced, of good colorj and medium size. Early Ruby will produce lots of fruit, but the corrugations detract from its value. Aristocrat is a heavy tomato, but Lorillard and Essex Hybrid are preeminently the two best. J. VV. The Committee have made the folloAving awards : Special Prize from the John A. Lowell Fu7id. For the best house of Chrysanthemums arranged for effect with other plants, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney , $50 00 Second, Walter Hunnewell 30 00 Sociefi/^s Prizes. For the best house or houses of Chrysanthemums grown on benches, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney . . . 50 00 Second, William Nicholson 30 00 For the best bench or frames of Violets, David Kevins, 40 00 Second, James Comley . . . . ' . . 20 00 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENS. 305 For the best Carnation house, William Nicholson . . $40 00 For the best Fruit Garden, Warren H. Heustis . . • 50 00 For the best Vegetable Garden, E. C. Lewis . . . 50 00 Second, Warren H. Heustis 30 00 Gratuities. Bussey Institution, for a house of Forced Spring Flower- ing Plants 30 00 James Comley, for a house of Camellias plaiited in the ground and well grown . . . . . . 30 00 William Nicholson, for a house of Forced Tomatoes . 30 00 Amount appropriated . Awarded for prizes Awarded for gratuities Balance unexpended . • . Respectfully submitted, John G. Barker, AzELL C. Bowditch, J. Woodward Manning, E. W. Wood, C. N. Bragkett, Joseph H. Woodford, Henry W. Wilson, Jackson Dawson, $500 00 $390 00 90 00 $480 00 20 00 $500 00 Committee. REPORT COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE YEAR 1896. Another year has passed away, and we are called upon to chronicle the events pertaining to our part of the success at- tained by our exhibitions. The same obstacles obstruct the way that we pointed out in our last report, and until Ave have more commodious rooms in which to hold our exhibitions, and suitable accommodations for the comfort of visitors, we cannot expect enhanced receipts for admission. The arrangements of the halls have been good, taking into consideration the limited space at our command, ami we have often been congratulated on their splendid appearance, and more particularly at the Chrysanthemum Show. We are indebted to a good friend of the Society, Jerome Jones, Esq., for the loan of three splendid vases to complete the number applied for by exhibitors, and these together with the five belonging to the Society when filled with chrysanthemums were grand features of the exhibition. If the same number of prizes for large vases of chrysanthemums or other long-stemmed flowers are continued in future Schedules, this will make a good chance for some kindly disposed person to distinguish himself or herself by contributing to the Society some vases to fill up the deficiency which now exists. We constantly bear in mind that, without the hearty cooper- ation of the gardeners, our exhibitions would be utter failures and without interest to them or the public; therefore our Society is under great obligations to this class of intelligent men, and our REPORT or THE COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 307 thanks are tendered to them for their enthusiastic interest in the cultivation and exhibition of flowers and the success of our exhibitions. We would at this time call the earnest attention of the gar- deners to the altered rules and prizes in the new Schedule, now being revised by the Committee on Establishing Prizes, for some of the alterations are of the utmost importance to exhibitors, and deserve very careful attention. We are very happy to say that, notwithstanding the same in- sufficient accommodations are in use as last year, the arrange- ments of the halls have been so carefully studied and carried out that no friction has occurred aud all unpleasantness has been avoided. The amount of money which was placed at the disposal of this Committee for extraordinary expenses has been judiciously ex- pended, always having in view the best interests of the Society. The Treasurer reports the receipts for admission to the Spring Show ........ ^ooo 25 Chrysanthemum Show ...... 767 50 Total f 1,322 75 all of which has gone into the treasury of the Society. The receipts at the Chrysanthemum Show were not so large as last year, although the show was verj^ much superior ; probably owing to two days of storm}^ weather and inadequate accommo- dations for the comfort of visitors. All of which is respectfully submitted. Jos. H. WOODFOED, Chairman. REPORT OF THE Cofflmittee on School Gardens and Children's Herbarinms, FOR THE YEAR 1896. By HENRY L. CLAPP, Chairman. GEORGE PUTNAM SCHOOL GARDEN, ROXBURY. Twenty-seven new species and varieties were placed in the garden during the season of 1896, namely : Antennaria pi antagini folia . Apios tuber osa. AraUa nudicanlis. A^^pidium crUtatum var. Clin- tonianum. Aspidium Goldionum. " spinulosum YSiY . dila- tatum. Biden s fro n dosa . Galiuyn Apurine. Ger(( n mm CaroUnianuvi . " Bobertianum. Ha be u aria lacera . " orbicxdiita. " virescens. Helianthemum Canadense. Hieracium venosum. Houstonia ccerulea. Hypoxis erecta. Lilium Canadense. Lycopodium lucidulum. Pedicularis Canadensis. Phegopteris hexagonoptera. Prenanthes serjyentaria. Pleris aquilina. Trientalis Americana. Trillium erytJirocarpum. " grandiflorum. Viola striata. The ground was well fertilized in the spring at a cost of five dollars. Two new beds of hardy chrysanthemums were made. In October every teacher's desk in the district was decorated with chrysanthemums in variety. The garden contains eleveu vari- eties of German iris. The Clematis paniculata, Euonymus radi- cans, tiger lilies, asters, Vind golden-rods have made exceptionally i'irfii^:^' la^-... -^ ■M '^ ♦^fcr*. r * ^ ASTER CORDIFOLIUS.— George Putnam School Garden. w :!^- "^ A CORNER OF THE FERNERY. — George Putnam School Garden. FOURTH GRADE PUPILS OBSERVING. — George Putnam School Garden. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL GARDENS, ETC. 309 fine growths, owing to the unusual moisture of the season. Six species of native asters have been introduced into the girls' yard spontaneously by seed, and have made vigorous growths. Single plants springing from seed scattered at random blossom much more profusely than clumps of two or more years' standing. Thorough division of clumps is essential to the vigor of the plant and the production of blossoms. A few plants have died out, but most of the plants originally introduced have increased greatly and might aid in establishing other gardens. There are now over one hundred and fifty species of native wild plants in the garden, not to speak of a great variety of hardy cultivated plants. The garden has been used for observation more this year than in any previous year, composite flowers and ferns receiving the most attention. The pupils of the last graduating class studied minutely fifteen species and varieties of ferns, and twenty-two of these pupils introduced ferns into their own gardens at home. The fernery in the angle of the school building on the north side was visited many times for the comparison and identification of species. Many kinds of seed vessels of flowers, as well as the flowers themselves, have furnished excellent material for drawing, especially with pen and ink. The influence of this work has been felt in the preparation of herbariums, a majority of the exhibitors at the last Herbarium Exhibition having enjoyed the advantages of this garden. Il is hoped that the educative value of the garden may be shown by larger numbers of pupils from year to year. In comparison with European countries, especially France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and Russia, school-garden privileges in this country are exceedingly limited. Since 1877 every public school in Berlin, a large city in Prussia, has been regularly sup- plied with plants for study every week, elementary schools receiv- ing specimens of four different species and secondary schools six. During the summer at six o'clock in the morning two large wagons start from the school gardens, loaded with cuttings packed and labelled for the different schools. Tbe daily papers regularly announce what plants may be expected, and teachers consult with the gardeners as to what ought to be sown or planted. Teachers take their classes into the school gardens for lessons in botany, and are aided by the gardeners who cut the specimens. Still more significant is the recent establishment of many school 310 MASSACHUSETTS IIORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. gardens in Southern Russia. lu one province two hundred and twenty-seven schools out of a total of five hundred and four have school gardens, whose total area is two hundred and eighty-three acres. In 1895 these gardens contained one hundred and eleven thousand fruit trees and two hundred thirty-eight thousand three hundred planted forest trees. In them the schoolmasters teach tree, vine, grain, garden, silkworm, and bee culture. They are supported by small grants of money, from the country and district councils. In the villages small orchards and kitchen gardens are connected with many primary schools. This move- ment has also widely spread over different provinces of Central Russia. It is worthy of the attention of a Society like this, at least so far as calling the attention of school officials to the round- ing out of a city child's education iu a very practical manner. The fundamental ideas obtained by a child from direct contact with the things found in the gardens mentioned are not inferior to any ideas obtained from the objects commonly found in a city. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL GARDENS, ETC. 311 CHILDREN'S HERBARIUMS. The Children's Herbariums, November 27 and 28, 1896, filled the Lower Hall. Most of the exhibitors of this year had exhibited specimens before, and had learned by observation hoAV to mount plants with the utmost neatness ; consequently no careless or hasty work was to be found in the entire exhibit. Tliose who are able to compare this exhibit with that of 1891 can appreciate the mani- fest progress that has been made. Tlie herbarium of Arthur E. French, of Sudbury, was a model of neatness. One can imagine how extensive his explorations must have been, and how much labor was involved in the prepara- tion of his exhibit, by considering the following facts : In 1895 he obtained the first prize for one hundred and twent^'^-five flowering plants, the first prize for twenty specimens of sedges, and an extra award for excellence in pressing and mounting specimens. This year he exhibited fifty grasses, including thirteen species of Panicum, and one hundred and twenty-five flowering plants, twent\' sedges, and ten ferns, all different plants from those which he had previously exhibited. Arthur C. Faxon, of Jamaica Plain, made an exhibit equally notable, in the form of a fifth contribution to our Annual Herbarium Exhibition. He exhibited one hundred and twenty-five herba- ceous plants, grasses, sedges, and ferns. When we consider that these were all different species or varieties of plants from the many which he has shown at four previous exhibitions, we can understand how diligently he has worked and how carefully he has observed. His specimens were complete and accurately named. Among them were the rare asters A. Faxoni, A. Herveyi, A. injirmus, and A. sxihulatus. Miss Lura J. Durgin, of Boston, received the first prize for one hundred and twenty-five flowering plants, which were finel}' mounted and showed every essential part. In the case of some specimens the upper part of the plant, including the flowers, was on one sheet and the lower part, including the root, on another. The Committee, with tlUe aid of all the expert assistance they could call in, were not able to name some specimens in this col- 312 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. lection. This shows the need of a permanent herbarium for reference. Miss Carrie P. Webber, of Bedford, who had exliibited here previously, sent one hundred additional flowering plants and fif- teen ferns, the mounting and naming being well done. Five girls and one boy from Roxl)ury, Lulie D. Ellis, Mabel M. Wood, Ada C. Wood, Isabelle F. Wiggin, Genevieve A. Goudy, and John P. Goudy, exhibited excellent mounts of ferns. Gordon Weinz, nine years old, who took a prize for fifty flower- ing plants in 1895, sent in twenty-five additional flowering plants this year. There was only one collection of sprays of leaves, which num- bered thirty-nine sheets. Like the other herbariums, this one, sent by Katheriue A. Dvvyer, of Roxbury, showed great care in its preparation. Mention should be made of Phillips Barry's gift of thirty-six sheets of botanical specimens to the George Putnam School, mak- ing in all one hundred and twenty-seven sheets that he has given to the school. These with the eighty-four sheets of leaf-sprays presented by Arthur C. Faxon make a working herbarium of over two hundred specimens. The attendance was eminently satisfactory, the estimate being about one thousand persons during the two days of the Exhibition. Parents, teachers, and children asked a great many questions, and they will be heard from next year. The thought seemed to prevail that the exhibition was the work of schools and not of individual pupils. Teachers asked, " Now, to what grade does this pupil belong?" Parents seemed to think their children could take no part in the work unless they came in with a school. It is hoped that parents and teachers will induce individual children to engage in preparing herbariums. It is only in getting together a school herbarium that any large number of children may be expected to continue their efforts. The prize of fifty ferns offered by Mr. George E. Davenport for tlie best collection of native ferns sent to the exhibition attracted the attention which it deserved. There were no entries for this prize, owing to a mistaken idea that ferns once exhibited here could not be entered again for this special prize ; therefore the i)arts of fern collections that have been exhibited here annu- ally were left at home. Next j'ear Mr. Davenport will offer two REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL GARDENS, ETC. 313 prizes of ferns, and, now that the matter is understood by those who have exhibited ferns in this hall, we have reason to expect to see some large and fine collections. It seems proper here to mention that a fine botanical building is to be erected at a cost of $250,000 in the Botanical Garden at Bronx River Park, New York. It is but the start of an institution which it is expected will be superior to any similar one in the country. Particular mention is made of an herbarium and a place for it. Perhaps the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in erecting a new building is not going to be outdone by an Associa- tion in New York with $750,000 in hand. The amount appropriated by the Society fo the use of this Committee was Awarded for Herbariums . Awarded for School Gardens Suffolk Engraving Company (cuts) Printing ..... Advertising .... Paper ..... Expressage, posters, stamping, etc $55 75 15 00 10 00 37 50 11 40 9 81 6 54 $250 00 146 00 Balance unexpended $104 00 Henry L. Clapp, Roxbury,' Mrs. H. L. T. Wolcott, Dedham, George E. Davenport, Medford, Miss Katharine W. Huston, Roxbury,' Mrs. p. D. Richards, West Medford, William P. Rich, Chelsea, W. E. C. Rich, Secretary, 99 Moreland st., Roxbury, Mass. Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums. 314 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. PRIZES AND GRATUITIES AWARDED FOR SCHOOL GARDENS AND CHILDREN'S HERBARIUMS. SCHOOL GARDENS. George Putnam School, first prize . . . . children's herbariums. Flowering Plants. — For one hundred and twenty- five specimens, first prize, Lura J. Durgin . Second, Arthur C. Faxon Gratuities : — Arthur E. French, for one hundred and twenty five additions ...... Carrie P. Wilder, for one hundred additions Gordon Weinz, for twenty-five additions Ferns. — For twenty specimens, first prize, John P Goudy . For fifteen specimens, second prize, Carrie P. Webbe: For ten specimens, first prize, Ada C. Wood Second, Isabelle F. Wiggin Gratuities : — Arthur E. French, for ten additions Genevieve A. Goudy, for ten additions Mabel M. Wood, for ten additions Lulie D. Ellis, for seven additions Arthur C. Faxon, for five additions Grasses. — For fifty specimens, first prize, Arthur E. French ........ $15 00 5 00 4 00 7 00 3 50 1 50 3 50 2 00 2 00 1 00 3 00 2 CO 2 00 1 50 1 50 5 00 Gratuity : — Arthur C. Faxon, for nine additions . 2 25 REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL GARDEXS, ETC. 315 Sedges. Gratuities : — Arthur E. French, for twenty additions . . $3 00 Arthur C. Faxon, for eleven additions . . 2 00 Leaf Sprats. — For thirty-nine sheets, first prize, Katheriue A. Dwyer ..... 2 00 Gratuity : — Arthur C. Faxon, for thirty additions ... 2 00 Total for Herbariums and Gardens . . $70 75 REPORT TO THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE YEAR 1896. By GEOEGE CRUICKSHANKS, of Fitchbukg. The Massachusetts HorticiTltural Society began the work of the year with a course of Lectures and Discussions on subjects rehited to the art and science of horticulture, by the following- named speakers : January 11. Hardy Garden Plants, by E. 0. Orpet, South Lancaster. January 18. Conservatism in Scientific Agriculture, by Prof. W. H. Jordan, Orono, Me. Januaiy 25. Stove Plants in their Native Tropics, by Prof. George L. Goodale, Cambridge. February 8. Seed Control: Its Aims, Methods, and Benefits, by Gilbert H. Hicks, Washington, D.C. February 15. Some Scale Insects, by Prof. L. 0. Howard, Washington, D.C. February 29. Some Tendencies and Problems in the Evolu- tion of Species among Parasitic Fungi, by Prof. George F. Atkinson, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. March 14. Ornamental Planting for Parks and Public Grounds, by William S. Egerton, Albany, N.Y. March 21. Grasses, by F. Lamson-Scribner, Washington, D.C. March 28. Manuring Orchards, by Prof. Edward B. Voorhees, New Brunswick, N.J. April 11. Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous, by William C. Bates, Boston. REPORT TO THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 317 The lectures and discussions are printed in the Transactions of the Society. The sum of -f 8,050 was appropriated for Prizes and Gratui- ties for 1896. The Annual Spring Show was held March 24-27. For a num- ber of years much attention has been given to the cultivation of the cyclamen. On a large table at the entrance of the upper hall was the largest and finest show of cyclamens ever seen in Horticultural Hall. The display of spring flowering bulbs, such as fragrant hyacinths, lilies of the valley, narcissuses, jonquils, and tulips was very fine. ]SI"otable among pot plants were Acacia pubescens and A. Drummondii. A fine specimen of the new hardy climbing rose, Crimson Rambler, with nearly two hundred flowers, in fine condition, attracted much attention. The show of cinera- riasj roses, carnations, pansies, and violets was very fine. There was a good display of early vegetables, and winter apples and pears. The Eose and Strawberry Show was held June 23 and 24. The upper hall was devoted to a fine display of roses and large collections of orchids and other flowering plants. In the lower hall about two liundred baskets of strawberries were exhibited. The six baskets of Marshall, four quarts each, on a table near the entrance were the centre of attraction. All the standard varie- ties and many new seedlings were shown. There was a fine show of hothouse grapes, some bunches weighing nearly seven pounds each. The show of early vegetables was not large, but Avas very fine. The Annual Plant and Flower Show opened September 2 for two days. The lower hall was devoted to cut flowers. A raised bank on the platform at the rear of the hall was covered with over twelve hundred dahlias, comprising all sizes and colors and perfect in form. Four long tables were covered with a great variety of cut flowers, including asters, phlox, dianthus, zinnias, and French cannas, with large collections of wild flowers. Pot plants were shown in the upper hall. There were large and fine collections of ferns, palms, crotons, dracsenas, fuchsias, and orchids in variety. Several large tanks of aquatic plants were shown. One tank contained twenty-five choice varieties of Xymphseas and Nelumbiums. The Annual Exhibition of Fruits and Vegetables was held 318 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. October 1 and 2. The show of pears was smaller than usual, but apples were abundant. Many fine specimens of apples were shown, but no outdoor peaches and very few plums. Benjamin G. Smith, of Cambridge, one of the oldest members of the Society, celebrated his eightieth birthday, October 1, by exhibit- ing sixty varieties of hardy native grapes, the largest exhibit ever made by one individual. The show of vegetables was in the lower hall, and included all tlie standard varieties, which Avere all well grown and of good quality. The Annual Chrysanthemum Show opened November 10 and continued four days. The lower hall was filled with cut flowers. Seven large vases were filled with some of the choicest varieties. The tables from the door to the platform were completely filled with a superb display of cut flowers. The upper hall was de- voted to the pot plants. In the centre of the hall were^fine groups arranged for effect. Palms and other foliage plants were used with the chrysanthemums ; the effect was very fine. On one side of the hall were arranged plants in twelve-inch pots that were seven feet broad and five or six feet high, and complete masses of bloom. For large flowers, fine color, and perfect form the Chrysanthemum Show of 1896 has never been equalled. Respectfully submitted, George Ckuickshanks, Delegate. REPORT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR 1896. Cultivators continue to send here for exhibition more illustra- tions of their skill than can be satisfactorily shown in our limited space ; and, in the same way, books and pamphlets continue to •find their way to the library regardless of the lack of accommo- dations they find here ; but the increase of exhibits and of books is not a matter to be deprecated — still less to be curtailed. The remedy in each case is the same, and we should no more cease to acquire books and pamphlets than we should cease to send plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables here to delight and instruct the crowds that throng our halls on all special occasions. The exhi- bitions, the discussions, and the library are three agencies which have taken and will continue to take an equal share in sustaining and extending the renown of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. As usual there is but little to say about this department. The work here continues to fully occupy the Librarian and those who are associated with him. The accessions, which will be enumer- ated as a supplement to the report of the Librarian, have been of the usual number and importance, and those which have been purchased from the income of the Stickney Fund and from the Society's appropriation have exhausted the entire amount as usual. The Card Catalogue of plates will proceed henceforward on a different plan. Mrs. Andrews has retired from her labors, having written cards for nearly every plate which is not in Pritzel's Index, and it is thought that all the cards made neces- 320 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. sary by new acquisitions can be prepared by the force regularly employed. It will be desirable to include in it sometime all which Ave possess that are in Pritzel's Index, but that time is not yet. Your Committee, believing that the library is an agency of very great value, regret that the fund to Avhich it owes so much of its growth is soon to pass into other hands, and hope that means may be found which will enable it to continue its increase in size and usefulness. For the Committee, W. E. Endicott, Chairman. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY AND LIBRARLiN FOR THE YEAR 1896. As Secretary I have to report in regard to the Traxsactions of the Society that the first part for 1896 has been printed and distributed to members and correspondents of the Society. Of the preceding Transactioxs, the List of Library Accessions, which has previously been published in the second part for each year, Avas, by direction of the Committee on Publication, omitted in 1895, in order not to delay other matter, and will appear later as Part III. of the Traxsactioxs for that year. This is the most difficult part of the whole, and requires more labor to pre- sent it correctly, but it is now nearly ready for the printer. The Schedule of Prizes for 1896 Avas, as promised, ready at the be- ginning of the year, — indeed a few days earlier, — and it is ex- pected that that, for 1897 will be equally prompt. The various records of the Society and of Committees, and the correspondence, have been kept up, to the best of the ability of those immediately employed on them. The List of Library Accessions, though not much longer than last year, shows a steady increase. The work of completing sets has been pursued as heretofore. A special effort has been made to procure such publications of the United States Department of Agriculture as we did not already possess. The ivdl list of these publications, received in March, has afforded much assistance in this work ; and the result is that we have now 123 bound vol- umes and 708 pamphlets of that Department, which was estab- lished in 1862, and of the Agricultural Reports of the Patent Office which preceded it. This is more than three-fourths of the whole number, and it is intended to continue the work of col- 322 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. lectiug as opportunity shall offer. Of course, much the greater part of those acquired are from the Department, but material as- sistance has been derived from the donations of the families of the late Charles M. Hovey and Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, both Ex-Presidents of the Society, and of the oSTew England Historic- Genealogical Society. Some idea of the magnitude of the work of collecting these publications may be formed from the fact that during the year ending June 30, 189G, 376 publications were issued by the Department of Agriculture. The work would be much less but for the great irregularity in the receipt of these publications, necessitating frequent applications for publications to fill gaps ; and too often we are informed, though the appli- cation is made as soon as the hiatus is discovered, that the edi- tion is exhausted. A most fortunate acquisition is the Conclu- sion of " Old and Eemarkable Trees of Scotland," published by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, a fragment of which has been on our shelves for thirty years. This interesting little work is now perfected. Ten volumes of the Silva of North America, by our fellow- member, Charles S. Sargent, have been published, volumes nine and ten having been received during the year now closing. It is seldom that a work of the importance and magnitude of this ap- pears so rapidly and promptly. The Phycotheca Boreali-Ameri- cana, a collection of dried specimens of the Algfe of North America, whose leading author. Prank Shipley Collins, is also a member of this Society, has reached its hfth fascicle. The Evolution of Horticulture in New England, by Daniel Denison Slade, another of our members, though smaller, is more generally interesting, and derives additional value from the lamented death of its author soon after its publication. The authors of these three works have all sought and found in this library assistance in their composition. During the year Parts VIII. and IX. of the Marquess of Lo- thian's Monograph of the Genus Masdevallia, completing that magnificent work, have been received. The publication of Fitz- gerald's Australian Orchids, the first part of which was received by us in 1880, which was interrupted by the death of the author, has been resumed, and it is hoped will be soon completed. The Florilegium Harlemense, with colored plates of the flowers of bulbous rooted plants, has been subscribed for and the first num- REPORT OF SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN. 323 ber has been received, and a copy of its predecessor, the Album Van Eeden, has also been obtained. It has ever been the purpose of those charged with the selec- tion of books for purchase to acquire all American works suited to this library, and in pursuance of this purpose we secured at an auction sale a copy of the American Flora or History of Plants and Wild Flowers, with colored plates, by A. B. Strong, M.D., published in New York, 1848 to 1851. The first volume of the Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions, by Nathaniel Lord Britton, Ph.D., and Hon. Addison Brown, published at New York daring the present year, has also been received. In another class of books, L'Horticulteur Franqais, in twenty-one volumes, with many colored plates, pub- lished at Paris from 1851 to 1873, is a valuable acquisition. The culture of Nuts of various kinds is beginning to attract much attention. Previously to this year we possessed only one or two German books on this subject, but this year Ave have added one from the Division of Pomology in the United States Department of Agriculture, on Nut Culture in the United States, with colored and plain plates, and the widow of our lamented Corresponding Member, Andrew S. Fuller, has pre- sented a copy of his book, The Nut Culturist, published since his death. We are indebted to one of our members, Dr. William P. Bolles, for several valuable German works on Medical and Physiological Botany. A Manuscript Journal of horticultural operations, kept in Dorchester from 1822 to 1836, presented by Mrs. J. F. Pratt, is a unique book. It would he interesting to know who was the writer, but the book affords no clew to his name. The extraordinary interest which has grown up in the last two years in Edible Mushrooms has led to a much more general use of our books on that subject, by members and others, and it is a source of gratification that these inquirers have found the Library so well equipped to meet them. It is to be hoped — and we trust it will be so — that when a similar interest shall be awakened in any other subject connected with the work of the Society, the Library may be found equally well prepared, and that books which may now appear comparatively useless may then be found of the highest value. In estimating the value of this library it should never be for- 324 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. gotten that its chief use is as a reference and not as a circulating library. As there seems to be continual danger of misconception on this point, I take the liberty to repeat what was said on it in a report some years ago : " Statistics of circulation are out of the argument as regards a library whose maintenance ensures the pres- ervation of the best fruits of advanced research, in a repository accessible to scholars and students. As has been well said by competent judges, treating of a ' library for advanced students, or for persons making researches of a learned nature,' — ' the benefit reaped from it by the community cannot be reckoned by any method of statistics. It is by means of such collections as this that some of the greatest benefactors of the public are enabled to prosecute their researches and do their work.' " The book of Library Wants, for the reception of the names of such books as may be desired by members, which has been kept at the Librarian's desk for nearly twenty years, is still open for the expression of such desires. I regret that it has not received more entries, and hope that hereafter it may be more freely used. A count of the books, etc., in the Library was made during the summer, which resulted as follows : Books, 9,875 ; Pamphlets, 6,781 ; Nursery and Seed Catalogues, 7,273. I wish here to expi-ess my grateful sense of the appreciation by the Library Committee of the difficulties surrounding the work on the Library, and the heartiness Asdth which the Librarian and his assistants have been supported in the discharge of their duties. Egbert Manning, Librarla7i. TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1896. Massachusetts Horticultural Society in account current to December 31^ 1896, with Charles E. Richardson, Treasurer. 1896. Dr. Dec. 31. To amount paid on account of the Library in 1896 : For books, periodicals, and binding . $400 00 From income of Josiah Stickney Fund for books ...... 684 57 $1,084 57 To amount paid Interest on Funds for Prizes, etc., credited below ..... 1,892 72 To Prizes awarded in 1895 paid in 1896 as follows : For Plants $1,981 06 Flowers ...... 2,517 68 Fruits 1,531 53 Vegetables 1,167 00 " Gardens and Greenhouses . . 485 00 H. H. Hunnewell Prizes for Rhodo- dendrons 105 00 " Special Prize for Palms at Carna- tion Show 100 00 7,887 27 To amount paid Committee on School Gar- dens and Children's Herba- riums ..... . . 146 00 " " Salaries of Secretary, Assist- ant, and Treasurer . . $3,600 00 " " Salaries of Committees . . 1,008 00 " " extra services in Library and on Transactions . . . 657 25 " " Committee of Arrangements . 399 90 Amounts carried forward ...... $5,665 15 $11,010 56 32G MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Amounis hrought forwai •d. $0,665 15 §11,010 56 To amount paid for Insurance . 90 20 " " Repairs . 500 50 II (1 Furniture and Exhibition Ware . . 4 50 11 " Heating . . 526 54 (1 " Lighting . . 849 44 (( 11 Water Rates 247 40 t( (1 Publication and Discus- sion 291 80 <( It Taxes, 1896 2,580 00 (( u Commission 30 00 (I u Incidentals 702 91 " " Stationery, Printing, and Postage 2,232 59 >i " Labor 2,739 10 " paid to Mrs. P. Manning 5,500 00 " " H. H. Hunnewell 4,000 00 " advanced A. P. Loring . 2,500 00 " paid for Legal Services . 550 00 ment 29,010 13 Total pay $40,020 69 Balance c f Cash, December 31, 1896 6,600 61 $46,621 30 TREASURERS REPORT. 327 1896. Cr. Jan. 1. By Balance of account rendered December 31, 1895 By amount received from Building in 1896, viz. : Rent of Stores . . $16,834 14 " Halls , . 3,058 34 S By Income from Mount Auburn " Massachusetts State Bounty " Annual Exhibitions : Gross receipts . . $1,822 75 Less expenses . . 759 66 19,892 48 3,682 87 600 00 — 563 09 Admissions and Assessments 1,288 00 Notes Receivable 304 85 Sales of Transactions . 7 00 Interest on Bonds . $1,272 50 Bank Balance . 29 59 " other sources . 60 00 1 ^ao 00 Josiah Stickney Fund for duplicate book ...... H. H. Hunnewell, prize money for 1895 H. H. Hunnewell Casualty Insurance Company of St Louis ..... Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy R.R Bond, matured Interest credited following Funds charged above : Samuel Appleton Fund . $50 00 John A. Lowell Fund . . 50 00 Theodore Lyman Fund . 550 00 Josiah Bradley Fund , . 50 00 Benjamin V. French Fund . 25 00 II. H. Hunnewell Fund . 200 00 William J. Walker Fund . 117 72 Levi Whitcomb Fund . . 25 00 Benjamin B. Davis Fund . 25 00 Marshall P. Wilder Fund . 50 00 32 00 5,000 00 4,000 00 500 00 r,495 35 Amounts carried fortvard 1,142 72 $37,233 23 $7,495 35 328 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Amounts brought forward . . . . ^1,U2 72 $37,233 23 $7,495 35 J. Lewis Russell Fund . 50 00 Josiah Stickney Fund, as agreed . , . . 700 00 1,892 72 39,125 95 $46,621 30 CHARLES E. RICHARDSON, Treasurer. H. H. HUNNEWELL, N ^-^^^^^^ Francis H. Appleton, K Committee. Augustus Hemenwat, ) treasueek's report. 329 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE MASSACHUSETTS * HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, DECE3IBER 31, 1896. ASSETS. Real Estate §250,000 00 Stereotype Plates and copies of History . . 257 GO Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R.R. Bonds . . 1,000 00 Sinking Fund 23,872 50 Kansas City, Clinton & Springfield R.R. Bonds . 1,980 00 Library 35,897 19 Furniture and Exhibition Ware .... 6,993 41 A. P. Loring, Executor 7,500 00 Due from Tenants ...... 1,535 46 Cash 6,600 61 .$335,636 17 LIABILITIES. Mortgage $1,000 00 H. H. Hunnewell 1,000 00 Josiah Stickney Fund, payable to Harvard Col- lege, 1899 . . 12,000 00 Prize Funds invested in Building : Samuel Appleton Fund, $1,000 00 Theodore Lyman " 11,000 00 John A. Lowell " 1,000 00 Josiah Bradley " 1,000 00 Benjamin V. French " 500 00 H. H. Hunnewell " 3,000 00 William J. Walker " 2,354 43 Levi Whitcomb " 500 00 Benjamin B. Davis " 500 00 820,854 43 Prize Funds invested in Bonds : H. H. Hunnewell Fund $1,000 00 Marshall P. Wilder " 1,000 00 J. Lewis Russell " 1,000 00 3,000 00 23,854 43 Prizes for 1896, payable in 1897 .... 8,050 00 45,904 43 Surplus $289,731 74 CHAS. E. RICHARDSON, Treasurer. 330 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Membership Account of Massachusetts Horticultukal Society, December 31, 1896. • Life Members per last report 563 Added during 1896 23 Commuted from Annual ...... 1 587 Deceased 33 554 Annual Members per last report 222 Added during 1896 20 Reinstated ......... 1 243 Commuted to Life ....... 1 Deceased ......... 13 Resigned ......... 6 Dropped for non-pavment for two years . . . 11 31 212 Present Membership . 766 INCOME FROM MEMBERSHIP. 23 new Life Members (a; $30 $690 00 20 new Annual Members @ $10 . . . •. . . . 200 00 1 commuted to Life ......... 20 00 Annual Assessments ......... 378 00 $1,288 00 CHARLES E. RICHARDSON, Treasurer. TREASURERS REPORT. 331 y s 'l^ - ^ oooooooooo ootoooooooo ursm-i'CJOOl^lOOO d o o o -*• 00 5= «r r-T bo O H o ^ cc >o —1 o •- 5 s 71 ^, S Ol >~> X bo re ,a ,5 -^ " J3 oj 3 ^ a Ol -^ •2 - ^ =« a g -s 2 ^ a( '^ ^ o o ■*3 73 .a a « ;^ SS M i ^ O P 332 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Massachusetts Horticultural Society To the Proprietors of the Cemetery op Mount Auburx, Dr. For one-fourth part of the following expenditures, for the grading new- lands for sale during the year 189G : Birch to Eagle and Cherry Avenues. 102i days, men $230 62 Magnolia Avenue and Vinca Path. 74 days, man and horse $277 50 $230 62 277 50 $508 12 One-fourth of $508.12 is $127 03 JAMES C. SCORGIE, Superintendent of the Cemetery of Mount Auburn. Mount Auburn, December 31, 1896. I certify the foregoing to be a true copy of improvements for the year 1896, rendered by the Superintendent. H. B. MACKINTOSH, Treasurer. Ulassicljusrits ^ijortirultural $ociciLK OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES FOR 1897. President. FRANCIS H. APPLETON, of Peabody. Vice-Presidents. CHARLES H. B. BRECK, of Brighton. WALTER HUNXEWELL, of Welleslet. AUGUSTUS PARKER, or Roxbory. BENJAMIN P. WARE, of Clifton. Treasurer and Superintendent of tlie Building. CHARLES E. RICHARDSON, or Cambridge. Secretary and Librarian. ROBERT MANNING, of Salem, i Professor of Botany and Vegetable Physiology. BENJAMIN M. WATSON, of Jamaica Plain. Professor of Entomology. SAMUEL H. SCUDDER, of Cambridge. Delegate to the State Board of Agriculture. E. W WOOD, of West Newton. 1 Communicalious to the Secretary, on the busiuess of the Societj-, should be addressed to him at Horticultural Hall, Bostou. 334 aiASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. STANDING COMMITTEES. Executive. The Presidekt, FRANCIS H. APPLETON, Chairhan. The Chairman op the Finance Committee, H. H. HUNNEAVELL, Ex officio. WILLIAM C. STRONG. BENJAMIN C. CLARK. WILLIAM II. SPOONER. WALTER HUNNEWELL NATHANIEL T. KIDDER. CHARLES W. PARKER. CHARLES F. CURTIS. Finance. H. HOLLIS HUNNEWELL, of Boston, Chairman. FRANCIS H. APPLETON. AUGUSTUS HEMENWAY. Lectures and Publication. J. D. W. FRENCH, op Boston, Chairman. BENJAMIN M. WATSON. NATHANIEL T. KIDDER. Library. WILLIAM E. ENDICOTT, op Canton, Chairman. GEORGE W. HUMPHREY. WALTER 8. PARKER. EDWIN FAXON. GEORGE E. DAVENPORT. Plants. AZELL C. BOWDITCH, op Somerville, Chairman. JAMES COMLEY. WILLIAM J. MARTIN. JAMES WHEELER. ARTHUR H. FEWKES. Flowers. J. WOODWARD MANNING, op Reading, Chairman. MICHAEL H. NORTON. FREDERICK H. DAVIS. KENNETH FINLAYSON. ' GEORGE E. DAVENPORT. Fruits. E. W. WOOD, OF West Newton, Chairman. CHARLES F. CURTIS. WARREN FENNO. J. WILLARD HILL. O. B. HADWEN. SAMUEL HARTWELL. SUMNER COOLIDQE. Vegetables. CHARLES N. BRACKETT, of Watebtown, Chairman. CEPHAS H. BRACKETT. VARNUM FROST. WALTER RUSSELL, P. G. HANSON. WARREN H. HEUSTIS. AARON LOW. OFFICERS AND STANDING COMMITTEES. 335 Gardens. JOHN G. BARKER, or Boston, Chairmak. CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEES ON PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUITS, VEGE- TABLES, AND ARRANGEMENTS, Ex officiU. • HENRY AV. WILSON. JACKSON DAWSON. For Establishing Prizes. WILLIAM J. STEWART, of Winchester, Chairman. CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEES ON PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUITS, VEGE- TABLES, AND GARDEN^S, Ex officiis. MRS. P. D. RICHARDS. Committee of Arrangements. JOSEPH H. WOODFORD, or Boston, Chairman. CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEES ON PLANTS, FLOWERS, FRUITS, VEGE- TABLES, AND GARDENS, Ex officiis. ROBERT FARQUHAR. MEMBERS FOR LIFE. Members of the Society and all other persons who may know of deaths, changes in residence, or other circumstances showing that the following list is inaccurate in any particular, will confer a favor by promptly communi- cating to the Secretary the needed corrections. Information, or any clew to it, is especially desired in regard to members whose names are marked thus f. Adams, Luther, Brighton. Albro, Charles, Taunton. Alger, Rev. R. F., Becket. Allen, Hon. Charles H., Lowell. Ames, Frank M*, Canton. Ames, George, Boston. Ames, Oakes, 2d, North Easton. Ames, Preston Adams, Boston. Amory, Charles, Boston. Amory, Frederick, Boston. Andrews, Charles L., Milton. Andrews, Frank W., Washington, 1). C. Andros, Milton, San Francisco, Cal. Appleton, Edward, Reading. Appleton, Francis II., Peabody. Appleton, William S., Boston. Ash, John, Pomfret, Conn. Atkins, Edwin F., Belmont. Ayling, Isaac, M. D., Brookline. Bailey, Jason S., West Roxbury. Bancroft, John C, Boston. Banfield, Francis L., M. D., Worces- ter. Barber, J. Wesley, Newton. Barnard, James M., Maiden. Barnard, Robert M., Everett. Barnes, Walter S., Somerville. Barnes, William H., Boston, t Barney, Levi C, Boston. Barratt, James, East Pasadena, Cal. Barrett, Edwin S., Concord. Barry, William C, Rocliester, N. Y. Bartlett, Edmund, Newburyport. Beal, Leander, Boston. Becker, Frederick C, North Cam- bridge. Beckford, Daniel R., Jr., Jamaica Plain. Beebe, E. Pierson, Boston. Beebe, Franklin H., Boston. Beebe, J. Arthur, Boston. Berry, James, Brookline. Birchard, Charles, Framingham. Blake, Francis, Weston. Blake, Frederick A., Rochdale. Blakemore, John E., Roslindale. Blanchard, John W., Dorchester. Blinn, Richard D., Chicago, 111. Bliss, William, Boston. Boardman, Samuel M., Milton. Bocher, Prof. Ferdinand, Cambridge. Bockus, Charles E., Dorchester. Bosler, Frank C, Carlisle, Penn. fBotume, John, Wyoming. Bowditch, .Azeil C, Somerville. Bowditch, Charles P., Jamaica Plain. Bowditch, James II., Brookline. Bowditch, Nathaniel I., Framingham. Bowditch, William E., Hoxbury. Bowker, William II., Boston. MEMBERS FOR LIFE. 337 Brackett, Cephas H., Brighton. Brackett, Charles N., Watertown. Bresee, Albert, Hubhartlton, Vt. Brewer, Francis W., Hingham. Brigham, William T., Honolulu, Hawaii. Brooks, J. Henry, Milton. Brown, Alfred S., Jamaica Plain. Brown, Charles E., Yarmouth, N. S. Brown, Edward J., Weston. Brown, George Barnard, Brnokline. Brown, George Bruce, Framinghani. Brown, John T., Newburyport. BuUard, John II., Dedham. BuUnrd, William S., Boston. Burnett, Harry, Southborough. Burr, Fearing, Hingham. Burr, Matthew H., Hingham. Buswell, Edwin W., Brooklyn, N. Y. Buswell, Frank E., Brooklyn, N. Y. Butler, Aaron, Wakefield. Butler, Edward K., Jamaica Plain. Cabot, Edward C, Brookline. fCadness, Julin, Flu^hillg, N. Y. Cains, William, South Boston. Calder, Augustus P., Bost m. Cameron, Kobert, Cambridge. Campbell, Francis, Cambridge. Capen, John, Boston. Carlton, Samuel A., Boston. Carr, Hon. John, Roxbury. Carter, Charles N., Boston. Carter, Miss Maria E., Woburn. Cartwright, George, Dedham. Chadbourne, Marshall W., Mount Auburn. Chaffin, John C, Newton. Chamberlain, Chauncey W., Boston. Chase, Andrew J., Lynn. Chase, Daniel E , Somerville. Chase, George B., Boston. Chase, William M., Everett. Cheney, Mrs. Elizabeth S., Welles- ley. Childs, Nathaniel K., Boston. Choate, Charles F., Southborough. Christie, William. Newton. Claflin,. Hon. William, Newtonville. Clapp, Edward B., Dorchester. Clapp, James H., Dorchester. Clapp, William C, Dorchester. Clark, Benjamin C, Boston. Clark, B. Preston, Coha.«set. Clark, Miss Eleanor J., Porafret Centre, Conn. Clark, J. Warren, Rockville. Clarke, Miss Cora H., Jamaica Plain. Cleary, Lawrence, West Roxbury. Clough, Micajah Pratt, Lynn. Cobb, Albert A., Brookline. Cobb, John C, Milton. Coburn, Isaac E., Everett. Codman, James M., Brookline. Codman, Ogden, Lincoln. CoUamore, Miss Helen, Boston. Converse, Elisha S., Maiden. Converse, Parker L., Woburn. Coolidge, Joshua, Mount Auburn. Cottle, Henry C, Boston. Cowing, Walter H., West Roxbury. Cox, Thomas A., Dorchester. Coy, Samuel I., Boston. Crawford, Dr. Sarah M., Roxbury. Crocker, Miss S. H., Boston. Crosby, George E., West Medford. tCrowell, Randall H., Chelsea. Cummings, Hon. John, Woburn, Curtis, Charles F., Jamaica Plain. Curtis, George S., Jamaica Plain. Gushing, Livingston, Weston. Gushing, Robert M., Boston. fDaggett, Henry C, Boston. Dana, Charles B., Wellesley. Davenport, Albert M., Watertown. Davenport, Edward, Dorchester. Davenport, George E., Medford. Davenport, Henry, New York. Davis, John, Lowell. Dawson, Jackson, Jamaica Plain. Day, William F., Egypt. Dee, Thomas W., Mount Auburn. Denny, Clarence H., Boston. 338 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Denton, Eben, Dorchester. Dewson, Francis A., Newtonville. Dexter, F. Gordon, Boston. Dickerman, George H., Somerville. Dike, Charles C, Stoneham. DoUber, Thomas, Brookline. Donald, William, West Roxbury. Dorr, George, Dorchester. Dove, George W. W., Andover. Dowse, William B. H., West Newton. Draper, Hon. Eben S , Hopedale. Dreer, William F., Philadelphia, Pa. Dunlap, James H., Nashua, N. H. Durant, William, Boston. Durfee, George B., Fall River. Dutcher, Frank J., Hopedale. Eaton, Horace, Cambridge. Edgar, William W., Waverly. Eldredge, H. Fisher, Boston. tEldridge, E. H., Roxbury. Eliot, Charles, Brookline. Ellicott, Joseph P., Boston. Elliot, Mrs. John VV., Boston. Elliott, William H., Brighton. Endicott, William E., Canton. Endicott, AVilliam, Jr., Boston. Everett, William, Dorchester. Ewell, Warren, Dorchester. Fairchild, Chnrles, Boston. Falconer, William, Pittsburgh, Pa. Farlow, Lewis H., Newton. Farnsworth, Mrs. William, Dedham. Farquhar, James F. M., Roslindale. Farquhar, John K. M. L., Roxbury. Farquhar, Robert, Boston. Faxon, John, Quiiicy. Fewkes, Arthur H., Newton High- lands. Finlayson, Kenneth, Brookline. Fisher, David, Montvale. Fisher, James, Roxbury. fFisher, Warren, R,oxbury. Flagg, Augustus, Boston. Fletcher, George V., Belmont. Fletcher, John W., Chelsea. Fletcher, J. Henry, Belmont. Flint, David B., Boston. Foster, Francis C, Cambridge. Fottler, John, Jr., Dorchester. Fowle, George W., Jamaica Plain. Fowle, William B., Auburndale. French, Jonathan, Boston. French, J. D. Williams. Boston. French, S. Waldo, Jamaica Plain. French, W. Clifford, Newton. Frohock, Roscoe R., Maiden. Galloupe, Charles W., Swampscott. Galvin, John, Boston. Gardner, George A., Boston. Gardner, George P., Boston. fGardner, Henry X., Mount Auburn. Gardner, John L., Brookline. Gibbs, Wolcott, M.D., Newport, R. I. Gill, George B., Medford. Gillard, William, Harrison Square, Dorchester. Gilmore, E. W., North Easton. Gilson, F. Howard, Reading. Glover, Joseph B., Boston. Goddard, A. Warren, Brookline. Goddard, Joseph, Sharon. Goddard, Mrs. Mary T., Newton. Goodell, L. W., D wight. Gorham, James L., Jamaica Plain. fGould, Samuel, Boston. Gowing, Mrs. Clara E , Kendall Green. Gray, James, Wellesley. Gregory, Hon. James J. H., Marble- head. Greig, George, Toronto, Ontario. Grey, Benjamin, Maiden. Guild, J. Anson, Brookline. Hadwen, Obadiah B., Worcester. Hall, Edwin A., Cambridgeport. Hall, George A., Chelsea. Hall. George R., M.D., Warren, R. I. Hall, Lowis, Cambridge. Hall, William F., Brookline. Halliday, William H., South Boston. MEMBERS FOR LIFE. 339 Hammond, Gardiner G., New Lon- don, Conn. Hammond, George W., Boston. Hammond, Samuel, Boston. Hanson, P. G., Woburn. fHarding, George W. , Arlington. Harding, Louis B., Stamford, Conn. PLirdy, F. D., Cambridgeport. Harris, Charles, Cambridge. Harris, Thaddeus William, A. M., Keene, N. H. Harwood, George Fred, Newton. Haskell, John C, Lynn. Hastings, Levi W., Brooklioe. Hatch, Mrs. C S., North Cambridge. Hatch, Edward, Boston. Hathaway, Seth W., Marblehead. Hawken, Mrs. Thomas, Kockland, Me. fHazeltine, Hazen, Boston. Hemenway, Augustus, Canton. HenshaAv, Joseph P. B., Boston. Hews, Albert H., North Cambridge. Heywood, Hon. George, Concord. Hilbourn, A. J., Boston. Hill, John, Stoneham. Hittiiiger, Jacob, Mount Auburn. Hoar, Samuel, Concord. Hodgkins, John E., Portsmouth, N. H. Hoitt, Hon. Charles W., Nashua, N. H. Hollingsworth, Amor L., Milton. Hollis, George W., Grantville. Hollis, John W., Allston. Holmes, Edward J,, Boston. Holt, Mrs. Stephen A., Winchester. Horner, Mrs. Charlotte N. S., George- tiiwn. Horsford, Miss Kate, Cambridge. Hovey, Charles H. , Pasadena, Cal. Hovey, Stillman S., Woburn. Hubbard, Charles T., Weston. Hubbard, Charles Wells, Weston. Hubbard, Gardiner G., Washington, D. C. Hubbard, James C, Everett. Humphrey, George W., Dedliam. Hunnewell, Arthur, Wellesley. Hunnewell, Henry Sargent, Welles- ley. Hunnewell, H. Hollis, Wellesley. Hunnewell, Walter, Wellesley. ' Hunt, Dudley F., Reading. Hunt, Francis W., Melrose. fHunt, Franklin, Boston. Hunt, William H., Concord. Hyde, James P. C, Newton High- lands. Jack, John George, Jamaica Plain. Jackson, Charles L., Cambridge. Jackson, Robert T., Dorchester. Janvrin, William S., Revere. Jeffries, John, Boston. Jenks, Charles W., Bedford. Johnson, J. Frank, Boston. Jones, Jerome, Brookline. Jose, Edwin H., Cambridgeport. Joyce, Mrs. E. S., Medford. Kakas, Edward, West Medford. Kell}', George B., Jamaica Plain, Kendall, D. S., Woodstock, Ont. Kendall, Edward, Cambridgeport. tKendall, Joseph R., San Francisco, Cal. Kendall, Dr. Walter G., Atlantic. Kendrick, Mrs. H. P., Allston. Kennedy, George G., M.D., Roxbury. Kent, John, Brookline. fKeyes, E. W., Denver, Col. Keyes, John M., Concord. Kidder, Charles A., Southborough. Kidder, Nathaniel T., Milton, flvimball, A. P., Boston. King, Franklin, Dorchester. Kingman, Abner A., Brookline. Kingman, C. D., Middleborough. Kinney, John M., Boston. Knapp, Walter H., Xewtonville. Lancaster, Charles B., Newton. Lawrence, .Amory A., Boston. 340 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Lawrence, Amos A., Boston. Lawrence, James, Groton. Lawrence, Jolin, Groton. Learned, Charles A., Arlington. Lee, Charles J., Dorchester. Lee, Daniel D., Jamaica Plain. Lee, Francis H., Salem. Lee, Henry, Boston. Leeson, Hon. Joseph R., Newton Centre. Lemme, Frederick, Oharlestown. Leuchars, Robert B., Boston. Lewis, William G., Framingham. Lincoln, George, Hingham. Lincoln, Col. Solomon, Boston. Little, James L., Brookline. Lockwood, Rhodes, Boston. Lodge, Richard W., Swampscott. Loftus, John P., Dorchester. Loring, Caleb W., Beverly Farms. Luthrop, William S. H., Boston. Lovett, George L., West Newton. tLowder, John, Watertown. Lowell, Augustus, Boston. Luke, Elijah H., Cambridgeport. Lumb, William, Boston. Lunt, William W., Hingham. Lyman, George H., AVareham. Lyman, Col. Theodore, Brookline. Lyon, Henry, M. D., Charlestown. tMalioney, John, Boston. Mallet, E. B., Jr., Freeport, Maine. Mann, James F., Ipswich. Manning, Jacob W., Reading. Manning, Mrs. Lydia B., Reading. Manning, Robert, Salem. Manning, Warren H., Brookline. Marshall, Frederick F., Chelsea. Mason, Col. Frederick, Taunton. Matthews, Nathan, Boston. McCarty, Timothy, Providence, R.L McClure, John, Revere Mc William, George, Whitinsville. Melvin, James C, West Newton. Merriam, Herbert, Weston. Merriam, M. H., Lexington. Merrifield, William T., Worcester. Merrill, Hon. Moody, Roxbury. Metivier, James, Cambridge. Milmore, Mrs. Joseph, Washington, D. C. Minton, James, Boston. Mitton, Edward J., Brookline. Mixter, George, Boston. Monteith, David, Dedham. Montgomery, Alexander, Xatick. Moore, John H., Concord. fMorse, Samuel F., Boston. Moseley, Charles H., Dorchester. Madge, George A., Portsmouth, N. H. Murphy, William Bowen, Boston. Nevins, David, Framingham. Newman, John R., Winchester. Newton, Rev. William W., Pittsfield. Nickerson, George A., Dedham. Norton, Charles W., AUston. Norton, Edward E., Boston. Oakman, Hiram A., North Marsh- field. Olmsted, John Charles, Brookline. Packer, Charles H., Boston. Paige, Clifton H , Maltapan. Paige, John C, Boston. Palmer, Julius A., Jr., Boston. Parker, Augustus, Roxbury. Parker, Charles W., Boston. Partridge, Horace, North Cambridge. Paul, Alfred W., Dighton. Peabody, Francis H., Boston. Peabody, John E., Boston. Peck, O. H., Denver, Col. Peck, William G., Arlington. Peirce, Silas, Boston. Perkins, Edward N., Jamaica Plain. fPerry, George W., Maiden. Philbrick, William D., Newton Centre. Pierce, Dean, Brookline. Pierce, George Francis, Dorchester. 3IEMBERS FOR LIFE. 341 Poor, John R., Boston. Porter, James C, Wollaston. Potter, Joseph S., Frederickshurg, Va. Prang, Louis, Koxbury. Pratt, Laban, Dorchester. Pratt, Lucius G , West Newton. Pratt, Robert M., Boston. Pratt, William, Winchester. Pray, Dr. Mark W., Boston. fPrescott, Eben C, New York. Prescott, William G., Quincy. Pringle, Cyrus G., Charlotte, Vt. Prouty, Gardner, Littleton. Putnam, Joshua H , Newton Centre. Quinby, Hosea M., M.D., Worcester. Eaddin, Everett W., North Cam- bridge. Rand, Miss Elizabeth L., Newton Highlands. Rand, Harry S., North Cambridge. Rand, Oliver J., Camhridgeport. Rawson, Warren W., Arlington. Ray, James F., Franklin. Ray, Hon. James P., Franklin. Ray, Hon. Joseph G., Franklin. Raymond, Walter, Boston. Read, Charles A., Manchester. Reardon, John B., Boston. Reed, George W., Boston. Rice, George C, Worcester. Richards, John J., Boston. Richardson, Charles E., Cambridge. Rinn, J. Ph., Boston. Ripley, Charles, Dorchester. Ripley, Ebed L., Hingham Centre. Robbins, I. Gilbert, Melrose High- lands. Robinson, John, Salem. Robinson, Josepli B., AUston. Robinson, Warren J., Somerville. Ross, Henry, Newtonville. Ross, Waldo 0., Boston. Ruddick, William H., M. D., South Boston. Russell, George, Woburn. Russell, Hon. John E., Leicester. Russell, Walter, Arlington. Salisbury, William C. G., Boston. Sanford, Oliver S., Hyde Park. Sargent, Charles S., Brookline. Saville, Richard L., Brookline. Sawtelle, Eli A., Boston. Sawyer, Timothy T., Boston. Scorgie, James C, Cambridge. fScott, Charles, Newton. Sears, Miss Clara E., Boston. Sears, J. Montgomery, Boston. Shaw, Christopher C, Milford, N. H. Shorey, John L., Lynn. Shuman, Hon. A., Roxbury. Siebrecht, H. A., New Roohelle, N. Y. Simpkins, Hon. John, Yarmouthport. Skinner, Francis, Boston. Smith, Benjamin G., Cambridge. Smith, Calvin W., Wellesley Hills. Smith, Charles H , Jamaica Plain. Smith, Charles S., Lincoln. Smith, Edward N., San Francisco, Cal. Smith, George 0., Boston. Smith, Thomas Page, Waltham. Snow, Eugene A., Melrose. Snow, Miss Salome H., Brunswick, Me. Spaulding, Edward, West Newton. Speare, Alden, Newton Centre. Spooner, William H., Jamaica Plain. Sprague, Hon. Charles F., Brookline. Springall, George, Maiden. Stearns, Frank W., Newton. Stedman, Henry R., M. D., Roslin- dale. Stewart, William J., AVinchester. Stone, Charles W., Boston. Stone, Prof. George E., Amherst. Stone, George F., Chestnut Hill. Strater, Herman, Roxbury. Strong, William C, Waban. Sturgis, Russell, Manchester. Sturtevant, E. Lewis, M.D., South Framingham. 342 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Surette, Louis A., Concord. Swain, Charles E., Roxbury. Sweet, Everell F., Maiden. Taft, John B., Cambridge. Talbot, Mrs. I. Tisdale, Boston. Tarbell, George G., M. D., Boston. Taylor, Horace B., Portland, Me. Temple, Felker L., Boston. Tenney, C. H., Methnen. Thompson, Leonard, Woburn. Thurlow, Thomas C, West Newbury. Tilton, Stephen W., Roxbury. Todd, John, Hingham. Tolman, Benjamin, Concord. Toppan, Roland W., Maiden. Torrey, Everett, Charlestown. Trepess, Samuel J., Spokane, Wash. fTurner, John M., Dorchester. Turner, Roswell W., Boston. Underwood, William J., Belmont. Vander-Woerd, Charles, Waltham. Vinal, Miss Mary L., Somerville. Wainwright, William L., Braintree. Wakefield, E. H., Cambridge. Walcott, Henry P., M.D., Cambridge. Waldo, C. Sidney, Jamaica Plain. Wales, George 0., Braintree. Walker, Edward C. R., Roxbury. Walker, Miss Mary S., Waltham. Walley, Mrs. W. P., Boston. Walton, Daniel G., Wakefield. Ward, Francis Jackson, Roxbury. Ward, John, Newton Centre. Ware, Benjamin P., Clifton. Ware, Miss Mary L., Boston. Washburn, Andrew, Hyde Park. Watson, Benjamin M., Jamaica Plain. Watson, Thomas A., East Braintree. Watts, Isaac, Waverly. Webber, Aaron D., Boston. Weld, Christopher Minot, Jamaica Plain. Weld, George W., Newport, R. I. Weld, Otis E., Boston. Weld, Richard H., Boston. West, Mrs. Maria L., Neponset. Weston, Leonard W., Lincoln. Weston, Seth, Revere. Wheeler, Frank, Concord. Wheelwright, A. C, Brookline. Whitcomb, William B., Medford. White, Francis A., Brookline. White, Joseph H., Brookline. Whitney, Arthur E., Winchester. Whitney, EUerton P , Milton, Whitten, Charles V., Dorchester. Whittier, Hon. Charles, Roxbury. Whittier, George E., Groton. Wilbur, George B., West Newton. Wilder, Edward Baker, Dorchester, Wilder, Henry A., Maiden. Willard, E. W , Newport, R. I. Willcutt, Levi L., West Roxbury. Williams, Aaron D., Boston. Williams, Benjamin B., Boston. Williams, Philander, Taunton. Willis, George W., Chelsea. Willis, Joshua C, Roxbury. Wilson, Col. Henry W., Boston, Wilson, William Power, Boston. Winthrop, Robert C, Jr., Boston. Wood, William K., West Newton. Woods, Henry, Boston. Wright, George C, West Acton, Wyman, Oliver B., Shrewsbury. ANNUAL MEMBERS. Members of the Society and all other persons ivlio may know of deaths, changes of residence^ or other circumstances showing that the following list is inaccurate in any particular, will confer a favor hy promptly communi- cating to the Secretary the needed corrections. Abbott, Samuel L., M D , Boston. Allen, Charles L., Floral Park, N. Y. AUes, William H., Hyde Park. Anderson, George M., Milton. Arnold, Mrs. Anna E., Roxbury. Atkinson, Edward, Brookline. Badlam, William H., Dorchester. Barker, John G., Boston. Benedict, Washington G., Boston. Bigelow, Arthur J., Eastlake, Worces- ter. Bigelow, Mrs. Nancy J., South- borough. Bird, John L., Dorchester. Bird, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth, Roxbury. Bliss, Benjamin K., East Bridge- water. Book, William A., North Cambridge. Bolles, Matthew, Boston. Bolles, William P., M. D., Roxbury. Bouve, Lander M., Brookline. Boyden, Clarence F., Taunton. Breck, Charles H., Newton. Breck, Charles H. B., Brighton. Brooks, George, Brookline. Brown, David H., West Medford. Butler, Edward, Wellesley. Carpenter, Frank O., West Roxbury. Carroll, James T., Chelsea. Carter, Mrs. Sarah D. J., Wilming- ton. Chase, Joseph S., Maiden. Chase, Leverett M., Roxbury. Chase, Philip A., Lynn. Cheney, Amos P., Natick. Chubbuck, Isaac Y., Roxbury. Clapp, Henry L., Roxbury. Clark, John Spencer, Boston. Clark, Joseph, Manchester. Clark, Tlieodore M., Newtonville. Clarke, P'rederick E., Lawrence. Collins, Frank S., Maiden. Comley, James, Lexington. Coolidge, David H., Jr., Boston, Coolidge, Sumner, Mount Auburn. Cotter, Lawrence, Dorchester. Cotting, Charles U., Boston. Councilman, Prof. W. T., Boston. Crosby, J. Allen, Jamaica Plain Curtis, Joseph H., Boston. Curtis, Louville, Tyngsborough. Davis, Frederick, Boston. Davis, Frederick S., West Roxbury. Davis, Thomas M., Canibridgeport. Dawson, Charles Jackson, Jamaica Plain. Dimick, Orlendo W., Watertown. Dolbear, Mrs. Alice J., College Hill. Doran, Enoch E., Brookline. Doyle, William E., East Cambridge. Duffley, Daniel, Brookline. Eaton, Warren E., Reading. 344 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Endicott, Miss Cliarlotte M., Canton. Ewell, Marshall F.,Marshfield Hills. Faxon, Edwin, Jamaica Plain. Felton, Arthur W., West Newton. Fenno, Warren, Revere. Fisher, Sewall, Framinsrham. Fitzgerald,' Desmond, Brookline. Fletcher, Fred W., Auburndale. Forbes, William H., Jamaica Plain. French, Charles G., Utica, N. Y. Frost, Artemas, Belmont. Frost, George, West Newton. Frost, Varnum, Arlington Fuller, T. Otis, Needham. Gibbon, Mrs. James A., Brookline. Gill, Mrs. E. M., Medford. Gilnian, Hon. Virgil C., Nashua, N. H. Grant, Charles E., Concord. Grew, Henry Sturgis, Boston. Hall, Charles H., M. D., Boston. Hall, Stacy, Boston. Hall, William T., Revere. Hallstram, Charles W., Boston. Hargraves, William J., Jamaica Plain. Harris, Miss EUt-n M., Jamaica Plain. Harris, Frederick L., Wellesley. Harrison, Thomas, Melrose High- lands. Hartwell, Samuel, Lincoln, Hatfield, T. D., Wellesley. Henshaw, Samuel, West Brighton, N. Y. Hersey, Alfred H., Ilinghani. Hersey, Edmund, llingham. Heustis, Warren II., Belmont. Hewett, Miss Mary C, Canton. Hill, J. Willard, Belmont. Hobbs, George M., Boston. Hollis, George, South Weymouth. Horton, Herbert A., Brookline. Houghton, George S., West Newton. Howard, J. W., Sonierville. Hubbard, F. Tracey, Cambridge. Huston, Miss Katherine W., Rnx- bury. Ireland, Robert D., Winthrop. James, Robert Kent, Dorchester. Jameson, G. W., Ea^t Lexington. Keith, Miss Mary R., Washington, D C. Kemp, William S., Brookline. Kenrick, Miss Anna C, Newton. Lancaster, Mrs. E. M., Roxbury. Lawrence, Henry S., Roxbury. Lee, William W., Northampton. Lincoln, Miss Agnes W., Medford. Loraax, George H., Somerville. Lombard, Ricliard T., Wayland. Loring, Charles G., Boston. Loring, John A., North Andover. Loring, William C, Beverly. Lothrop, Thornton K., Boston. Loud, Miss Mary E., Roxbury. Low, Hon. Aaron, Hingham. Lowell, John, Newton. Manda, W. A., South Orange, N. J. Manning, A. Chandler, Reading. Manning, J. Woodward, Reading. Martin, William J., Milton. Masten, Cornelius E., Roxbury. May, F. W. G., Boston. McDowell, Mrs. Mary, Cambridge. McLaren, Anthony, Forest Hills. McMullen, Edgar, Boston. Meriam, Horatio C, D.M.D., Salem. Merrill, Joiin J., Roxbury. Milman, William, Roxbury. Moore, George D., Arlington. Moseley, Frederick Strong, West Newbury. Munson, Prof. W. M., Orono, Me. Newton, John F., Roxbury. Nicholson, William, Framingham. ANNUAL MEMBERS. 345 Norton, Michael H , Bos-ton. Norton, Patrick, Boston. Olmsted, Frederick Law, Brookline. Park, William D., Boston. Park, William P., West Boxford. Parker, John, Newtonville. Parker, Walter S., Reading. Patterson, William, Quincy. Peirce, George H., Concord. Peterson, Ellis, Jr., Jamaica Plain. Petremant, Robert, New York, N. Y. Pickman, Dudley L., Boston. Pigott, Thomas E., Winthrop. Plimpton, Willard P., West Newton. Power, Charles J., South Framing- ham. Prichard, Joseph V. , Dorchester. Purdie, George A., Wellesley Hills. Rich, I\Iiss Ruth G., Dorchester. Rich, William E. C, Roxbury. Rich, William P., Chelsea. Richards, Mrs. P. D., West Medfurd. Robbins, Oliver R., Weston. Robinson, Walter A., Arlington. Ross, Charles W., Newtonville. Ross, Henry Wilson, Newtonville. Rothwell, James E., Brookline. Saunders, Miss Mary T., Salem. Sawtelle, J. M., Fitchburg. Schmitt, Georg A., Boston. Scott, Augustus E., Lexington. Scudder, Samuel H., Cambridge. Searles, E. F., Methuen. Seaver, Edwin P., LL. D., Waban. Sharpies, Stephen P., Cambridge. Shaw, Hon. Edward P., Newburyport. Sheppard, Edwin, LoAvell. Smith, Archibald, Somerville. Souther, Charlt-s H., Jamaica Plain. Southworth, Edward, Quincy, Squire, Miss E.^ther A., North Cam- bridge. Stearns, Mrs. CharK s A., East WattTtown. Stearns, Charles H., Brookline. Stevens, Miss Mary 0., North An- dover. Stone, Joshua C, Watertown. Storer, Charles, Providence, R. I. Story, Miss Sarah W., Brighton. Swan, Charles W., M. D., Boston. Tailby, Joseph, Wellesley. Talbot, Josiah W., Norwood. Teele, William H., West Acton. Terry, Rev. Calvin, North Wey- mouth. Toby, Rufus T., Roxbury. Travis, Charles B , Brighton. Tyndale, Theodore H., Brookline. Vaughan, J. C, Chicago, III. Walsh, Michael H., Wood's Holl. Warren, Samuel H., Westou. Webster, Hollis, Cambridge. Welch, Patrick, Dorcliester. Weld, Charles E., Roslindale. Wells, Benjamin T., Newtonville. Westwood, Thomas H., Jamaica Plain. Wheeler, James, Brookhne. White, Maurice P., Roxbury. White, W. Henry, Lowell. Whitney, Joseph, Cambridgepoft. Whiten, Hon. Starkes, Hingham Centre. Wilcox, George D., M. D., Provi- dence, R. I. Winter, William C, Man:jfield. Wolcott, Mrs. Henrietta L. T., Dedham. Wood, Mrs. Anna D., West Newton. Wood, Elijah A., West Newton. Wood, E. VV., West Newton. Woodford, Joseph H., Boston. Woods, Henry F., Boston. Wortliington, Roland, Ro.xbury. Young, Arthur W., Hingh.im. Young, Charles S., Newton Centre. Young, E. Bentley, Boston. Zirngiebel, Denys, Needham. 346 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. EXTRACTS FROM THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. SECTION XXII. Life Members. Tbe payment of thirty dollars shall constitute a Life Membership, and exempt the member from all future assessments, and any annual member, having paid all dues, may become a Life Member by the payment of twenty dollars in addition thereto. Annual Membership. Every annual member, before he receives his diploma, ot exercises the privileges of a member, shall pay the sura of ten dollars as an admission fee, and shall be subject afterwards to an annual assessment of two dollars. SECTION XXIII. Withdrawal or Discontinuance of Membership. Any member may withdraw from the Society, on giving notice to the Treasurer and paying the amount due from him. Any member who shall neglect for the space of two years to paj' his annual assessment, after due notice from the Treasurer, shall cease to be a member. The Treasurer shall give notice of such withdrawals or discontinuances to the Secretary, who shall erase such members' names from the list. The attention of Annual Members is particularly called to Section XXIII. HONOKARY MEMBEES. Members and correspondents of the Society and all other persons who may know of deaths, changes of residence, or other circumstances showing that the following list is inaccurate in any particular, will confer a favor hy promptly communicating to the Secretary the needed corrections. Informatian, or any clew to it, is especially desired in regard to Joseph Maxwell, elected in 1830, and George W. Smith, elected in 1851. Hon. George S. Boutwell, Groton. H. W. S. Cleveland, Chicago, 111. Hon. Joseph S. Fat, Wood's Holl. Joseph Jefferson, Buzzard's Bay. Major L. A. Hdguet-Latour, M. P., Montreal, Canada. Col. Theodore Lyman, Brookline. Joseph Maxwell, Rio Janeiro, Brazil. Donald G. Mitchell, New Haven, Conn. Hon. J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, 1). C. Baron R. Von Osten Sacken, Heidelberg. Germany. Samuel B. Parsons, Flushing, N. Y, Samuel R. Patson, Boston. George W. Smith, Boston. CORRESPONDING MEMBERS. Memhers and correspondents of the Society and all other persons tvho may know of deaths, changes of residence, or other circumstances showing that the following list is inaccurate in any particular, -will confer a favor by ipromptly reporting to the Secretary the needed corrections. Information, or any cleiv to it, is especially desired in regard to Alexander Burton, elected in 1829, S. Reynolds, M. D., 1832. and Francis Suramerest (or Summerer), 1833. Edouard Andre, Editor in Chief of the Revue Horticole, Paris, France. Professor L. H. Bailey, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. Charles Baltet, President de la Socicte Horticole, Vigneronne, et For- estier-? de I'Aube, Truyes, France. Napoleon Baumann, Bolwiller, Alsace. 1). W. Beadle, 303 Crawford St., Toronto, Ontario. Pkofessor AVilliam J. Beal, Agricultural College, Michigan. Prosper J. Berckmans, President of the American Pomological Society, Augusta, Ga. Charles E. Bessey, Ph.D., Professor of Botany in the Industrial College of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Dr. Ch. Bolle, Berlin, Prussia. John Croumbie Brown, LL.D., Haddington, Scotland. Professor J. L. Budd, Secretary of the Iowa Horticultural Society, Ames. William Bull, Chelsea, England. Alexander Bcrton, United States Consul at Cadiz, Sp;iin, Philadelphia. IsiDOR Bush, Bushberg, Jefferson Co., Mo. George W. Campbell, Ex-President of the Ohio State Horticultural Society, Delaware, 0. Ma.xime Cornu, Director of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, France. Benjamin E, Cotting, M. D., Boston. Daniel T. Curtis, Dorchester. Rev. H. Honywood D'Omhrain, AVestwell Vicarage, Ashford, Kent, England. Robert Douglas, AVaukegan, 111. Malcolm Dunn, Dalkeith, Scotland. W. T. TiiisELTON Dyer, C. M. G., F. R. S., Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. CORRESPOXDING MEMBERS. 349 Parker Earle, President of tlie American Horticultural Society, Cobden. 111. George Ellwanger, Rochester, N. Y. Henry John Elwes, F. L. S., F. Z. S., Colesborn, Andoversford, Gloucester- shire, England. William G. Farlow, M. D., Professor of Cryptoganiic Botany, Harvard University, Cambridge. B. E. Fernow, Chief of the Division of Forestry, Department of Agricult- ure, Washington, D. C. Hon. Robert W. Furnas, Ex-President of the Nebraska State Horticultural Society, Brownville. Charles A. Goessmann, Ph. D., LL. D., Chemist of the Hatch Experiment Station of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst. George L. Goodale, M. D., Professor of Botany, Harvard University, Cambridge. Obadiah B. Hadwen, President of the Worcester County Horticultural Society, Worcester. Professor Byron D. Halsted, Botanist and Horticulturist at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, New Brunswick, N. J. J. H. Hart, Superintendent of the Botanic Garden, Trinidad. Dr. F. M. Hexamer, Editor American Agriculturist, New York. Robert Hogg, LL. D. , Editor of the Journal of Horticulture, London. J. C. Holding, Ex-Treasurer and Secretary of the Cape of Good Hope Agricultural Society, Cape Town, Africa. Rev. S. Reynolds Hole, Rochester, England. Sir Joseph Hooker, K. C. S. I., The Camp, Sunningdale, England. JosiAH HooPES, West Chester, Pa. George Husmann, Napa, Cal. William J. Johnson, M. D., Fort Gaines, Ga. Charles Joly, Vice-President of the Societe Nationale d'Horticulture de France, Paris. Dr. George King, Superintendent of the Roj'al Botanic Garden, Calcutta. Professor William R. Lazenby, Secretary of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbus, O. Max Leichtlin, Baden-Baden, Germany. G. F. B. Leighton, President of the Norfolk Horticultural and Pomological Society, Norfolk, Va. Victor Lemoine, Nancy, France. J. Linden, Ghent, Belgium. T. T. Lyon, President of the Michigan Horticultural Society, South Haven. Dr. p. MacOwan, Director of the Botanic Garden, Cape Town, Africa. Dr. Maxwell T. Masters, Editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle, London. George Maw, Benthal, Kinley, Surrey, England. T. C. Maxwell, Geneva, N. Y. Thomas Meehan, Germantown, Pa. Dr. Charles Mohr, Mobile, Ala. 350 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIIOTY. Dr. Daniel Morris, C. M. G., D. Sc, M. A., F. L. S., Assistant Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. Ch. Naudin, Antibes, France. Geokgk Nicholson, Curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. William Paul, Waltham Cross, London, N. Professor D. P. Penhallow, Director of the Botanic Garden, Montreal, Canada. Henry Prohasco, Cincinnati, 0. P. T. QuiNN, Newark, N J. Cavali^re Enrico Ragusa, Palermo, Sicily. D. Redmond, Ocean Springs, Miss. S. Reynolds, M. D., Schenectady, N. Y. William Robinson, Editor of The Garden, London. Edgar Sanders, Chicago, 111. William Saunders, Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. William R. Smith, Curator of the Botanic Garden, Washington, D. C Robert W. Starr, Port William, N. S. Dr. Joseph Stayman, Leavenworth, Kan. William A. Stiles, Editor of Garden and Forest, Deckertown, N. .T. William Sumner, Pomaria, S. C. Francis Summerest. William Trelease, Director of the Missouri Botanic Garden, St. Louis. Dr. Melcuior Treub, Director of the Botanic Garden, Buitenzorg, Java. H. J. Veitch, Chelsea, England. Henry L. de Vilmorin, Secretary of the Societe Nationale d'Agriculture de France, Paris. TRANSACTIONS 9a$$acj)ii5ttts horticultural ^ocictg, FOR THE YEAR 1896. PART III, BEING THE LIST OF ACCESSIONS TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE YEAR. BOSTON : PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 1899. Library Accessions, i896. In the following list the books purchased from the income of the Stickney Fund are marked S. F., and those purchased from the Society's Library Appropriation, L. A. All others were received by donation and exchange, and the source whence received is given in every instance when known. The measurements of the books are in inches and tenths of an inch, giving first the height, next the thickness, and lastly the width. When a pamphlet is less than one-tenth of an inch in thickness the place of that dimension is supplied by a dash. GENERAL HORTICULTURE. Slade, Daniel Denison. The Evolution of Horticulture in New England. Half light brown calf, 7. X. 8X4. 5, pp. v, 180. New York and London, and New Rochelle, N. Y. : 1895. The Author. Horticultural Directory and Year Book for 1896. 37th year of publica- tion. Blue-green paper, 7. X. 9X4.8, pp. 512. London: (1896). S. F. Garden Oracle and Illustrated Floricultural Year Book, 1896. By the Editor of "The (iardeners' Magazine." 38th year of publication. Half red cloth, 7.3X.8X5., pp. 276; 1 colored plate, cuts. London: (1896). S. F. Bailey, L. H. Plant-Breeding. Being five lectures upon the amelioration of domestic plants. (Garden-Craft Series). Light green linen, 7.x. 7X5. 8, pp. xii, 293; 20 cuts. New York and London: 1895. S. F. Hibberd, Shirley, F. R. H. S. Profitable Gardening; a practical guide to the culture of vegetables, fruits, and other useful out-door garden products; intended for the use of amateurs, gentlemen's gardeners, allotters, and growers for market. New edition. Green cloth, 7.3X.8X5., pp. iv, 296; cuts. London: n. d. S. F. Sanders, T. W., F. R. H. S. An Encyclopaedia of Gardening. A Dictionary of Cultivated Plants, etc. Second Edition. Olive-green cloth, 7.4X1.3X5., pp. 435. London : 1896. S. F. The Garden that Paid the Rent. Boards, salmon-color, 7.3X.5X4.7, pp. 127. London: 1860. S. F. Lazenby, William R. Horticulture and Health. Address by William R. Lazenby, Vice-President, Section 1, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science at the Buffalo Meeting, August 1896. [Proc. A. A. A. S., Vol. XLV, 1896.] Pamph., drab, 9.6X — X6.1, pp. 18. The Author. 354 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. GENERAL HORTICULTURE, continued. (Manuscript Journal of Gardeuing Operations. Aug, 10, 1822 to May 8, 1836.) Red flexible leather covers, 7.4X.3X4.5, pp. (78). Mrs. J. F. Pratt. HORTICULTURAL JOURNALS. Northwest Horticulturist, Agriculturist, and Dairyman. Vol. 9. Nos. 1-12. 12 pamphs., 15. X — Xll., pp. 191; cuts. Tacoma and Seattle, Washington: 1896. C. A. Tonneson, Secretary State Board of Horticulture, Tacoma, Washington. L'Horticulteur Frangais de mil huit cent cinquante et un. .Tournal des Amateurs et des interets horticoles. Redige par F. Herincq. Vols. 1- (21). 1851-1872. Half black leather, 9. 4X 1.X6.2, colored plates, cuts. Paris : 1851-1872. S. F. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. New Hampsllire Horticultural Society. Premium List for the Third Annual Exhibit, Concord, Sept. 22-24, 1896, together with the Rules and Regulations of the Society. Pamph., drab, 7.6X — X5.4, pp. 17. Concord, N. H. : 1896. W. D. Baker, Secretary. Melrose Amateur Gardeners' Society. Rules concerning the Exhibition of Sept. 7, 1896. List of Prizes, etc. Pamphs., 5.7-8.6X— X4.3-5.5. George H. Wills, President. Worcester County Horticultural Society. Schedule of Premiums, for the year 1896. Pamph., 9.2X — X5.7, pp. 31. Worcester: 1896. E. W. Lincoln, Secretary. Hhode Island. Horticultural Society. Chrysanthemum Exhibition, Prov- idence, R. I., Nov. 1896. Premium List. Pamph., 8.3X— X5.5, pp. (4). C. W. Smith, Secretary. "Western New York Horticultural Society. Proceedings of the Forty-flrst Annual Meeting, held at Rochester, Jan. 22 and 23, 1896. Pamph., terra-cotta, 8.3X.2X5.7, pp. 155. Rochester: 1896. John Hall, Secretary and Treasurer. New Jersey State Horticultural Society. Proceedings at its Twenty-first Annual Session, held at Trenton, N. J., Jan. 2 and 3, 1896. Pamph., gray, 8.9X.4X5.8, pp. 164, (2). Mount Holly, N. J.: 1896. Henry I. Budd, Secretary. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Transactions. Vol. 1. Including the papers read from December, 1894, to December, 1895, with a description of the exhibition of 1895, and of the ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the new building. Pamph., drab, 9.X .4X5.8, pp. 152; 2 plates. Philadelphia: 1896. Schedule of Prizes at the Annual Exhibition of Chrysanthemums, Flowers, Plants, Fruit and Vegetables, Nov. 10-14, 1896. To which is appended a list of premiums offered for competition at the LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 355 monthly meetings of the Society during 1896. Pamph., light green, 9. 2X. 1X5. 9, pp. 27. Phihadelphia : 1896. Horticultural Hall, Philadelphia. Plans of the Building and Statements as to its Erection. Pamph., tea, 7.5X.1X5.3, pp. 21; 2 plates, plans. Philadelphia : 1894. David Kust, Secretary. Peninsula Horticultural Society. Transactions. 2d, and Gth to 9th Annual Sessions. January, 1889, and January, 1893 — January, 1896. 5 pamphs., tea, terra-cotta, etc., 8. 7-9. 2X .2X6., pp. 86, 88, 82, 102, 110. Wilmington and Dover, Del. : (1889) and 1893-1896. Prof. Wesley Webb. North. Carolina State Horticultural Society. Sixteenth Annual Meeting, Southern Pines, N. C, August 20-21, 1896. Program. Pamph., blue, 8.5X— X5.4, pp. (4). Gerald McCarthy, Secretary. Ohio State Horticultural Society. Twenty-ninth Annual Report. For the year 1895-6. Pamph., pink, 9.4X.4X6.5, pp. 244; 1 plate, cuts. W. W. Farnsworth, Secretary. Columbus (Ohio) Horticultural Society. Annual Report. For the year ending December 31, 1895. Containing Constitution, List of Mem- bers, and Quarterly Journal. Vol. 10. Prepared by J. S. Hine, Secretary. Dark green cloth, 9.X.7X6., pp. viii, 172, (3); 2 plates, 1 portrait. Columbus : 1896. The Secretary. Indiana Horticultural Society. Transactions for the year 1895, being a report of the Thirty-fifth Annual Meeting held in Indianapolis, Dec. 3-5, 1895, together with reports of the Summer Meeting held at South Bend, August 21 and 22, etc. Black cloth, 9. IX. 5X6., pp. 175. Indianapolis : 1896. James Troop, Secretary. Chicago Horticultural Society. Annual Fall Exhibition, Nov. 10-14, 1896. Preliminary List, Revised List, Programme and Revised List. 3 pamphs., 8.7X— X5.8, pp. (12), (12), 24. Edgar Sanders. Minnesota State Horticultural Society. Annual Report. Vol. XXIII. 1895. Embracing the Transactions of the Society from Jan. 8, 1895, to Dec. 3, 1895, including the eleven numbers of " The Minnesota Horticulturist" for 1895. Black cloth, 9.3X1.3X6.3, pp. 505; 9 plates, cuts. Minneapolis : 1895. A. W. Latham, Secretary. Missouri State Horticultural Society. Thirty-eighth Annual Report. Meetings at Willow Springs, June 4-6, and Neosho, December 3-5, 1895. L. A. Goodman, Secretary. Red cloth, 9.3X 1.X6., pp. 428, ill; frontispiece, 3 plates, cuts. Jefferson City : 1896. L.A.Good- man, Secretary. [10 copies.] Kansas State Horticultural Society. Fourth Biennial Report, containing the Proceedings of Annual Meeting held at Fort Scott in December, 1894, and Annual Meeting held at Lawrence in December, 1895. Vol. XX. Claret-brown cloth, 9. 3 X. 4X6.2, pp. 100; 1 portrait. Topeka : 1896. Edwin Taylor, Secretary. 356 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES, continued. Royal Horticultural Society. Journal. Edited by the Rev. W. Wilks, M. A., Secretary, and Mr. John Weathers, Assistant Secretary. Vol. XIX, Part 3. March, 1896. pp. 345-460, ci-ccxxxvi. Vol. XX, Part 1. August, 1896. pp. 76, cxxviii ; 14 cuts. 2 pamphs., gray, 8.4X.oX5.5. London: 1896. The Secretary. Report of the Council for the year 1895-96, with List of Fellows, Associates and Affiliated Societies. Pamph., gray, 8.2X.2X5.5, pp. 86. London- (1896). The Secretary. Arrangements for the year 18S6. Pamph., gray, 8. 3X. 2X5.5, pp. 58. London: (1896). The Secretary. Rules for Judging and Suggestions to Schedule-Makers, Judges and Exhibitors, drawn up by a Committee of the Royal Horti- cultural Society and issued by the order of the Council for use at Horticultural Exhibitions. 1896 Code. December, 1895. Pamph., gray, 8.4X.1X5.4, pp. 48. London: 1896. L. A. (2nd copy from Francis H. Appleton). Catalogue of the Society's Eighth Great Annual Flower Show. May 21-23, 1895. Pamph., straw-color, 8.5X.1X5.5, pp. 22, xxxix. Francis H. Appleton. Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. Prize List and Rules for Spring and Autumn Flower Shows to be held April 8 and 9, and Sept. 9 and 10,1896. Pamph., blue, 8. 4X. 1X5.3, pp. 23. The Society. France, Societe nationale d'Horticulture de. Journal. 3*^ serie. Tome XVIII, 1896. 12 pamphs., gray, 8.5X .1-.3X5.4, pp. 1231. Supplement au Journal. Congres international d'Horticulture de 1895. Pamph., orange, 8.5X .2X5.5, pp. 148, (1) ; cuts. Paris : 1895. The Society. Congres horticole de 1896. Memoires preliminaires. Pamph., pink, 8. 4X. 1X5.5, pp. 96. Paris : (1896). Supplement au Journal. Congres horticole de 1896. Proces- verbaux des Seances. Pamph., green, 8.5X — X5.4, pp. xxxii. Paris : 1896. M. Bergman, Secretaire. Seine-Inferieure, Societe centrale d'Horticulture de la. Bulletin. Tome XXXVII, 3* et 4*= cahiers de 1895 ; Tome XXXVIII, P"^ — 4^ cahiers de 1896, 5 pamphs., lilac-color, 9.X.1-.3X5.6, pp. 129-345; 1- 382. Rouen : 1895, 1896. The Society. Sarthe, Societe d'Horticulture de la. Bulletin. Tome XII. — 1895, 2«- 4e trimestres; Tome XIII. — 1896, l"-4^ trimestres. 7 pamphs. salmon-color, 8.7X—X5.6, pp. 577-678; 1-148. (LeMans:) 1895 1896. The Society. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 357 Cercle horticole du Nord, Bulletin du. 27« Annee. 12 numbers. Janu- ary to December, 1896. 12 pamphs., gray, 8.9X— X5.5, pp. 300. Lille: (1896). M. Mulnard, Secretaire-general. Society d'Horticulture d'Orleans et du Loiret. Bulletin. 3e Serie. Tome in. —1895, Nos. 1-4 and 1896, Nos. 1-4. 8 pamphs., blue, 9.8 X.l X6.6, pp. 185-560; cuts. Orleans: 1895-1897. Eugene Delaire, Secretaire-g6neral . Londres, Societe Frangaise d'Horticulture de. Bulletin. Annee 1895. (Septieme Annee. No. 7.) Pamph., gray, 9.5X.2X6., pp. Ill, (1); frontispiece, 5 plates. Tours: 1896. C. Harman Payne. Gartenflora. Zeitschrift fiir Garten- und Blumenkunde. (Begriindet von Eduard Kegel.) (Organ des Vereins zur Beforderung des Garten- baues in den Preussischen Staaten.) 44 Jahrgang. Herausgegeben Ton Dr. L. Wittmack. 24 numbers. Half calf, 10.4X 1.8X7.5, pp. 686; 12 colored plates (1410-1421), 133 cuts. Berlin: 1895. The Editor. Berlin, Grossen Allgemeinen Gartenbau-Ausstellung, Programm der. 28 April — 9 Mai, 1897, Treptower Park, Berlin. (Feier des 75 jahrigen Jubilaums des Vereins zur Beforderung des Gartenbaues in den Preussischen Staaten.) Pamph., green, 9.6X — X6.8, pp. 46, (1). Berlin: 1896. Erster Nachtrag, etc. Pamph., green, 9.6X — X6.7, pp. 14. Berlin : 1896. The Editor of " Gartenflora." Hamburger Gartenbau-Ausstellung, 1897, Das Programm der Grossen. Pamph., 8.9X — X5.5, pp. (5). Hamburg, Allgemeine Gartenbau-Ausstellung in, 1897, geoffnet vom Mai bis September. [Premium List.] Pamph., gray, 8.4X.2X5.3, pp. 158. Dr. T. G. Monckeberg. [Also English Edition of same. Pamph., pink.] I Nachtrag zum Programm vom 1 April, 1896. Pamph., 8.3X — X5.2, pp. 14. II Nachtrag, etc. Pamph., lilac, 8.5X.1X5.4, pp. 68. Geneve, Societe d'Horticulture de. Bulletin. 41™^ Annee. 1896. 12 pamphs., pink, 9.5X— X6.2, pp, 195; cuts. Geneve: 1896. The Society. R. Soeieta Toscana di Orticultura. BuUettino. Anno XXI. 1896. (Vol. I della 3.'' Serie.) 11 pamphs., cream-color, 10. 6X. IX 7. 2, pp. 327; 12 plates, colored and plain, 20 cuts. Firenze : 1896. The Society. Japanese Horticultural Society. Journal. Nos. 67 and 69-75. Novem- ber, 1895 — August, 1896. 8 pamphs., tea, 8.7X— X5.8. Tokyo: 1895, 1896. S. Yoshida. FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS. Breck, Joseph, & Sons, Publishers. Success with House Plants. A practical treatise on their care and cultivation. Pamph., 6.X.1X4.> pp. 33, (7). Boston: 1896. The Publishers. 358 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOC ETY. FLOWERS AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS, continued. Bloudeau, Henri. La Domiculture. Nouvelle Methode de Culture intensive des plantes en appartements. Cream-colored paper, 7.2 X .7X4.6, pp. Ti, (1), 330. Paris : 1896. S. F. IiOUdon, Mrs. (Jane Wells). My Own Garden; or, The Young Gardener's Year Book. Light green cloth, 7.X.5X5., pp. iv, 98; 4 plates. London: 1855. S. F. D'Ombrain, Rev. H. Honywood, Editor. The Eosarian's Year-Book for 1896. Boards, gray, 7. X. 3X5. 4, pp. (4), 54; 1 portrait. London and Derby : 1896. S. F. Hints on Planting Roses. By a Committee of the National Rose Society. Pamph., gray, 7.1X— X5.1, pp. 14, (1). (Croydon: 1895.; L. A. Warner, Robert, F. L. S., F. R. H. S., and Henry Williams, F. L. S., F. R. H. S. The Orchid Album, comprising coloured figures and descriptions of new, rare, and beautiful Orchidaceous Plants. Vol. XI, parts 129 and 130. 2 parts, straw-colored paper, 12. 5X. IX 10., colored plates 513-520, and descriptive text. London : (1896?) S. F. Ijinden, J., Lucien Linden, Em. Rodigas and A. Cogniaux. Lindenia. — Iconography of Orchids. [English Edition.] Vol. 9, parts 51-54. April —July, 1895. pp. 21-53, (12) ; colored plates 465-480. Ghent : 1895. Fo^. 20, parts 55-60. August, 1895 — January, 1896. pp. 1-53; colored plates 481-504. Ghent: 1895, 1896. Vol. 11, parts 61-66. February — July, 1896. pp. 1-53; colored plates 505-528. Ghent : 1896. Vol. 12, part 67. August, 1896. pp. 1-12 ; colored plates 529-532. Brussels : 1896. S. F. Brunning, G., & Sons. Chrysanthemums and how to grow them. With select Lists of all tlie newest and most suitable Varieties for Pot Culture and Exhibition Purposes. Pamph., 8.3X — X5.5, pp. 19. Melbourne : 1894. C. Harman Payne. Jones, H. J., F. R. H. S., F. N. C. S. The Chrysanthemum Album. Pamph., cream-color, 12. 2X. 3X9. 8, 37 plates with descriptions, portrait. Lewisham, S. E. : 1896. The Author. Zjees, W. H., W. Tunnington, E. Molyneux, and C. Orchard. Owen's Chrysanthemum Culture. For Exhibition, Conservatory, and Gar- den Decoration. Pamph., salmon-color, 7.2X.1X5.9, pp. 52. C. Harman Payne. Wells' Book on the Culture of the Chrysanthemum for exhibition, decora- tion, cut flower, and market. Pamph., salmon-color, 7. IX. 2X5. 7, pp. vi, (2), 75; 1 portrait, cuts. Redhill, Surrey: n. d. C. Harman Payne. Chabanne, G., et A. Choulet. Culture des Chrysanthemes. Pamph., straw-color, 7. 9X .1X5.3, pp. 63 ; cuts. Lyon: 1896. C. Harman Payne. Cordonnier, Anatole. Le Chrysanth^me a la grande fleur, les varietes qui se pretent le mieux a cette culture, etc. Pamph., cream-color, 8.8X.5X5.7, pp. 156; 9 plates, cuts. Bailleul (Nord) : n, d. C. Harman Payne. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 359 Viviand-Morel, V. Instructions sur la culture des Clir3'santhemes a la grande fleur. 2'"*^ edition. Revue et augment6e d'un chapitre sur la ftjcondation et I'hybridation des Chrysanthemes. Pamph., tan- color, 7.x. 1X4. 5, pp. vi, 7-47; cuts. Paris: n. d. L. A. Eavenscroft, B. C. Carnation Culture for Amateurs: containing full instructions for the culture of Carnations of all classes in the open ground and in pots. Pamph., gray, 7.3X.3X4.8, pp. (1), 84; 18 cuts. London : 1896. S. F. Van Eeden, A. C, & Co., Editors. Album Van Eeden. Flora of Haarlem. Colored plates of Dutch Bulbs and Bulbous Plants. Half red morocco, 14.2X1.6X11.2, 120 colored plates, with descrip- tive text. Haarlem: 1872-1881. S. F. Rudolph, Jules. Les Nepenthes et leur culture, fitude botanico-horticole sur les Nepenthes. Memoire couronne et extrait du Journal de la Societe nationale d'Horticulture de France. Pamph., cream-color, 8.4X— X5.4, pp. 31; 5 cuts. Paris: 1896. L. A. Noter, Raphael de. Les Palmiers de serre froide ; leur culture dans la zone mediterreenne et dans le nord de I'Europe. Precede d'une preface-lettre de M. Charles Riviere. (Bibliotheque d'Horticulture et de Jardinage.") Tan-colored cloth, 7. X. 5X4. 6, pp. xvii, 150; 52 cuts. Paris: 1895. S. F. Mitford, A. B. Freeman-, C. B. The Bamboo Garden. Illustrated by Alfred Parsons. White linen, 9.X.9X6., pp. xii, 224; frontispiece, 8 plates. London and New York : 1896. S. F. FLORICULTURAL SOCIETIES. American Florists, Society of. Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual Convention, held at Cleveland, Ohio, August 18-21, 1896. Pamph., blue, brown cloth back, 8. 7X .3X5.7, pp. 110, xxxviii; 1 portrait. Boston: 1896. William J. Stewart, Secretary. American Florist Company's Directory of Florists, Nurserymen and Seedsmen of the United States and Can.ada, and Reference Book, giving a list of the Florists, Nurserymen and Seedsmen, geographi- cally and alphabetically arranged. Etc. (Fifth edition.) Half black leather, 7.5X.7X4.8, pp. 3.35. Chicago: 1896. L. A. IS'ew York Florists' Club and the New York Gardeners' Society. Schedule of Premiums for the First Annual Exhibition of Roses, Garden Flowers, etc., . . . June 20, 1896. Pamph., 8.4X — X5.5, pp. (4.) American Carnation Society. First Annual Report, etc. 1891-92. Philadelphia, New York, Buffalo, and Washington, pp. 78 ; portrait. (Second) Annual Report. 1893. Pittsburgh, Pa., Feb. 21-22. pp. 90. (Third) Annual Report. 1894. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 21-22. pp. 55 ; portrait. Fifth Annual Meeting. Proceedings. New York, Feb. 20-21, 1896. pp. 72; portrait, cuts. 4 pamphs., blue, etc., 9.2X.2X5.7. New York: (1892)-1896. Albert M. Herr, Secretary. 360 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. FLORICULTURAL SOCIETIES, continued. Chrysanthemum Society, The National. Annual Report and Financial Statement for 1895. Grand Jubilee Celebration. Schedule of Prizes, etc., 1896. Pamph., blue, 8.2X.2X5.3, pp. 78. C. Harman Payne, Foreign Corresponding Secretary. Protection des Plantes, Association pour la. Bulletin. No. 11, 1893, pp. 64; cuts. iVb. 12, 1894, pp. 80; cuts. No. 13, 1895. pp. 96; cuts. No. 14, 1896, pp. 80; cuts. 4 pamphs., green, 9. X. 1X6. 2. Geneve : 1893-1896. Henry Correvon, President. FRUITS. Wright, John, F. R. H. S. The Fruit Grower's Guide. With illustrations by Miss May Rivers, and numerous illustrative diagrams by Worthington G. Smith and George Shayler. 8 vols. (1.) pp. x, 344; frontispiece, 11 colored plates, 108 cuts. (2.) pp. viii, 344; frontispiece, 14 colored plates, 109 cuts. (3.) pp. viii, 363; frontis- piece, 15 colored plates, 89 cuts. Half olive-green morocco, 11. 4X 1.6X9.1. London: (1892.) S. F. Jamin, Fd. Les Pommes Dean's Codlin et Deans' Codlin. (Extrait du Journal de la Societe nationale d'Horticulture de France. Cahier de mai, 1896). Pamph., 8.4X— X5.4, pp. 2. Opoix, 0. La Culture du Poirier. (Bibliotheque d'Horticulture et de Jardinage.) Tan-colored cloth, 7. X .6X4.6, pp. iv, 271; 112 cuts. Paris : 1896. S. F. Fuller, Andrew S. The Nut Culturist. A Treatise on the Propagation, Planting and Cultivation of Nut-bearing Trees and Shrubs adapted to the climate of the United States, with the scientific and common names of the fruits known in commerce as edible or otherwise useful nuts. Green cloth, 7.5X.8X5.3, pp. viii, 289; 1 portrait, cuts. New York: 1896. S. F. Also second copy presented by Mrs. Fuller. Saltet, Charles. Fruit Culture in France. A paper read before the Royal Horticultural Society, August 14, 1894. (Reprinted from the Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, Vol. XIX, Part 2.) Pamph., gray, 8.4X.1X5.4, pp. 60. London: 1895. The Author. Heron, A. L'Q5uvre Pomologique de la Societe Centrale d'Horticulture. Pamph., gray, 9. X. 3X5. 7, pp. 104. Rouen: 1896. A. Heron, President. FRUIT GROWERS' SOCIETIES. Joly, Ch. Note sur la Vingt-quatrieme Session de la Societe Pomologique Amuricaine. (Extrait du Journal de la Societe nationale d'Horti- culture de France. Cahier de decembre 1895.) Pamph., gray, 8.5 X— X5.3, pp. 8. Paris: 1896. The Author. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 361 Maine State Pomological Society. Transactions for the year 1895, includ- ing the Proceedings of the Winter Meeting, held in Presque Isle, Jan. 8 and 9, 189G. Edited by the Secretary, D. H. Knowlton. Pamph., light blue, 9. X. 3X5. 7, pp. 119; frontispiece, 3 plates. Augusta : 1896. The Secretary. Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. Twenty-seventh Annual Report. 1895. Pamph., salmon-color, 9.7X.2X6.5, pp. 128. Toronto: 1896. L. Woolverton, Secretary. . Annual Meeting, beginning Wednesday, December 2d, 1896, , . . Kingston, Ont. Programme. Pamph., green, 6.3 X — X8.1, pp. (8). Grimsby, Ont.: (1896). L. Woolverton, Secretary-Treasurer. La Pomologie Frangaise. Bulletin mensuel de la Societe pomologique de France. 1896. 11 pamphs., gray, 9.5X.1X6.2, pp. 400; cuts. Lynn : 1896. Louis Cusin, Secretaire-general. VEGETABLES. Maiden, W. J. The Potato in Field and Garden. Green cloth, 7.6X.9X 5.4, pp. xii, 217; (11) plates, cuts. London: 1895. S. F. Photograph. The new Japanese tree, or climbing. Cucumber, as grown by D. T. Curtis, Medford, in 1895. 7.9X9.9. Daniel T. Curtis. GREENHOUSES, ETC. Bouche, Carl David, und Julius Bouche. Bau und Einrichtung der Gewiichshauser. Ein Handbuch flir Gartner und Baumeister. Text, drab paper, 9.5X.8X6.5, pp. ix, 362. Atlas, boards, drab, plum-colored cloth back, 12. 8X. 7X8. 8, 29 plates with explanations (pp. 53). Bonn: 1886. Theodore M. Clark. Plenty, Josephus. Horticultural Building and Construction. Pamph., tea, 9. IX. 1X5. 7, pp. 48; cuts. . Greenhouse Heating and Ventilating Apparatus. Pamph., gray, 5.8X — X9.4, pp. 24; cuts. Smith and Thayer Company, Publishers. Catalogue of the Winchester. For Steam and Hot Water Heating. Pamph., yellow, 8.2X.1X5.7, pp. 56. (Boston : 1896.) The Publishers. PARKS. Metropolitan Park Commissioners. Report, January, 1896. Dark maroon cloth, 9.2X.6X6., pp. 107; frontispiece, 16 plates, 11 maps Boston : 1896. The Commissioners. Metropolitan Park Commission. Flora of the Blue Hills, Middlesex Fells, Stony Brook and Beaver Brook Reservations of the Metro- politan Park Commission, Massachusetts. Preliminary edition, 1896. Half black morocco, 9.2X.9X6., pp. viii, 144; 3 maps. Boston: 1896. The Commissioners. 362 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, PARKS, continued. Boston, City of. Department of Parks. (Twenty-first) Annual Report of the Board o2 Commissioners, for the year ending January 31, 189G. Pamph., 9. X. 2X5. 8, pp. 90; 10 plates, 1 plan, 1 table. (Boston : 1896.) The City of Boston. Lynn (Mass.) Park Commissioners. Seventh Annual Report. For the year ending Dec. 20, 1895. Pamph., tea, 9. IX. 1X5. 8, pp. 19; frontispiece, 2 plates, 1 plan. Lynn, Mass. : 1896. Nathan W. Hawkes, Secretary. Brooklyn Department of Parks. Thirty-first Annual Report, for the years 1891 and 1892. pp. 76; 5 plates. Thirty-third Annual Report, for the year 1893. pp. 55 ; 5 plates. Thirty-fourth Annual Report, for the year 1894. pp. 83; 14 plates, 4 pi ins. Thirty-fifth Annual Report, for the year 1895. 2)p. 167; frontis- piece, plates, cuts, 1 plan. 1 pamph., terra-cotta, and 3 vols., cloth, dark green and brown. Brooklyn : 1893-1896. J. E. Smith, Secretary. Brooklyn Tree Planting and Fountain Society. Annual Report. Decem- ber, 1895. Pamph., pale green, 9. X. 4X5. 7, pp. S3; cuts. Brooklyn: 1896. Circulars 11-15, Jan. 1896. 4 circulars, 9.2-10.8X5.5-8.4. Lewis Collins, Secretary. West Chicago Park Commissioners. Seventh Annual Report, for the year ending February 29th, 1876. pp.27. Chicago: 1876. Twenty-first Annual Report, for the year ending Feb. 28, 1890. pp. 10. Chicago: 1890. Twenty-third Annual Report, for the year ending Feb. 29, 1892. pp. 44, i-xix, 64-67. Chicago : 1892. Twenty-seventh Annual Report, for the year ending December 31, 1895. pp. 70, (2); 15 plates, 1 map. Chicago: 1896. 4 pamphs., gray, blue, 8. 6-9. X. 1-2X6. Edgar Sanders. South Park (Chicago). Report of the Commissioners to the Board of County Commissioners of Cook County. From Dec. 1, 1894 to Dec. 1, 1895. Pamph., terra-cotta, 8.5 X — X5.8, pp.43; 1 plan. Chicago : 1896, Edgar Sanders. Lincoln Park (Chicago). Annual Report of the Commissioners for the year ending March 31, 1880. Pamph., drab, 9. 2X .1X6., pp. 41; 1 maj). Chicago : 1880. For the year ending March 31, 1881. Pamph., drab, 8.8X.1X 5.9, pp. 20; 1 map. Chicago: 1881. From April 1, 1895 to March 31, 1896. Pamph., 8.6X— X5.5, pp. 30. Chicago : 1896. Edgar Sanders. Garfield, Charles W. Our City's Breathing Places. Remarks before All Souls Unity Club, April 8, 1890. Pamph., 6.7X— X4.2, pp. 11. (Grand Rapids, Mich. : 1896). The Author. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. ' 363 CEMETERIES. American Cemetery Superintendents, Association of. Proceedings. Ninth Annual Convention, held at Richmond, Va., Sept. 18 — 20, 1895. Pamph., blue, 8. 4X. 2X5. 7, pp. 82; frontispiece. Chicago: (1895). Tenth Annual Convention, held at St. Louis, Mo., September 15-17, 1896. Pamph., flesh-color, 8.6X.2X5.7, pp. 110; cuts. Chicago: (1896.) John G. Barker. Mount Auburn Cemetery. Sixty-fourth Annual Report. Jan. 1, 1896. Pamph., tea, S.8X— X5.8, pp. 15. Boston: 1896. The Trustees. TREES. Sargent, Charles Sprague, Director of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The Silva of North America. A Description of the Trees vrhich grow naturally in North America, exclusive of Mexico. Illustrated with figures and analyses drawn from nature by Charles Edward Faxon. Vol. IX. Cupulifer^ — Salicaceas. pp. (vii), 190; plates 439-496. Vol. X. Liliaceaa — Coniferaj. pp. (vii), 159; plates 497-537. 2 vols., boards, gray, 14.7X1.8-2.4X11.7. Boston and New York : 1896. S. F. Mathews, F. Schuyler. Familiar Trees and their Leaves. With over two hundred drawings by the author and an Introduction by Prof. L. H. Bailey, of Cornell University. Light green linen, 7.6X1. X 5.2, pp. X, 320; frontispiece, 2 plates, cuts. New York: 1896. S. F. Pinchot, Gifford, and Henry S. Graves. The White Pine : a study. With tables of volume and yield. Green linen, 7. X. 6X4. 6, pp. ix, 102; frontispiece, 6 plates, cuts. New York: 1896. S. F. Hersey, Edmund. Facts gathered by observation and experience relating to the White Pine (Finns Strobus, L.) Fart I. Growth of the Tree. Fart IT. Value of the Pine as a Timber Tree. Fart III. An answer to the criticisms of Part II. (Bulletin of the Bussey Institution of Harvard University, Vol. II, Part V.) 1896. 3 pamphs., 9.2X— X5.9, pp. (4), (5), and(4.) The Author. Scotland, Highland and Agricultural Society of. Old and Remarkable Trees of Scotland. (Conclusion.) Pamph., green, 8.6X.3X5.6, pp. (1), 113-247. Edinburgh: 1867. L. A. Mouillefert, P. Traite des Arbres et Arbrisseaux forestiers, industriels et d'ornement, cultives ou exploites en Europe et plus particuliere- ment en France, etc. Livraisons 27-29. Green paper, 9.8X.1X 6.4, pp. 833-928; colored plates 30-32, 26bis, 26'" & 27'''^; photo- graphic plates 132-137. Paris : n. d. S. F. Allen, Charles H. The Artificial Preservation of Timber. Pamph., blue, 6.8X — X10.8,pp. 27; cuts. The Author. 364 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. FORESTRY. Schlich's Manual of Forestry. Vol. V. Forest Utilization, by "W. R. Fisher, B. A. Being an English Translation of "Die Forstbenutz- ung," by Dr. Karl Gayer. Green cloth, 9. X. 2X6.1, pp. xvi, 779; 3 plates, 340 cuts. London : 1896. S. F. New Jersey Forestry, Report on. (1.) Report on Forestry in Northern New Jersey. By C. C. Vermeule. (2.) Report on Forest Fires for season of 1895. By John GiflPord. (3.) Notes on the Forests of New Jersey. By Gififord Pinchot. (From Report of the Geolog- ical Survey of New Jersey, 1895.) Pamph., gray, 9. X. 2X5. 7, pp. 99-188; 1 plate. Trenton: 1896. John Gifford, Editor of "The Forester." Wright, Ellen. Elizur Wright's Appeals for the Middlesex Fells and the Forests. With a Sketch of what he did for both. By his daughter. Pamph., gray, 7.7X.4X5.2, pp. xxiv, 156. Medford : 1893. J. W. Manning. Balfour, Edward, L. R. C. S. E., etc. The Timber Trees, Timber, and Fancy Woods, as also, the Forests of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia. Second Edition. Half calf, 10. X 1.2X6.5, pp. (1), 358. Madras: 1862. S. F. FORESTRY JOURNALS. Forester, The. An Illustrated Journal Devoted to Forestry. Official Organ of the New Jersey Forestry Association. Vol. II, Nos. 1-6, January-December, 1896. 5 pamphs., tea, 11. X — X8.5, pp. 87; plates, cuts. Camden, N. J. : 1896. John Gifford, Editor. Forest Leaves. Published by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association. Vol. V. Nos. 7-12. February-December, 1896. 6 pamphs., 10. 3X — X7.6, pp. 97-192; 12 plates. Philadelphia: 1896. John Birkin- bine. Publisher. fjaux et Forets, Annuaire des, pour 1896. 35e Annee. Blue cloth, 6.X.6 X4.1, pp. 384. Paris : 1896. The Publishers o/ Revue des Faux et For^ts. Bulletin d'arboriculture, de floriculture et de culture potagere, redige par Fr. Burvenich, £d. Pynaert, £m. Rodigas et Hub. Van Hulle. (Organe du Cercle d' Arboriculture de Belgique.) 6""^ Serie, Vol. IV, 1896. 12 numbers. Pamphs., gray, 9. 2X. 1X5.9, pp. 384; colored plates, cuts. Gand : 1896. The Editors. FORESTRY ASSOCIATIONS, COMMISSIONS, ETC. American Forestry Association. Proceedings at the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Annual Meetings, Dec, 1894, and Jan., 1896, at Wasliington, and at the Summer Meetings at Brooklyn, N. Y., and Springfield, Mass. Vol. XI. (Part I.) March 1, 1896. Pamph., tea, 9.x .2X5.8, pp. 64. Washington : 1896. The Association. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 365 New Hampshire Forestry Commission. Report. January Session, 1891. Black cloth, 9.x. 3x6., pp. 56. Manchester: 1891. Second Report. January Session, 1893. Black cloth, 9.X.5X6., pp. 139; 2 maps. Concord: 1893. Second Annual Report. 1894. "Vol. I, Part II. Pamph., tea, 8.7X. 3X5. 8, pp. 15-143; 5 maps. Concord: 1894. The State Librarian. New York Forest Commission. Annual Report for the year 1893. 2 vols., green cloth, 9.1X1.2X6., pp. 388 and 468 ; 31 plates, 1 map. Albany: 1894. Annual Report for the year 1894. Green cloth, 9.2X 1.X6., pp. 263; 26 plates (2 colored). Albany: 1895. William F. Fox, Superintendent, New York Fisheries, Game, and Forest Commission English Arboricultural Society. Transactions. Vol. Ill, Part 1. Gray paper, 8.4X.5X5.5, pp. 140. Carlisle: 1895-96. S. F. GENERAL AGRICULTURE. ■W(orlidge), J(ohn). Systema Agriculture; the Mystery of Husbandry Discovered. Etc., etc. To which is added Kalendarium Rusticum or. The Husbandman's Monthly Directions .... and Dictionarium Rusticum : or. The Interpretation of Rustick Terms. Etc. The Third Edition carefully corrected and amended, with one whole section added, and many large and useful additions throughout the whole work. By J. W., Gent. Half black morocco, 13.X1.X8.1, pp. (22), 324, (6) ; 1 plate. London: 1681. S. F. Voorhees, Edward B., A. M. First Principles of Agriculture. Linen, 7. 8 X. 9X5.4, pp. 212. New York, Boston, Chicago: 1896. The Publishers. Muir, James, M. R. A. C, etc. Agriculture, Practical and Scientific. Red cloth, 7.2X1.X5.3, pp. xv, 343; 39 cuts. London and New York: 1895. S. F. Lawes, J. B. Report of Experiments on the Comparative Fattening Qualities of different breeds of Sheep. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. XIII, part I.) Pamph., blue, 8.7X.1X5.7, pp. 21. London : 1852. L. A. , and J. H. Gilbert. On the Composition of Foods, in relation to Respiration and the Feeding of Animals. (From Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science for 1852.) Pamph., brown, 8. 5X. 1X5. 5, pp. 33. London: 1853. L. A. . Experiments on the Comparative Fattening Qualities of different Breeds of Sheep. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. XVI, part 1.) Pamph., blue, 8.6X.1X5.4, pp. 45. London: 1855. L. A. 366 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. GENERAL AGRICULTURE, continued. Lawes, J. B. and J. H. Gilbert. Experimental Inquiry into the Composi- tion of some of the Animals fed and slaughtered as human Food. (Abstract.) (From the Proceedings of the Royal Society, June 17, 1858.) Pamph., brown, 8.5X — X5.5, pp. 16. London : 1858. L.A. . Observations on the recently-introduced Manufactured Foods for Agricultural Stock. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. Eng., Vol. XIX, part I.) Pamph., blue, 8.3X— X5.4, pp. 8. London : 1858. L.A. TROPICAL AGRICULTURE. Porter, George Richardson. The Tropical Agriculturist: a practical treatise on the cultivation and management of various productions suited to tropical climates. Half brown calf, 8.2X1.2X5.5, pp. xii, 429 ; plates, cuts. London : 1833. S. F. Draper, Walter, F. R. H. S., etc. Gardening in Egypt: A Handbook of Gardening for Lower Egypt. Blue cloth, 7.9X.6X5.3, pp. vi, (1), 113. London: 1895. S. F. Turner, F.,F.L. S.,F.R. H. S. The Forage Plants of Australia. (Depart- ment of Agriculture, New South Wales.) Dark blue cloth, 9.7X .9X6.3, pp. xviii, 94; (91) plates, n. p. 1891. S. F. GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. Massachusetts, Commonwealth of. Annual Report of the Board of Harbor and Land Commissioners for the year 1895. [Contains report on fixing ihe sand dunes of Cape Cod by planting grasses, etc.] Black cloth, 9. X. 3X5. 8, pp. 79, (1) ; 2 plates, 1 map. Bos- ton : 1896. Leonard W. Ross. Sutton, Martin J. Permanent and Temporary Pastures. Popular Edition. Pamph., pale green, 10. X. 4X6. 6, pp. viii, 146. London: 1895. Sutton & Sons. Denaifie, Clement, et Henri Denaiffe. Manuel i^ratique de Culture Four- rag^re. (Bibliotbeque des Connaissances utiles.) Tan-colored cloth, 7.X1.X4.7, pp. 383; 108 cuts. Paris: 1896. S. F. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. Lawes, J. B. Agricultural Chemistry. Sheep-Feeding and Manure. Part I. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. X, part I.) Pamph., blue, 8. 6X. 2X5. 6, pp. 76. London : 1849. L.A. , and J. H. Gilbert. On Agricultural Chemistry, especially in relation to the Mineral Theory of Baron Liebig. (Jour. Roy. Ag, Soc. England, Vol. XII, part I.) Pamph., blue, 8.5X.1X5.3, pp. 41; 2 diagrams. London: 1851. L.A. Agricultural Chemistry. Pig Feeding. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. XIV, part II.) Pamph., blue, 8.7X.2X5.6, pp.86: 2 diagrams. London: 1854. L.A. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 367 , and J. H. Gilbert. On the Equivalency of Starch and Sugar in Food. (From the Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science for 1854.) Pamph., brown, 8.4X — X5.5, pp. 15. London : 1855. L. A. , . On the Amount of, and Methods of Estimating Ammonia and Nitric Acid in Rain-Water. (From the Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science for 185-1.) Pamph., brown, 8.5X — X5.5, pp. 15. London: 1855. L. A. . Report to the Right Hon. The Earl of Leicester, on Experi- ments conducted by Mr. Keary on the Growth of Wheat upon the same Land for four successive years, at Holkham Park Farm. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. XVI, part I.) Pamph., blue, 6.8X — X5.4, pp. 16. London: 1855. L. A. , and J. H. Gilbert. Reply to Baron Liebig's Principles of Agricultural Chemistry. December, 1855. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol. XVI, part II.) Pamph., blue, 8.6X.2X5.5, pp. 90; 2 diagrams. London. L. A. , . On some points in the Composition of Wheat- Grain, its Products in the Mill and Bread. Pamph., brown, 8.4X.1 X5.4. pp. 57. London: 1857. L. A. , . On the Growth of Wheat by the Lois Weedon System on the Rothamsted Soil ; and on the Combined Nitrogen in Soils. Pamph., blue, 8.7X.1X5.7, pp. 38. London: 1857. L. A. , . Agricultural Chemistry. On the Growth of Barley by different manures, continuously on the same land ; and on the position of the Crop in Rotation. (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. Eng- land, Vol. XVIII, part II, etc.) Pamph., blue, 8.4X.2X5.4, pp.80. London: 1858. L. A. , . Report of Experiments with different Manures, on permanent Meadow Land. (With tabular appendix.) (Jour. Roy. Ag. Soc. England, Vol, XIX, part II, and Vol. XX, parts I andll.) Pamph.,blue,8.4X.3X5.4, pp. 111. London : 1859. L.A. — — , , and Evan Pugh. On the Sources of the Nitrogen of Vegetation, with special reference to the question whether plants assimilate free or uncombined Nitrogen. (Abstract.) (Proc. Roy. Soc. London, June 21, 1860.) Pamph., tea, 8.5X — X5.4, pp. 16. London: 1860. L. A. , . Report of Experiments on the Growth of Red Clover by different Manures. Parti. Pamph., blue, 8.3 X — X5.5, pp.24; 1 plan. London: 1860. L. A. , . Report of Experiments on the Growth of Wheat for twenty years in succession on the same land. Pamph., blue, 8.4X. 4X5. 4, pp. 109, xli; 2 diagrams. London : 1864. L.A. 368 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. SOILS, FERTILIZERS, ETC. Truflfaut, Georges. Sols, Terres, et Composts utilises par I'Horticulture. Preface de M. Deherain. (Bibliotheque d'Horticulture et de Jardin- age.) Tan-colored cloth, 7. X. 8X4. 6, pp. iv, 308; cuts. Paris: 1896. S. F. Barnes, Henry .J., M. D. Sewerage Systems, and the epuration of Sewage by Irrigation and Agriculture. [Reprinted from the Boston Medi- cal and Surgical Journal of June 19 and 26 and July 24, 1884.] Pamph., gray, 7.2X.1X5., pp. 48. Cambridge : 1884. The Author. [To replace copy received in 1892.] Gilbert, J. H., Ph. D., F. C. S. Letter on the Utilization of Town Sewage. (From the " Report." " Ordered by the House of Com- mons to be printed, August 3, 1857." Appendix XII, pp. 477.) Pamph., dull green, 8.2X — X5.4, pp. 8. Nottingham. L. A. German Kali Works, Puhlishers. Principles of Profitable Farming. How to raise large crops for the least money. Pamph., 6.9X — X5.1 pp. 48. New York: n. d. The German Kali Works. AGRICULTURAL JOURNALS. Genesee Farmer and Gardener's Journal ; a weekly paper devoted to Agriculture, Horticulture and Rural Economy. By Luther Tucker, assisted by Willis Gaylord, J. J. Thomas, and others. Vols. VIII and IX. 2 vols., half calf, 12. 4X1. X9. 7, pp. vii, 416, and vi, 416: cuts. Rochester : 1838 and 1839. Danforth P. Wight, Dedham. Cincinnatus, The : Edited by the faculty of Farmers' College, College Hill, Ohio. 2 vols., plum-colored cloth, 8.9X1.9X6.1, pp. iv, 608 and viii, 572 ; plates, cuts. Cincinnati : 1857. Waldo 0. Ross. Semi-Tropical Planter, The : A Monthly Journal, devoted to Southern Agriculture and Horticulture and to Immigration. Harrison Reed, Editor. Vol. 1, No. 2. October, 1875. Pamph., 9. 7X. 2X6.6, pp. 63-126. Jacksonville, Fla. : 1875. Dr. J. M. Hawks. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC. All the publications of the United States Department of A^ricidtu7-e, here acknowledged, with the exception of a few which are otherwise credited, were received from, Hon. J. Sterling Morton, Secretary of Ag7-icultnre. Except in cases where the binding and size are otherwise given, these publications are all octavo pampihlets. United States Department of Agriculture. Office of the Secretary. Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture (for 1863). pp. 13. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Same., (for 1866.) pp. 12. C. H. Hovey. Same, for 1868. pp. 18. Washington. 1868. " " 1878. " 85. " 1878. " 1882. " 18. " 1882. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. LIBRAEY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 369 Report of the Secretary of Agriculture. 1893. Black cloth, 9.3X1.5X6.1, pp. 608; colored and plain plates, maps, cuts. Wash- ington: 1894. Report of the Secretary of Agriculture, [1895, Part /] ; being part of the message and documents communicated to the Two Houses of Congress at the beginning of the First Session of the Fifty-fourth Congress. Black cloth, 9.2X.5XG., pp. 266. Wash- ington: 1895. Yearbook of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. 1895. [Part II of the Report of the Secretary of AgricuUure.] Green cloth, 9.2X1.6X6.1, pp. 656; 10 plates, cuts. Washington: 1896. Report of the Secretary ef Agriculture. 1896. [Separate.] pp. 51. Washington: 1896. Reprints from the Yearhook : — Frosts and Freezes as affecting Cultivated Plants. By B. T. Galloway. (Reprint from Yearbook, 1895.) pp. 143-158. The Author. The Two Freezes of 1894-95 in Florida, and what they teach. By Herbert J. Webber. (Reprint from Yearbook, 1895.) pp. 159- 174; 1 plate, cuts. B. T. Galloway. Canadian Field Peas. By Thomas Shaw.— Grass Gardens. By F. Lamson-Scribner. — Forage Conditions of the Prairie Regions. By Jared G. Smith. —Grasses of Salt Marshes. By F. Lamson- Scribner. (Reprint from Yearbook, 1895.) pp. iv, 223-232; 301- 332: cuts 46-79. Washington: 1896. The Health of Plants in Greenhouses. By B. T. Galloway. (Reprint from Yearbook, 1895.) pp. 247-256; cuts. The Author. Monthly Reports. 1863, with the exception of the September and October numbers; 1864-1873; 1875; and 1876. 8 vols, in half morocco, the rest pamphs. Washington : 1863-1876. 1863-1868 from C. H. Hovey, the family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder and the New England Historic Genealogical Society. {Special Reports, — un nuniherecl) : — A Proposed Bill for Establishing an Executive Departruent, to be called the Department of Agriculture. By Worthington G. Snethen. pp. 16. Washington: 1852. The New England Historic Genea- logical Society. Meteorology in its connection with Agriculture. By Prof. Joseph Henry, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. (From the Agricultural Report of the United States Patent Office, 1856.) pp. 455-495 ; 1 map, cuts. Washington : 1858. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. Circular from the Commissioner of Agriculture of the United States, on the present Agricultural, Mineral and Manufacturing Condition and Resources of the United States, pp. 8. Washington : 1862. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. 370 MASSxVCHUSETTS HOKTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Office of the Secretary. (^Special Reports, — iinniimhered), continued. Report of the Flax and Hemp Commission, appointed under Act of Congress, February 25, 1863. pp.96; cuts. The Nevr England Historic Genealogical Society. Reports of the Diseases of Cattle in the United States, made to the Commissioner of Agriculture, with accompanying documents. Half brown morocco, 9.3X.6X6., pp. 190; 1 plate, cuts. Washing- ton : 1869. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. Proceedings of the National Agricultural Convention, held at Washington, D. C, February 15-17, 1872. pp.84. Washington: 1872. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. Letter of the Commissioner of Agriculture to the Hon. Jno. W. Johnston, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, U. S. Senate, on Sorghum Sugar, pp. 42 ; 33 plates, 1 chart. Washington : 1880. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Preliminary Report of the Department of Agriculture for the year 1880. pp. 155; 2 plates, I plan, cuts. Washington: 1881. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Report on the Climatic and Agricultural Features and the Agri- cultural Practice and Needs of the Arid Regions of the Pacific Slope, with notes on Arizona and New Mexico. Made ... by E. W. Hilgard, T. C. Jones, and R. W. Furnas. 1882. pp. 182. Washington: 1882. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. Encouragement to the Sorghum and Beet Sugar Industry. A record of practical experiments conducted under the direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, pp. 64. AVashington : 1883. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Special Report. Investigation of Sorghnm as a Sugar-producing Plant. Season of 1882. Peter Collier, Chemist, pp. 68 ; 1 chart, 3 tables. Washington : 1883. The New England Historic Genea- logical Society. Preliminary Report on the Forestry of the Mississippi Valley, and Tree Planting on the Plains, pp. 45. Washington : 1883. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. Report on the Organization and Management of Seven Agricul- tural Schools in Germany, Belgium, and England, made ... by A. S. Welch, LL.D. pp. 107. Washington: 1885. The New England Historic Genealogical Society. Agricultural Graphics. A report of Exhibits illustrating Agri- cultural Statistics at the World's Industrial and Cotton Exposition at New Orleans, La. pp. 42 ; 27 diagrams. Washington : 1885. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. List of Publications of the U. S. Department of Agriculture for the five years 188i)-18'.t3, inclusive, pp. 42. Washington: 1894. Arbor Day : its History and Observance. By N. H. Egleston pp.80; cuts. Washington: 1896. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 371 Statement in regard to Award of Seed Contract, pp. 8. (Wash- ington : 1896.) Circulars: — No. 3. Progress of Southern Agriculture, pp.12. "Washington: 1896. No. 5. The Civil Service in the Department of Agriculture, pp. 4. Washington : 1896. Farmers'' Bxilletiiis: — No. 19. (Revised edition). Important Insecticides : directions for their preparation and use. By C. L. Marlatt. pp. 23. Washing- ton : 1895. Thomas Harrison. No. 33. Peach Growing for Market. By Erwin F. Smith, pp. 23; 21 cuts. Washington: 1895. No. 34. Meats : Composition and Cooking, pp. 29 ; cuts. Washington: 1896. No. 35. Potato Culture, pp. 23; 2 cuts. Washington : 1896. No. 36. Cotton Seed and its products, pp.16. Washington : 1896. No. 37. Kafir Corn: Characteristics, Culture, and Uses. By C. C. Georgeson. pp. 12; 1 cut. Washington: 1S96. No. 38. Spraying for Fruit Diseases. By B. T. Galloway, pp. 12 ; 6 cuts. Washington : 1896. No. 39. Onion Culture. By R. L. Watts, B. Agr. pp. 31 ; 3 cuts. Washington : 1896. No. 41. Fowls: Care and Feeding. By G. C. Watson, B. Agr., M. S. pp. 24. Washington : 1896. No. 42. Facts about Milk. pp. 29 ; cuts. Washington : 1896. No. 43. Sewage Disposal on the Farm, and the Protection of Drinking Water, pp.20; cuts. Washington: 1896. No. 44. Commercial Fertilizers : composition and use. By Edward B. Voorhees, M. A. pp. 24. Washington : 1896. Sedioji of Foreign Markets: — Bulletin No. 8. The World's Markets for American Products. Sweden, pp. 92. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 1. Peaches and other Fruits in England, pp. 3. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 2. American Dried Apples in the German Empire, pp. 3. Circular No. 3. Imports and Exports for 1893 and 1894. pp. 4. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 6. Imports and Exports for 1893, 1894 and 1895. pp. 6. Circular No. 7. Extension of Markets for American Feed Stuffs, pp. 7. Circular No. 8. The Manchester District of England as a Mar- ket for American Products, pp. 8. Circular No. 9. Imports and Exports for 1893, 1894, 1895 and 1896. pp. 8. 372 IMASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Office of the Secretary. Section of Foreign markets, continued. Circular No. 10. Course of Wheat Production and Exportation in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Kussia and British India, from 1880 to 1896. pp. 8. • . Division of Agricultural Soils. Bulletin No. 1. Soil Moisture. A record of the amount of water contained in soils during the month of May, 1895. pp. 16. Wash- ington : 1895. Bulletin No. 2. Same, June, 1895. pp. 16. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 3. Same, July? 1895. pp. 23. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 4. Methods of the Mechanical Analysis of Soils and of the Determination of the Amount of Moisture in Soils in the Field, pp. 24. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 5. Texture of some important Soil Formations, pp. 23; 35 plates. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 1. (Weather Bureau, Division of Agricultural Soils.) Announcement, pp.3. Washington: 1894. Circular No. 2. (Weath. Bur., Div. Agl. Soils.) Instructions for taking Samples of Soil for Moisture Determinations, pp. 3. Washington: 1894. ■ . Division of Agrostology. Bulletin No. 1. Notes on Grasses and Forage Plants in the Southeastern States. By Thomas H. Kearney, Jr., Ass't. Agros- tologist. pp. 28; 7 cuts. Washington: 1895. Bulletin No. 2. Fodder and Forage Plants, exclusive of Grasses. By Jared G. Smith, Assistant Agrostologist. pp. 58; 56 cuts. Wash- ington: 1896. Bulletin No. 3. Useful and Ornamental Grasses. By F. Lam- son-Scribner, Agrostologist. pp. 119; 89 cuts. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 1. A note on Experimental Grass Gardens, pp. 4. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 2. Hairy Vetch, Sand Vetch, or Russian Vetch. (^Vicia villosa.) pp. 4;1 cut. Washington: 1895. Circular No. 3. Saltbushes. pp.4; 3 cuts. — . Bureau of Animal Industry. Tenth and Eleventh Annual Reports of the Bureau of Animal Industry for the years 1893 and 1894. Black cloth, 9.2X.4X5.9, pp. 127. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 6. Additional Investigations concerning Infectious Swine Diseases, pp.117. Washington: 1894. Bulletin No. 7. Investigations concerning Bovine Tuberculosis, etc. pp. 78; 6 plates. Washington : 1894. Bulletin No. 8. Investigations concerning Infectious Diseases among Poultry, pp. 90; 6 plates, colored and plain. Washington: 1895. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 373 Bulletin No. 9. Rules and Regulations governing the Operations of the Bureau of Animal Industry; etc. pp. 46. Washington: 1895. Bulletin No. 10. Cornstalk Disease, and Rabies in Cattle, pp. 92 ; 2 plates. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 11. (Dairy No. 1.) Statistics of the Dairy. Com- piled from the United States Census for 1890, etc. pp. 53. Wash- ington : 1896. Bulletin No. 13. Tuberculosis Investigations, pp.27; 2 plates* Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 14. Dairying in California, pp. 31. Washington : 1896. Circular of Information — No. 2. Wheat as a Food for Growing and Fattening Animals, pp. 4. Circular No. 5. The Direct Transmission of Infectious Entero- Hepatitis in Turkeys, pp. 8 ; 7 cuts. Circular No. 10. (Dairy No. 2.) List of the State Dairy Com- missioners and Associations of Dairymen in the United States and Canada for 1896. pp. 6. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 11. How to select good cheese, pp. 11. Circular No. 12. Check List of the Animal Parasites of Turkeys. pp. 8. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 13. Check List of the Animal Parasites of Ducks, pp. 7. Circular No. 15. Check List of the Animal Parasites of Pigeons, pp. 4. . Division of Biological Survey. (Formerly Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy^ which also see.) Circular No. 17. Bird Day in the Schools, pp. 4. . Division of Botany. Contributions from the U. S. National Herbarium. Vol. III., No. 3. Issued Sept. 14, 1895. Flora of the Sand Hills of Nebraska. By P. A. Rydberg. pp. v, 133-203 ; 2 plates, 1 cut. Washington: 1895. No. 5. Issued Dec. 14, 1895. (i.) Report on Mexican Umbelliferae, mostly from the State of Oaxaca, recently collected by C. G. Pringle and E. W. Nelson. By John M. Coulter and J. N. Rose, (ii.) Descriptions of Plants, mostly new, from Mexico and the United States. By J. N. Rose. pp. v, 289-323, ii; plates 5-16. Washington: 1895. No. 6. Issued Jan. 15, 1896. Botany of Yakutat Bay, Alaska. By Frederick Vernon Coville. With a Field Report, by Frederick Funston. pp. iii, 325-353, ii. Wash- ington : 1895. No. 7. Issued April 1, 1896. Preliminary Revision of the North American Species of Echinocactus, Cereus, and Opuntia. By John M. Coulter, pp. iii, 355-462, iv. Washing- ton: 1896. No. 8. Issued June 13, 1896. Flora of the Black Hills of South Dakota. By P. A. Rydberg. pp. v., 463-536, iv; plates 17-20. Washington: 1896. No. 9. Issued Aug. 5, 1896. 374 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United. States Department of Agriculture. Division of Botany, con- tinued. (i.) Flora of Southwestern Kansas. Report on a collection of plants made by C. H. Thompson in 1893. By A. S. Hitchcock, (ii.) Crepis occideutalis and its allies. By F. V. CoTille. (m.) Plants from the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming. By J. N. Eose. (iv.) Leibergia, a new genus of Unibelliferje from the Columbia River Region. By J. M. Coulter and J. N. Rose, (v.) Rosean- thus, a new genus of Cucurbitaceje from Acapulco, Mexico. By Alfred Cogniaux. pp. 537-612, (and title-page and contents to Vol. Ill, pp. vii) ; plates 21-28. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 11. Report on the Experiments made in 1889 in the Treatment of the Fungous Diseases of Plants. Prepared by B. T. Galloway. [Section of Vegetable Pathology.] pp. 119; 8 plates. Washington: 1890. W. P. Cutter, Librarian, U. S. Dept. Agri- culture. Bulletin No. 16. American Ginseng : its commercial history, protection and cultivation. By George V. Nash. pp. 22; 2 cuts. Washington: 1895. Bulletin No. 17. Legislation against Weeds. By Lyster H. Dewey, pp. 60. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 2. Nut Grass. By Lyster H. Dewey, pp. 4 ; 1 cut. (Washington: 1894.) Circular No. 6. Standards of the Purity and Vitality of Agri" cultural Seeds. By Gilbert H. Hicks, pp. 4. Circular No. 7. Tumbling Mustard {Sisymhrium altissimum.) pp. 8; 3 cuts. Washington: 1896. Ccular N o. 8. Ciiniton Clover Hair Balls. By Frederick V. Coville. pp.4; 3 cuts. Washington: LS96. . Division of Chemistry. Bulletin No. 40. Record of Experiments with Sorghum in 1893. By Harvey W. Wiley . . . with the collaboration of Messrs. Oma Carr and C. I. Hinman. pp. 38. Washington: 1894. Bulletin No. 44. Sweet Cassava : its culture, properties, and uses. By Harvey W. Wiley, pp. 16; 2 plates, 1 cut. Washing- ton: 1894. Bulletin No. 45. Analyses of Cereals collected at the World's Columbian Exposition, and comparisons with other data. By Harvey W. Wiley, Chief of the Division of Chemistry, pp. 67. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 48. Zinc in Evaporated Apples, pp. 38. Wash- ington: 1896. ( .) United States Entomological Commission. Department of the Interior. Bulletin No. 7. Insects Injurious to Forest and Shade Trees. By A. S. Packard, Jr., M. D. pp. 275; 100 cuts. Washington: 1881. The family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. [2nd copy.] LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 375 . Division of Entomology. Bulletin No. 1. New Series. (Revised edition). The Honey Bee: A Manual of Instruction in Apiculture, pp. 118 ; frontispiece, 11 plates, cuts. Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 2. Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Association of Economic Entomologists, pp. 100. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 3. The San Jose Scale : its occurrences in the United States with a full account of its life history and the remedies to be used against it. By L. 0. Howard and C. L. Marlatt. pp. 80; frontispiece, cuts. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 4. The Principal Household Insects of the United States. By L. 0. Howard and C. L. Marlatt. With a chapter on Insects affecting dry vegetable foods. By H. F. Chittenden, pp. 130; 64 cuts. Washington: 1896. Technical Series No. 1. Revision of the Aphelininae of North America. Etc. By L. O. Howard, Entomologist, pp. 44 ; 14 cuts. Washington : 1895. Technical Series No. 2. The Grass and Grain Joint- Worm Flies and their allies : a consideration of some North American pliyto- phagic Eurytominse. By L. O. Howard, Entomologist, pp. 24; 10 cuts. Washington : 1896. Technical Series No. 3. Revision of the Nematinse of North America, a subfamily of leaf-feeding Hymenoptera of the family Tenthredinidas. By C. L. Marlatt. pp. 135 ; frontispiece, 10 cuts. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 2, Second Series. The Hop Plant-Louse and the remedies to be used against it. pp. 7; 1 plate, 5 cuts. (Washing- ton) : June, 1891. Circular No. 4. The Army Worm. {Leucania unipunda Haw.) pp.5; Scuts. Washington: 1894. Circular No. 5. The Carpet Beetle, or "Buffalo Moth." Anthre- nus scropliularicB Ij. pp.4; 1 cut. Washington: 1894. Circular No. 6. The Mexican Cotton-Boll Weevil. {Anthono- mus grandis Boh.) pp. 5 ; 3 cuts. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 7. The Pear-Tree Psylla. {Psylla pyricola Foerst.) pp.8; 6 cuts. Washington: 1895. Circular No. 8. The Imported Elm Leaf-Beetle. {Galerucella luteola IslnW. {^Galeruca xanthomelana Schrank.)) pp.4; 1 cut. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 9. Canker-Worms. pp. 4 ; 4 cuts. Washington : 1895. Circular No. 10. The Harlequin Cabbage Bug, or Calico Back. {Murgantia histrionica Hahn.) 1 sheet, pp. 2. Washington: 1895. Circular No. 11. The Rose-Chafer, pp.4. Washington: 1895. 376 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Division of Entomology, continued. Circular No. 12. The Hessian Fly. (Cecidomyia destructor Say.) pp.4. Washington: 1895. Circular No. 13. Mosquitoes and Fleas, pp. 4. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 14. (Revision of No. 6.) The Mexican Cotton- Boll Weevil. (Anthonomus grandis Boh.) pp- 8 ; 5 cuts. Wash- ington : 1896. lAlso Spanish translation of same.] Circular No. 15. General Work against Insects which defoliate shade trees in cities and towns, pp. 4. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 16. The Larger Corn Stalk-Borer. (Diatrcea saccha7-alis Fa.h.') pp.3; 3 cuts. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 17. The Peach-tree Borer. {Sannina exitiosa Say.) pp. 4. Washington : 1896. Bibliography of the more important contributions to American Economic Entomology. Prepared, by authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, by Samuel Henshaw. Part IV. The more important writings of Government and State Entomologists, and of other con- tributors to the literature of American Economic Entomology. A— K. pp. 167. Washington : 1895. . Office of Experiment Stations. The Pathology of Plants. Lines of Investigation that might be undertaken by Experiment Stations. By B. T. Galloway. (From Experiment Station Record, Vol VIII, No. 9.) pp. iii, 725-735. Washington: 1896. Experiment Station Record. Vol. 7, Nos. 4-12. Half green morocco, 9.3X3. X6. 5, pp. 261-1092. Washington: 1897. Vol. 8^ Nos. 1-12. Half green morocco, 9.3X3. X6.5, pp. 1128. Wash- ington : 1897. Bulletin No. 27. Organization Lists of the Agricultural Experi- ment Stations and Institutions with Courses in Agriculture in the United States. January, 1896. pp. 93. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 28. The Chemical Composition of American Food Materials. By W. O. Atwater, Ph.D., and Chas. D. Woods, B. S. pp.47; cuts. Washington: 1896. Bulletin No 29. Dietary Studies at the University of Tennessee in 1895. By Chas. E. Wait. (With comments by W. O. Atwater and Chas. D. Woods.) pp. 45. Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 31. Dietary Studies at the University of Missouri in 1895, and data relating to bread and meat consumption in Mis- souri. (By H. B. Gibson, S. Calvert, and D. W. May. With comments by W. 0. Atwater and Chas. D. Woods.) pp. 24. Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 32. Dietary Studies at Purdue University, Lafay- ette, Indiana, in 1895. (By Winthrop E. Stone. With comments • LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 377 by W. 0. Atwater and Chas. D. Woods.) pp. 28. Washington: 1896. Circular No. IS. List of Originators of Fruits and Vegetables in the United States, with addresses and names of specialties, pp. 12. Washington: 1891. Circular No. 25. Canaigre. pp.4; 1 cut. Washington: 1894. Circular No. 27. Statistics of Agricultural Colleges and Experi- ment Stations, 1894. pp. 18. Washington: 1895. Circular No. 30. Permanent Elements in Experiment Station Work. By A. C. True. pp. 4. Washington : 1896. . Office of Fiber Investigations. Report No. 1. A Report on Flax, Hemp, Ramie and Jute, with considerations upon Flax and Hemp Culture in Europe, a Report on the Ramie Machine Trials of 1889 in Paris, and present status of the Fiber Industries in the United States. 2nd ed. pp. 104; 7 cuts. Washington: 1892. Report No. 7. A Report on the Cultivation of Ramie in the United States, with statements concerning the practice in foreign countries, cost of cultivation and percentages of yield, the machine question, and preparation of the fiber for manufajture. pp. 63; frontispiece, 4 plates, 7 cuts. Washington : 1895. . Division of Forestry. Bulletin No. 10. Timber : an elementary discussion of the characteristics and properties of Wood. By Filibert Roth, Special Agent in charge of Timber Physics, pp. 88 ; 49 cuts. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 11. Some Foreign Trees for the Southern States, pp. 32 ; 3 plates. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 12. Timber Physics Series. Economical Designing of Timber Trestle Bridges. By A. L. Johnson, C. E. pp. 57. Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 13. The Timber Pines . of the Southern United States. By Charles Mohr, Ph. D. Together with a Discussion of the Structure of their Wood, by Filibert Roth. Pamph., gray, 12.1X.5X9.6, pp. 160; 27 plates, 18 cuts. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 8. Strength of " Boxed " or "■ Turpentine " Timber. pp.3. Circular No. 10. Suggestions to the Lumbermen of the United States in behalf of more rational Forest Management, pp. 8. Circular No. 11. Facts and figures regarding our Forest Re- sources briefly stated, pp. 8. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 12. Southern Pine. — Mechanical and Physical Properties, pp. 12. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 13. Forest Fire Legislation in the United States. pp.8. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 14. Is Protection against Forest Fires Practicable? pp. 4. 378 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Office of Irrigation Inquiry. Report of the Special Agent in charge of the Artesian and Under- flow Investigations and of the Irrigation Inquiry for 1890. (From the Report of the Secretary of Agriculture for 1890.) pp. 471-488; 1 map. Washington: 1891. Same for 1891. (From the Report of the Secretary of Agricul- ture for 1891.) pp. 439-450 ; 1 map. Washington : 1892. . Library. Bulletin No. 9. List of Publications of the U. S. Department of Agriculture from 1841 — June 30, 1895, inclusive, pp. 76. Wash- ington : 1896. [3 copies — 1 bound in half roan.] Bulletins 10-13, inclusive. February, May, August and October, 1896. Accessions to the Department Library, October, 1895, — September, 1896, (3 months in each Bulletin), pp. 14, 15, 14, and 10. . Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy. (Later Division of Biological Survey, which also see.) Bulletin No. 8. The Jack Rabbits of the United States, pp. 84 ; frontispiece, 6 plates. Washington : 1896. North American Fauna. No. 1. Oct., 1889. Revision of the North American Pocket Mice. pp. vi, 36 ; 4 plates. Washington : 1889. No. 2. October, 1889. Descriptions of fourteen new species and one new genus of North American Mammals, pp. v, 52; 8 plates. Washington : 1889. iVb. i^, August, 1890. Results of a Biological Survey of the San Francisco Mountain Region and Desert of the Little Colorado, Arizona, pp. vii, 136; 13 plates, colored and plain, 5 colored maps, 2 cuts. Washington : 1890. No, 4, October, 1890. Descriptions of iwenty-six new species of North American Mammals, pp. v, 60; 3 plates, 3 cuts, 1 table. Washington: 1890. No. 5, July, 1891. Results of a Biological Reconnaissance of south-central Idaho. Etc. pp. vii, 132 ; 4 plates, 4 cuts. Washington: 1891. No. S, January, 1895. Monographic Revision of tlie Pocket Gophers. Etc. pp. 258 ; frontispiece, 19 plates, 71 cuts, 4 maps. Washington: 1895. . Division of Pomology. Report of the Pomologist for 1894. By Samuel B. Heiges. pp. 62; 4 colored plates, 5 cuts. Washington: 1895. (Special Bulletin.) Nut Culture in the United States. Em- bracing Native and Introduced Species. Half calf, 11. 5X. 7X8., pp. 144; 2 colored and 14 plain plates. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 1. Nut Culture. By H. M. Engle. (Reprinted from Report of the Pomologist for 1894.) pp. 4. Washington: 1894. Circular No. 2. Prune Culture in the Pacific Northwest. By E. R. Lake. (Reprinted from Report of the Pomologist for 1894.) pp. 7; Scuts. Washington: 1894. LIBEARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 379 Circular No. 3. Notes on Peach Culture. By J. H. Hale. (Re- printed from Report of the Pomologist for 1894). pp. 10, 4 cuts. "Washington : 1894. . Division of Publications. Index to the Annual Reports of the IT. S. Department of Agricul- ture for the years 1837 to 1893, inclusive. Black cloth, 9. IX. 8X6., pp. 252. Washington : 1896. Circular 179. Price List of Publications of the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture turned over to the Superintendent of Docu. ments. pp. 15. Washington: 1896. Monthly Lists of Publications. August to November, 1896. 4 parts, pp. 3, 3, 3, and 4. Washington : 1896. Notes regarding Department Publications. Circular, 9.3X5.6. Washington : Sept. 19, 1896. . Office of Road Inquiry. Bulletin No. 15. Proceedings of the Good Roads Convention of Texas, held in Houston, Feb. 19, 1895. pp. 24. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 17. Historical and Technical Papers on Road Building in the United States, pp. 52 ; cuts. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 18. State Laws relating to the Management of Roads. Enacted in 1894-95. pp. 86. Washington : 1895. Supple- ment, pp. 5, 87-124. Washington : 1895. Bulletin No. 20. Traction Tests, pp. 22; 2 plates, 7 cuts. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 18. Report of Committee on Legislation, adopted by the State Good Roads Convention, held in Richmond, Va., Oct. 10 and 11, 1895. pp. 6. Circular No. 19. TraflBc of the Country Roads, pp. 4. Washing- ton : 1896. Circular No. 20. Comments on Systems of Maintaining Country Roads, pp. 7. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 21. Methods of Constructing Macadamized Roads, pp. 12. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 22. Appeal for the promotion of investigations of this Department regarding public roads, etc. pp. 3. Washington : 1896. Circular No. 23. Money Value of Good Roads to Farmers, pp. 4. Washington: 1896. . Division of Statistics. Reports of the Statistician. New Series. Nos. 133-143. De- cember, 1895 — November, 1896. Washington: 1895, 1896. [Also] Synopses, etc. A Manual of Instructions to Crop Correspondents. New edition, pp. 23. Washington : 1896. 380 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Division of Statistics, continued. Miscellaneous Series. Bulletin No. 9. Production and Price of Cotton for one hundred years, pp.16. Washington: 1895. No. 10. Railway Charges for the Transportation of Wool. July, 1896. pp. 30. Washington: 1896. No. 11. Number and Value of Farm Animals of the United States, and Animal Products. 1880-1896. pp.63. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 1. Acreage, Production and Value of Principal Farm Crops in the United States, 1866-1895, with other data as to Cotton and Wool. pp.8. Washington: 1896. Circular No. 2, The Wheat Crop of the World. 1 sheet, 9.4X 5.8. [Repr. from Statistician's Report, March 1896.] Washington: 1896. — . Division of Vegetable Phtsiologt and Pathology. Bulletin No. 8. The Principal Diseases of Citrous Fruits in Florida. By Walter T. Swingle and Herbert J. Webber, pp. 42 ; 8 plates, colored and plain, 6 cuts. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 9. Bordeaux Mixture : its chemistry, physical prop- erties, and toxic effects on Fungi and Algae. By Walter T. Swingle, pp. 37. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 10. Copper Sulphate and Germination. Treatment of Seed with Copper Sulphate to prevent the attacks of Fungi. By Walter H. Evans, Ph. D. pp. 24. Washington, 1896. Bulletin No. 11. Legal Enactments for the Restriction of Plant Diseases. A Compilation of the Laws of the United States and Canada. By Erwin F. Smith, pp. 45. Washington : 1896. Bulletin No. 12. A Bacterial Disease of the Tomato, Eggplant, and Irish Potato. (Bacillus solanacearum n. sp.) By Erwin F. Smith. Issued December 19, 1896. pp. 26, (1) ; 2 plates (one colored:) Washington: 1896. Circular No. 6. (Botanical Division, Section of Vegetable Pa- thology.) Treatment of Black Rot of the Grape, pp. 3. [2d copy.] Circular No. 8. Experiments in the Treatment of Pear Leaf- Blight and the Apple Powdery Mildew, pp. 11; 2 cuts. Washing- ton : 1889. [2d copy.] ' — . Weather Bureau. Bulletin No. 13. Temperatures injurious to Food Products in Storage and during Transportation, and methods of protection from the same, pp.20. Washington: 1894. Bulletin No. 14. Report of the Third Annual Meeting of the American Association of State Weather Services cooperating with the Weatlier Bureau, U. S. Department of Agriculture, pp. 31. Washington: 1894. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 381 Bulletin No. 16. The Determination of the Relative Quantities of Aqueous Vapor in the Atmosphere by means of the Absorption Lines of the Spectrum, pp. 12; 1 plate, 1 table. "Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 17. The "Work of the "VN^'eather Bureau in connection with the rivers of the United States, pp. 106; 3 charts, 1 cut. "Washington: 1896. Bulletin No. 18. Report of the Fourth Annual Meeting of the American Association of State "Weather Services, cooperating with the "Weather Bureau, U. S. Department of Agriculture, held at In- dianapolis, Ind., Oct. 16 and 17, 1895. pp. 55. "Washington : 1896. Special Report of the Chief of the "Weather Bureau to the Secre- tary of Agriculture. 1891. Summary of the operations of the Bureau during the three months immediately following its transfer to the Department of Agricnlture, i. e. July 1 to October 1, 1891. pp.26; cuts. "Washington: 1891. [2d copy.] Circular A, Instrument Room. Revised edition. Instructions for obtaining and transcribing records from recording instruments, pp. 40; Scuts. "Washington: 1894. Circular B, Instrument Room. Revised edition. Instructions for use of Maximum and Minimum Thermometers, pp. 16; 8 cuts. "Washington : 1895. Circular C, Instrument Room. Revised edition. Instructions for use of the Rain Gauge, pp. 11 ; 3 cuts. Washington : 1895. Circular 1), Instrument Room. Anemometry. A circular of general information respecting the theory and operation of typical instruments for indicating, measuring, and automatically recording wind movement and direction, etc. pp. 40; 18 cuts. "Washington: 1893. Circular E, Instrument Room. Instructions for using Marvin's "Weighing Rain and Snow Gauge, pp. 16; 5 cuts. Washington: 1893. Circular F, Instrument Room. Barometers and the measurement of Atmospheric Pressure. Etc. pp. 74; 24 cuts. "Washington: 1894. Circular G, Instrument Room. Instructions for use of Combined Maximum and Minimum Soil Thermometers, pp. 8 ; 2 cuts. "Wash- ington : 1894. Circular H, Instrument Room. Instructions for the use of Maxi- mum and Minimum Radiation Thermometers, pp. 10; 5 cuts. "Washington, 1894. Instructions for Voluntary Observers, pp. 100; 21 cuts. "Wash- ington: 1892. Daily River Stages at River-Gauge Stations on the Principal Rivers of the United States for the years 1890, 1891, 1892. Part IV. pp. Ixvii. Washington : 1893. 382 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. United States Department of Agriculture. Weather Bureau, co7i- tinued. Instructions for using Glass Electrical Sunshine Recorder. Pat- tern 1893. pp. 4. Instructions to Special Rainfall Observers, pp. 22; 2 cuts. Washington : 1893. Instructions to Special River Observers of the Weather Bureau. pp.49; 7 cuts. Washington: 1894. Instructions to Observers and Code for Enciphering Reports at the Cotton-Region and Sugar and Rice Stations of the Weather Bureau, pp.39; 10 cuts. Washington: 1895. Monthly Weather Review. Vol. 23, Nos. 8-12, August to December, 1895, and No. 13, Annual Summary for 1895. Vol. 24. Nos. 1-10, January to October, 1896. 16 pamphs., gray, 12.5X.1X 10., charts. Washington: 1895 and 1896. Annual Summary of the New England Weather Service for the year 1894. (Reprinted from the Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College, Vol. XLI, — No. III.) Paniph., tea, 12.x. IX 10., pp. 63-93; plate III. Cambridge, Mass.: 1895. Same, for 1895. (Repr. Ann. Astron. Observ. Harv. Coll., Vol. XLI,— No. IV). pp. 95-131; 1 chart. Cambridge, Mass. : 1896. J. W. Smith, Director Weather Bureau, Boston, Mass. New England Section of the Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau. Report for 1896. pp.7; 2 charts. Washington: 1896. Bulletins of the New England Weather Service for the months of December, 1895 and January, 1896, Nos. 46 and 47. 2 pamphs., 11. X8. (Bulletins of the) New England Section of the Climate and Crop Service. Vol. I, Nos. 1-10, February to November, 1896. 10 pamphs., 12.3X9.5. [Continuation of New England Weather Service Bulletins.] Weekly Weather-Crop Bulletins of the New England Weather Service. Nos. 1-23. From the week-ending April 27, to the week ending September 29, 1896, inclusive. 23 sheets, 14. X 8.6. Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau, North Carolina Section. Announcement, Oct. 1st, 1896. Broadside, 10.8X8.3. Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science. Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Meeting, held at Buffalo, N. Y., 1896. Pamph., salmon-color, 9.2X.2X5.7, pp. 114; portrait, 3 plates, cuts. C. S. Plumb, Secretary. Nova Scotia, Secretary for Agriculture. Annual Report for the year 1895. Pamph., blue, 9. 6X. 3X6.4, pp. v, 208. Halifax: (1896). B. W. Chipman, Secretary for Agriculture. Nova Scotia. Provincial Government Crop Report, November, 1896. Pamph., 8.2X.1X5.6, pp. 65. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 383 The Montreal Exhibition and Eastern Farmers' Carnival. Fifth Provin- cial Exhibition. Sept. 11-19, 1896. Prize List, Rules, and Regula- tions. Pamph., pale green, 8.6X.IX0.7, pp. 83. S.C.Stevenson, Manager and Secretary. Ontario Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Industries for the Province of Ontario. (lOtb) Annual Report, 1891, parts IV and V. pp. 32. Toronto : 1892. (12th) Annual Report, 1893, parts IV and V. pp. 33. Part VI. pp. 103. Toronto : 1894. (13th) Annual Report, 1894, parts IV and V. pp. 32. Part VI. pp. viii, 168. Toronto : 1895. (14th) Annual Report, 1895, parts I-III. pp. viii, 148. Toronto: 1896. 6 pamphs., salmon-color, 9.6X.1-.3X6.5. C. C. James, Secretary. Bulletins 57-60. Crops and Livestock in Ontario. 4 pamphs., 7.7X— X5. Toronto: (1896). The Ontario Department of Agri- culture. Ontario, Farmers' Institutes of the Province of. Report of the Superin- tendent. 1895-6. (Published by the Ontario Department of Agri- culture, Toronto.) Pamph., salmon-color, 9. 7X. 4X6. 5, pp. iv, 248 ; cuts. Toronto : 1896. The Ontario Department of Agriculture. Ontario, Live Stock Associations of the Province of. Annual Reports. 1895-6. Pamph., salmon-color, 9.7X.3X6.5, pp. iv, 166; cuts. Toronto : 1896. The Ontario Department of Agriculture. Ontario, Dairymen's and Creameries' Associations of the Province of. Annual Reports. 1895. Pamph., salmon-color, 9.7X.5X6.5, pp. iv, 272. Toronto : 1896. The Ontario Department of Agriculture. Ontario Department of Agriculture. Road Bulletins. Nos. 1 and 2. 2 pamphs., 8.7X— X5.9, pp. 3 and 15. Toronto: (1896.) The Ontario Department of Agriculture. New Hampshire State Agricultural Society. Transactions. 1850-1854. 5 vols, bound in 3, black cloth, 8.7X1.1-1.4X5.5, pp.400, 400, 400; frontispieces, plates, cuts. Concord: 1853-1855. L. A. New Hampshire Board of Agriculture, Second Annual Report of the, to His Excellency the Governor, May 1, 1872. Prepared by James 0. Adams, Secretary. Black cloth, 9.1X1.5X5.8, pp.490, (1); por- trait, plates, cuts. Manchester : 1872. The family of Hon. Mar- shall P. Wilder. Vermont State Board of Agriculture. Twelfth Report, 1891-92. Black cloth, 9.X1.X6., pp, 399. Burlington, 1892. W. W. Cooke, Secretary. Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. Forty-third Annual Report of the Secretary, togetlier with the Eighth Annual Report of the Hatch Experiment Station of the Massachusetts Agricultural Col- lege. 1895. Black cloth, 9.1X1.8X6.1, pp. xiviii, 566, 190; 1 colored and 2 plain plates, 1 map, cuts. Boston : 1896. Hon. William R. Sessions, Secretary, State Board of Agriculture. 384 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. . Crop Reports for the months of May to October, 1896. Bulletins 1-6. Issued by William R. Sessions, Secretary, State Board of Agriculture. 6 pamphs., 9. X. 1X5. 5. Boston: 1896. The Secretary. — . Directory of the Agricultural and Similar Organizations in the State. February, 1896. Pamph., 9.2X— X5.8, pp. (395)-409. Hon. Williams R. Sessions, Secretary, State Board of Agriculture. , Regulations of the, concerning Farmers' Insti- tutes, with a list of available lecturers, and their subjects. Issued by the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture by vote of the Commit- tee on Agricultural College and Education. November 10, 1896. Pamph., 9.2X— X5.8, pp. 10. Boston: 1896. Hon. William R. Sessions, Secretary. Say State Agricultural Society. Joint Exhibition with the Worcester Agricultural Society, Sept. 1-4, 1896, at the grounds of the Worces- ter Society. Official Schedule of Premiums. Pamph., gray, 7.7 X .1X4.7, pp. 72. J. D. W. French. Bussey Institution (Harvard University). Bulletin. Vol. II, part "V. 1896. Facts gathered by observation and experience relating to the White Pine (Pinus Strobus, L.) Pamph., blue, 9.2X— X5.9, pp. 373-385. Cambridge : 1896. The Institution. Amesbury and Salisbury Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Pre- mium List for the year 1896, with the Constitution and By-Laws, and the Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports, of the Thirty-second Annual Fair, Amesbury, Sept. 24-26, 1895. Pamph., pale blue, 9. IX. IX 5.8, pp. 46. Amesbury : 1896. A. H. Fielden, Secretary. Barnstable County Agricultural Fair, Sept. 15-17, 1896. List of Pre- miums. Pamph., gray, 9.X — X5.8, pp. 29. Hyannis, Mass., 1896. Barnstable County Agricultural Society. Berkshire Agricultural Society. Transactions for 1895, and list of Pre- miums for Eighty-seventh Annual Exhibition, Sept. 15-17, 1896. Pamph., olive, 9.3X. 2X5.9, pp. 26, 39. Pittsfield, Mass.: 1896. The Society. Blackstone Valley Agricultural Society. Thirteenth Annual Fair, Sept. 29 and 30, 1896. Premium List. Pamph., green, 7.2X— X4.4, pp. 23. Uxbridge, Mass. : 1896. The Society. Bristol County Agricultural Society. Seventy-third Annual Exhibition, Sept. 22-24, 1896. Premium List. Pamph., 7.4X — X4.7, pp. 21. The Society. Deerfield Valley Agricultural Society. Programme of the Twenty-sixth Annual Cattle Show and Fair held at Charlemont, Sept. 17 and 18, 1896. Pamph., 7.2X— X3.2. pp. 12. S. W. Hawkes, Secretary. Eastern Hampden Agricultural Society. Premium List of the Forty-fourth Annual Exhibition, Palmer, Mass., Sept. 22 and 23, 1896. Pamph., green, 7.5X— X4.5, pp. 31. Palmer, Mass. : 1896. F. D. Barton, Secretary and Treasurer. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 385 Essex Agricultural Society. Arrangements, Premiums and Committees for the Seventy-sixth Annual Exhibition at Peabody, Sept. 22-24, 1896. Pamph., gray. 7.4X— X4.5, pp. 41. John M. Danforth, Secretary. Franklin County Agricultural Society. Premium List and Programme of the Forty-seventh Annual Cattle Show and Fair, at Greenfield, Mass., Sept. 24 and 25, 1896. Pamph., fawn-color, 5.9X — X3.1, pp. 24. William S. Allen, Secretary. Hampden County Fair, to be held at "Westfield, Mass., Sept. 24 and 25, 1896. Premium List. Pamph., tea, 6.8X— X4.4, pp. 28. West- field, Mass. : 1896. William H. Foote, Secretary. Hampshire County Agricultural Society. Premium List for Forty-seventh Annual Cattle Show and Fair, Amherst, Mass., Sept. 29-30, 1896. Pamph., 5.3X— X3., pp. 15. The Society. Hillside Agricultural Society. Transactions for the year 1895. Also General Arrangements for the Twenty-eighth Annual Exhibi- tion of the Society at Cummington, September, 1896. Pamph., fawn-color, 8.8X — X5.9, pp. 36. West Cummington, Mass. : 1896. Wm. G. Atkins, Secretary. Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Transactions for the year 1895. Pamph., flesh-color, 9.2X. 2X5.8, pp.88, (4). William H. Thomas, Secretary. Hoosac Valley Agricultural Society. Thirty-sixth Annual Report. Tran- sactions, 1895, and Premium List, 1896. Pamph., bufip, 8.9 X. 2 X 5.7, pp. 99, 46. North Adams, Mass. : 1896. The Society. Housatonie Agricultural Society, Great Barrington, Mass. Transactions, 1895 and Premium List, 1896. Pamph., pink, 9.2X.1X5.8, pp. 79. The Society. Marshfleld Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Transactions during the year 1895. Containing List of Premiums during the year 1896. Pamph., buff, 8.8X.1X5.6, pp. 24. Plymouth: 1806. Francis Collamore, Secretary. Middlesex South Agricultural Society. Transactions for 1895. With the Premium List, the Committees, and the Regulations for the Exhibi- tion of 1896. Pamph., blue, 9.X— X5.8, pp. 24. South Framing- ham, Mass. : 1895. Geo. C. Blades, Secretary. Nantucket Agricultural Society. List of Premiums offered for its Forty- first Cattle Show and Fair, Sept. 2-3, 1896. Pamph., fawn-color, 8.6X— X6.8, pp. 17. Nantucket : 1895. The Society. Oxford (Mass.) Agricultural Society. Annual Cattle Show and Exhibition of Horses, Poultry, Fruits, Flowers, Vegetables, etc. Sept. 22-23, 1896. Premium List. Pamph., blue, 9.X— X5.6, pp. 17. The Society. Plymouth County Agricultural Society. List of Premiums, 1896. Pamph. blue, 8. 2 X. 1X5.5, pp. 25. The Society. Spencer Farmers' and Mechanics' Association. Eighth Annual Report with premiums offered for 1896. Pamph., salmon-color, 7.6X.2X 5.1, pp. 98. Spencer, Mass. : 1896. The Association. 386 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. "Weymouttl Agricultural and Industrial Society. Transactions during the year 1895. Pamph., yellow, S.-IX.IXS.S, pp. 45. Weymouth: 1896. H. W. Dyer, Secretary. Worcester County West Agricultural Society. Transactions for 1895, and Premium List and Regulations for 1896. Pamph., drab, 9.X .1X5.9, pp. 66. Barre, Mass. : (1896.) The Society. Worcester East Agricultural Society. Transactions for 1895. With list of Committees and Premiums for 1896. Pamph., gray, 9.2X .1X5.7, pp. 44. Clinton : 1896. The Society. Worcester North Agricultural Society. Transactions for the year 1895, together with a list of the Committees and Premiums for 1896. Pamph., gray, 9. X. 2X5.9, pp. 76. Fitchburg : 1896. John W. Ogden, Secretary. Worcester Northwest Agricultural and Mechanical Society. Official List of Premiums arranged by the Trustees for the (Thirtieth) Annual Fair, (at Athol), Oct. 6 and 7, 1896. Pamph., blue, 7.X.2X5., pp. 64. Athol, Mass. J. H. Humphrey, Secretary. Worcester South Agricultural Society. Forty-first Annual Report for 1895 and Premium List for 1896. Pamph., pink, 8.9X.1X5.7, pp. 59. Southbridge : 1895. The Society. Rhode Island State Board of Agriculture. Tenth Annual Report made . . . January, 1895. Black cloth, 9. 2X 1.3X6.2, pp. 505; por- trait, plates, map. Providence : 1895. George A. Stockwell, Secre- tary. Eleventh Annual Report, made January, 1896. Black cloth, 9.2X1.4X6.4, pp. 472, 63; portrait, plates, 1 map. Providence: 1896. George A. Stockwell, Secretary. [10 copies.] Connecticut Board of Agriculture. Twenty-ninth Annual Report of the Secretary, 1895. Black cloth, 9.1X1.9X6.3, pp. 258, xx, 320, 216, 21; plates, cuts. Hartford: 1896; New Haven: 1896; and Middletown: 1896. T. S. Gold, Secretary. New York State Dairy Commissioner. Eighth Annual Report for the year 1891. Dark green cloth, 9.2X1.2X5.9, pp. 518, cuts. Al- bany : 1892. Ninth Annual Report for the year 1892. Green cloth, 9.1X1.SX 6., pp. 898; 1 portrait. Albany: 1893. New York State Department of Agriculture. First Annual Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for the year 1893. Vol. I. pp. 814. Albany : 1894. Second Annual Report for 1894. Vol. I, pp. 1360. Vol. II, Sixth Annual Report of the New York Weather Bureau, 1894. pp. 317; also Seventh Annual Report of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, N. Y., 1S94. pp. 702; cuts. Vol. III., Thirteenth Annual Report of the Board of Control of the New York Agricul- tural Experiment Station, Geneva, for the year 18y4. pp. 806 ; cuts. Albany : 1895. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 387 4 vols., green cloth, 9.3X1.5-2.6X6. C. A. Wieting, Commis- sioner. Ohio State Board of Agriculture. Twenty-second and Thirty-fifth to Fif- tieth Annual Reports. For the years 1867 and 1880 to 1895, inclu- sive. 17 vols., black cloth, 9.8X1.4-3.3X7. Columbus, (and Norwalk, 48th) : 1868 and 1881-1896. W. W. Miller, Secretary. Illinois State Board of Agriculture. Statistical Reports 171-173, Dec. 1, 1895, May 1 and June 20, 1896. Summaries of the Reports of Correspondents as to the Condition and Yield of the Crops, Live Stock, Fruit, etc., made to the Illinois State Board of Agriculture. 3 pamphs., yellow, 8.9 X. 2X5. 8, pp. 90, 32 and 30. Springfield: 1895, 1896. W. C. Garrard, Secretary. Michigan State Board of Agriculture. Thirty-first Annual Report of the Secretary, July 1, 1891 to June 30, 1892, pp. 607; portrait, cuts. Lansing : 1892. Thirty-third Report, 1893-'94. pp. 531 ; frontispiece, plates, cuts, table. Lansing : 1894. Thirty-fourth Report, 1894-95. pp. (2), 900; portrait, plan, cuts. Lansing: 1896. 3 vols., black cloth, 9.5X1.3-1.8X6.5. I. H. Butterfield, Secre- tary. Missouri State Board of Agriculture. Thirteenth Annual Report, for the year 1878. pp. 351, v. Fifteenth Annual Report for the years 1880 and 1881. pp. 426. Twenty-third Annual Report for the years 1890-91. pp. 787, xxiv; plates, cuts, chart. Twenty-fifth Annual Report for the year 1892. pp. 363, ii. Twenty-seventh Annual Report, for the year 1894. pp. 368, iii. Twenty-eighth Annual Report for the year 1895. pp. 387, iv; plates, cuts, charts. 2 pamphs., 4 vols., cloth., 8.8-9.5X.8-1.8X6.5. Jefferson City: 1879, 1881, 1891, 1893, 1895 and 1896. J. R. Rippey, Secretary. Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Fifth Biennial Report, 1885-86. pp. 604, 237 ; frontispiece, maps, diagrams, etc. Topeka : 1887. Sixth Biennial Report, 1887-88. pp. 546, 258 ; frontispiece, maps, diagrams, etc. Topeka: 1889. Seventh Biennial Report, 1889-90. pp. 282, 260; frontispiece, plates, cuts, etc. Topeka: 1891. Ninth Biennial Report. 1893-94. pp. 537 ; plates, cuts, map, etc. Topeka: 1895. 4 vols., cloth, 9.4X1.2-2.3X6.5. . Report for the year ending December 31, 1893. Pamph., fawn-color, 9.1X.2X6., pp. 110. Topeka: 1894. . Report for the month ending June 30, 1894. pp. 57 ; 3 charts. Report for the month ending Dec. 31, 1895. pp. 136. 2 pamphs., fawn-color, S.9X.1-.3X6. Topeka: 1894, 1895. 388 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. . Report for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 1885. pp. 190 ; 1 map. For quarter ending March 31, 1894. pp. 148, (1); cuts. " " " Sept. 30, 1894. pp. 207 ; cuts. " " *' March 31, 1895. pp. 216; plates, chart. " " " " 1896. pp 230; cuts. " " " Sept. 30, 1896. pp. 264 ; plates, cuts. 6 pamphs., fawn-color, etc. Topeka : 1886-1896. F. D. Coburn, Secretary. Louisiana Department of Agriculture. Condition and Prospect of Crops. Reports of Parish Correspondents. Circulars 1-7. January to December, 1896. 7 pamphs., 9.X— X6. Baton Rouge: 1896. A. V. Carter and J. G. Lee, Commissioners. Colorado State Board of Agriculture. Annual Report, 1890. pp. 106, Denver: 1891. Annual Report, 1891. pp. 88. Fort Collins : 1892. " " 1892. pp.29. Denver: 1893. " " 1893. pp. 78, (2) ; frontispiece, cut. Fort Col- lins : 1894. 4 pamphs., fawn-color, etc. Daniel W. Working, Secretary. and the State Agricultural College. Sixteenth Annual Report, 1894. pp. 68, (1). Denver: 1894. Seventeenth Annual Report, etc. 1895. pp. 164. Denver: 1896. 2 pamphs., pink, straw-color, 9. X .1-4X5.8. Daniel W. Working, Secretary. , the State Agricultural College and the Agricul- tural Experiment Stations, Laws relating to the. In force August 1st, 1894. Compiled by authority and under direction of the State Board of Agriculture. Pamph., buff, 9.X.1X6., pp. 58, (1). Fort Collins: 1894. Daniel W. Working, Secretary State Board of Agriculture. Colorado, Agricultural Statistics of the State of. 1883, 1886, 1892, and 1893. Compiled by the Secretary of the State Board of Agricul- ture. 4 pamphs., gray, pink, etc., 8.8X — X5.8, pp. 16, 30, 8, and 23. Denver: 1884, 1888, 1894 and 1895. Daniel W. Working, Secretary. Leeward Islands Gazette, Supplement to the. 27th August, 1896. Report on the cultivation of different varieties of Sugar Cane at Skerrett's Farm, with the view of ascertaining which varieties are best able to resist disease. By F. Watts and F. R. Shepherd. Pamph., 13. 2X — X8.4, pp. (7). The Department of Agriculture, St. John's, Antigua. Leeward Islands. Report on the Sugar Industry in Antigua. By Francis VVatts. Pamph., dull green, ll.lX — X8., pp. 10. The Depart- ment of Agriculture, St. Johns, Antigua. LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 389 Timehri : Being the Journal of the Eoyal Agricultural and Commercial Society of British Guiana. New Series. Vol. IX, Part II, December, 1895. Edited by James Rodway, F. L. S. pp. 207-393. Demerara : (1895.) Vol. X, Part 1, June 1896. pp.222; 1 plate. Demerara: 1896. 2 parts, light green paper, 8. 6X. 6X5. 5. S. F. Sociedad Rural Argentina, Anales de la. Vol. 30, 1896. 9 pamphs., blue, ll.X— X7.5, pp. 280; cuts. Buenos Aires. [1896.] The Society. AsOCiacion Rural del Uruguay. Revista. Vol. 25, 1896. 24 pamphs., 10.3X— X7.1, pp. 607. Montevideo: 1896. The Association. . Primer Congreso Ganadero-Agricola celebrado por la. Marzo y Abril de 1895. Pamph., yellow, 9. 7X 1.1X6.7, pp. xxxii, 494; 1 plate. Montevideo: 189C. The Association. Royal Agricultural Society of England. Journal. Third Series. Vol. 6, part IV.— No. 24, 31st December, 1895. pp. viii, viii, 621-808, clxiii-cxciv; cuts. London: 1895. Vol. 7, parts 1-3, Nos. 25-27, 31st March, 30th June and 30th September, 1896. pp. 600, clx; cuts. London: 1896. 4 parts, blue paper, 8. 4X. 6X5. 4. S. F. Scotland, Highland and Agricultural Society of. Transactions, with an abstract of the Proceedings at board and general meetings, and the Premiums offered by the Society in 1896. Fifth Series. Vol. VIII, with Index to Volumes I-VII. Edited by James Macdonald, F. R. S. E., Secretary to the Society. Blue cloth, 9. X 1.4X5.9, pp. iv, 442, 87, iii, 35. Edinburgh : 1896. S. F. County Cork Agricultural Society, Publications of the. No. VI. General Report of Experiments on Potato Culture made under the auspices of the Society, at the Munster Dairy School Farm, in the years 1880, 1881, 1882 & 1883. By W. K. Sullivan, Ph.D., D.Sc, Presi- dent of Queen's College, Cork. Pamph., green, 8. 5 X. IX 5. 5, pp. 25, (31). Cork: 1884. J. D. W. French. Queensland Department of Agriculture, Brisbane. Bulletin No. 8, February, 1891. Recent Experiments made at the American Agricultiiral Experiment Stations. Edited by E. M. Shelton, Instructor in Agriculture, pp.24. Brisbane: 1891. Bulletin No. 11, September, 1891. Suggestions for Building a Cool Dairy, pp.4; 3 plates. Brisbane: 1891. Bulletin No. 16, January, 1892. The Establishment of Cream- eries ; Insecticides ; ^Manures and their preservation ; Ramie Cul- ture ; Clarifying Re-agent in Sugar Making ; and Potato Trials. Excerpts from reports of American Experiment Stations with notes and comments on the same. By E. M. Shelton. pp. 27 ; cuts, 3 diagrams. Brisbane : 1892. Bulletin No. 21, February, 1893. Botany Bulletin No. VII. Contributions to the Queensland Flora. By F. M. Bailey, F. L. S., Colonial Botanist, pp. (2), 59-69. Brisbane : 1893. 390 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES, BOARDS, ETC., continued. Bulletin No. 4, second series., October, 1894. The Disease affect- ing the Orange Orchards of Wide Bay, and the Insect Pests preva- lent therein. By Henry Tryon, Entomologist, pp. 17. Brisbane: 1894. Bulletin No. 6. Wheat-Growing Experiments, with Observations on the general subject of wheat-growing in Queensland. By E. M. Shelton. pp. 30. Brisbane : 1895. Bulletin No. 7, July, 1895. The Use of Maize as Human Food. Introductory Article by E. M. Shelton. Recipes selected by Mrs. Shelton. pp. 16. Brisbane: 1895. Bulletin No. 8. Practical Poultry Farming. By Mrs. Lance Rawson. pp. 44. Brisbane : 1896. Bulletin No. 9. Dairying. By John Mahon. pp. 39. Brisbane : 1896. Bulletin No. 10. Report on the Olive Tree and Olive Oil of Tus- cany. By Major Chapman, pp. 7. Brisbane : 1896. Bulletin No. 11, September, 1896. Soil Wastes in the Cane Field. By E. M. Shelton. pp. 19. Brisbane : 1896. Botany Bulletin No. XIII, April 1896. Contributions to the Queensland Flora. By F. M. Bailey, F. L. S., Colonial Botanist. pp.80; 4 plates. Brisbane: 1896. Botany Bulletin No. XIV, October, 1896. Contributions to the Queensland Flora. By F. M. Bailey, pp.16; 6 plates. Brisbane: 1896. 12 pamphs., 8.5X.1X5.5. The Department of Agriculture, Brisbane, Queensland. New South Wales, The Agricultural Gazette of. Published by the De- partment of Agriculture. Vol. VII. January — November, 1896. Dark blue cloth, 9.6X2.8X6.4, pp. xix, 828; plates, cuts. Syd- ney : 1897. The Director of the Department of Agriculture, N. S. W. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIHENT STATIONS, ETC. The following Bulletins and Reports have been received during the year from the Agricultural Experiment Stations of the United States and Canada, and are presented by the directors of the respective stations. Alabama. — Bulletins 66-72. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Arizona. — Bulletins 15-21. Arkansas. — Bulletins 37-42. California.— Bulletins 109-112. Report for the year 1894-95. Colorado. — Bulletins 33 and 34. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. CoNNECTicoT. {Neiv Haven Station). — Bulletins 122 and 123. Nineteenth Annual Report, for 1895. {Storrs Station). — Bulletins 16 and 17. Eighth Annual Re- port, for 1895. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 391 Delaware. — Bulletins 29-33. Seventh Annual Report, for eighteen months closing June 30, 1895. Florida.— Bulletins 30-35. Georgia.— Bulletins 29-32. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Idaho. — (Third) Annual Report, for 1895. Illinois. — Bulletins 41-45. Seventh and Eighth Annual Re- ports, for 1893-94 and 1894-95. Indiana.— Bulletins 57-60. Special Bulletin, 2 editions. Seventh and Eighth Annual Reports, for 1894 and 1895. Iowa. — Bulletins 32 and 33. Kansas.— Bulletins 54-61. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Kentucky.— Bulletins 59-64. Seventh and Eighth Annual Re- ports, for 1894 and 1895. Louisiana.— Bulletins 38-44. Seventh and Eighth Annual Re- ports, for 1894 and 1895. Maine. — Bulletins 15-25. Annual Report for 1894. Maryland. — Bulletins 37-42. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Massachusetts.— Bulletins 35-42. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Meteorological Division. — Bulletins 84-95. Michigan.— Bulletins 129-134. Eighth Annual Report, for 1895. Minnesota. — Bulletins 42-47. Annual Report for 1894. Northwest Weather and Crops. — Vol. I, Nos. 9 and 10. Mississippi.- Bulletins 36-39. Seventh and Eighth Annual Re- ports, for 1894 and 1895. Missouri. — Bulletin 31. Montana.— Bulletins 7-10. Second Annual Report, for 1894-95. Nebraska. — Bulletins 42-44. Ninth Annual Report, for 1895. Nevada. — Bulletins 28-31. New Hampshire.— Bulletins 30-39. Sixth Annual Report, for 1893-94. (Seventh Annual Report, for 1894-95 = Bulletin 31.) New Jersey.— Bulletins 113-116. Sixteenth Annual Report of the State Station, and Eighth Annual Report of the College Station, for 1895. New Mexico.— Bulletins 14-19. Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Morrill Fund, for 1893-94 and 1894-95. Fifth and Sixth Reports of the Experiment Station, for 1803-94 and 1894-95. Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Reports of the College of Agriculture, for 1893, 1894, and 1895. Fourth and Fifth College Catalogues, for 1893-94 and 1894-95. New York. {State Station.) — Bulletins 05-108. {Cornell University Station). — Bulletins 104-121. Seventh Annual Report, for 1894. 392 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS, ETC., continued. North Carolina. — Bulletins 117-131. Special Bulletins 24, 31-38. Meteorological Division. — Bulletins 75-83. Ninth Annual Report, for 1895. Weekly Weather Crop Bulletins., 1-25, for 1895. North Dakota. — Bulletins 21-23. Ohio.— Bulletins 62-72. Oklahoma. — Bulletins 14-19. Oregon.— Bulletins 38-42. Pennsylvania. — Bulletins 32-34. Rhode Island. — Bulletins 33-41. South Carolina. — Bulletins 21-26. Seventh and Eighth Annual Reports, for 1894 and 1895. SoDTH Dakota. — Bulletins 45-48. Eighth Annual Report, for 1894-95. Tennessee. — Bulletins, Vol. 8, Nos. 1-4. Texas.— Bulletins 37-39. Seventh and Eighth Annual Reports, for 1894 and 1895. UtahT — Bulletins 40-45. Fifth and Sixth Annual Reports, for 1894 and 1895. Vermont. — Bulletins 49-53. Virginia.— Bulletins 46-56, 61 and 62. (Fifth) and (Sixth) Annual Reports, for 1893-94 and 1894-95. Washington. — Bulletins 19 and 20. Fourth and Fifth Annual Reports, for 1893-94 and 1894-95. West Virginia. — Bulletins 40-44. Special Bulletin, September, 1896. Wisconsin. — Bulletins 44-54. Twelfth Annual Report, for 1894-95. Wtoming.— Bulletins 26-29. Canada. — Central Uxperimental Farm,, Ottawa, Bulletins 24 and 25. [Seventh, Eighth and Ninth] Annual Reports, for 1893, 1894, and 1895. Report of the Horticulturist, 1895. Ontario Agricultural College Experiment Station, Guelph, Bulletins 101-103. Twenty-first Annual Report, for 1895. Massachusetts Agricultural College. 33rd Annual Report. January, 1896. Pamph., tea, 9. IX. 8X5. 8, pp. 353; plates, colored and plain, cuts. Boston : 1896. H. H. Goodell, President. Michigan State Agricultural College. Report of the Botanical Depart- ment for the year closing June 30, 1895. By W. J. Beal, M. S., Ph.D. Pamph., fawn-color, 9. IX— X6. 4, pp. 51-76; 1 plan. The Author. West Virginia Agricultural College. Descriptive Circular. Pamph., 5.3X— X4.2, pp.31, (13); cuts. Experimental Farm of the North Carolina State Horticultural Society, Southern Pines, N. C. First Annual Report, for 1895. Fertilizer LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 393 Tests conducted by the North Carolina State Horticultural Society in cooperation with the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station and the German Kali Works. Pamph., light blue, 9.2X.1X 5.8, pp. 45; 2-t cuts. Raleigh, N. C. : 1896. H. B. Battle, Direc- tor, Agricultural Experiment Station. NOXIOUS PLANTS. Beal, W. J. Points on Weeds. Pamph., 8.9X— X6., pp. 3. Stevens, W. C, M.S., Editor. The Russian Thistle: its character, presence in Kansas, and suggestions for its extermination. Pub- lished by the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, month of August, 1894. Pamph., fawn-color, 8.8X—X6., pp. 15; 5 plates. Topeka : 1894. F. D. Coburn, Secretary, State Board of Agriculture. INSECTS. Fernald, C. H., A. M., Ph.D. The Crambidffi of North America. Pamph., blue, 9. X. 2X5. 8, pp. 93; plates A-C, colored plates 1-6, cuts. Massachusetts Agricultural College, January, 1896. The College. Ormerod, Eleanor A., F. R. Met. Soc. Report of Observations of Inju- rious Insects and Common Farm Pests, during the year 1895, with Methods of Prevention and Remedy. Nineteenth Report. Salmon- colored paper, 9. 6X. 3X6.1, pp. x, 156; 2 plates, cuts. London: 1896. S. F. Ontario Entomological Society. Twenty-sixth Annual Report. 1895. Published by the Ontario Department of Agriculture, Toronto. Pamph., terra-cotta, 9.6X.2X6.5, pp. 102; 2 portraits, cuts. Toronto : 1896. W. E. Saunders, Secretary. Canadian Entomologist, The. Edited by the Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, and others. Vol.28, 1896. 12 pamphs., tea, 8.9X — X5.7, pp. 319; 4 plates, cuts. London, Ont. : 1896. J. Alston Moffat, Librarian Entomological Society. Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture. Report on the work of Ex- termination of the Gypsy Moth. January, 1896. Pamph., tea, 9.1 X .1X5.8, pp. 44; col. frontispiece, 2 plates. Boston: 1896. Hon. William R. Sessions, Secretary, State Board of Agriculture. Porbush, Edward H., and Charles H. Fernald, A. M., Ph.D. The Gypsy Moth. Porthetria dispar (Linn.) A Report of the Work of Destroying the Insect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts together with an account of its history and habits both in Massachu- setts and Europe. Published under the direction of the State Board of Agriculture by authority of the Legislature. Black cloth, 9. IX 1.8X6., pp. xii, 495, c; colored and plain plates, cuts, maps. Bos- ton : 1896. E. H. Forbush. New York State Entomologist, Report of the, to the Regents of the Uni- versity of the State of New York. For the year 1893. (From the Forty-seventh Report on the New York State Museum.) By J. A. Lintner, Pli.D. Pamph., fawn, 9.1X— X5.7, pp. 175-197. Albany : 1894. Prof. Lintner. 394 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. INSECTS, continued. New York, Injurious and other Insects of the State of. Tenth Report, for the year 1894. [From the Forty-eighth Report on the New York State Museum.] By J. A. Lintner, Ph.D., State Entomolo- gist. Green cloth, 9. IX. 7X5. 9, pp. 339-633, (1),; 4 plates, cuts. Albany : 1895. Prof. Lintner. Illinois, Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of, Eighteenth Report of the State Entomologist on the. (Seventh Report of S. A. Forbes.) For the years 1891 and 1892. Paraph., tea, 8. 8X. 5X5.8, pp. xi, 171, xiii; 15 plates. Springfield, 111. : 1894. L. A. PLANT DISEASES, ETC. Atkinson, George F. Carnation Diseases. (Paper presented before the American Carnation Society at their annual meeting, Feb. 22, 1893, at Pittsburgh.) Pamph., 11.7X— X8.7, pp. (10) ; 33 cuts. Thomas Harrison. Rutgers College and Rutgers Scientific School, Extension Department of the New Jersey State College for the benefit of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. Syllabus No. 12. Agricultural Botany. Part II. Fungous Diseases of Cultivated Plants. Six Lectures by Byron D. Halsted, Sc. D. Pamph., 7.6X— X5.4, pp. 36. New Brunswick, N. J. : 1896. Prof. Byron D. Halsted. Victoria Department of Agriculture. Systematic Arrangement of Austra- lian Fungi, together with Host-Index and List of Works on the subject. By D. McAlpine, Government Vegetable Pathologist. Pamph., light blue, 10. 8X. 7X8.6, pp. vi., (1), 236, (1). Mel- bourne : 1895. M. S. Dowden, Librarian, Public Library, Museums and National Gallery of Victoria. SPRAYING. XiOdeman, E. G., Instructor in Horticulture in the Cornell University. The Spraying of Plants. A succinct account of the history, prin- ciples, and practice of the application of liquids and powders to plants for the purpose of destroying insects and fungi. With a preface by B. T. Galloway, Chief of the Division of Vegetable Pathology, United States Department of Agriculture. Dull blue cloth, 7.2X1. X5., pp. xvii, 399; 1 portrait, 92 cuts. New York and London : 1896. S. F. Galloway, B. T., and A. F. Woods. Spraying with Fungicides as a means of Increasing the Growth and Productiveness of Plants. (Reprint from Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Springfield, Mass., 1895.) Pamph., 9. 2X — X5.8, pp. 42-53. B. T. Galloway. GENERAL BOTANY. £ngler. A., und K. Prantl, fortgesetzt von A. Engler. Die natiirlichen Pfianzenfamilien nebst ihren Gattuugen und wichtigeren Arten LIBRARY ACCESSIOXS, 1896. 395 insbesondere den Nutzpflanzen, etc. Lieferungen 128-141. 12 pamphs., 10.1X.1-.3X7., plates, cuts. Leipzig: 1895-96. S. F. Hooker's Icones Plantarum; or figures, with descriptive characters and remarks, of new and rare plants selected from the Kew Herbarium. Fourth Series. Vol. V, Part /, November, 1895. Edited for the Bentham Trustees by Daniel Oliver, F. K. S., F. L. S. Under the authority of the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Plates 2401-2425, with descriptive text. London : 1895. Parts IT- IV, January, May and July, 189G. Edited for the Bentham Trustees by W. T. Thiselton Dyer, C. M. G., C. I. E., M. A., B. Sc, Ph.D., F. R. S., Director Royal Gardens, Kew. Plates 2426-2500, with descriptive text. London: 1896. Half green morocco, 9. XI. 8X6. S. F. Delessert, Benj. Icones selectae plantarum quas in systemate universali, ex herbariis Parisiensibus, prjesertim ex Lessertiano descripsit Augustin Pyramus De Candolle, ex archetypis speciminibus a P. J. F. Turpin delineatae. 5 vols., dark blue cloth, pp. 26, 28, 68, 52 and 53; 100 plates in each volume. Parisiis : 1820-1846. S. F. Snelgrove, Edward, B.A. Object Lessons in Botany from Forest, Field, Wayside and Garden. (Book II., for Standards III, IV, & V.) Being a Teacher's Aid to a systematic course of one hundred lessons for boys and girls. Green cloth, 7. 5X. 9X5.1, pp. xviii, 11-297; frontispiece, 153 cuts. London : (1894.) S. F. Baillon, Henri, and others. Dictionnaire de Botanique. 4 vols., half dark green morocco, 12.6X1.3-2.4X8.9, pp. xii, 788; 776; 756; 340: colored plates, cuts. Paris: 1876, 1886, 1891, 1892. S. F. Leopoldina, Botanisches Beiblatt zur. 1895. Compositae nova; Costaricenses. Auctore Dr. F. W. Klatt. pp. 8. Neue afrikanische Compositen. Auctore Dr. F. W. Klatt. pp.2. Zur Mechanik der Spaltofifnungsbewegung. Von Professor Dr. F. G. Kohl in Marburg, pp. 4. 3 pamphs., 12.7X — X9.8. Prof. Dr. K. v. Fritsch. ECONOMIC BOTANY. Wissett, Robert, F. R. and A. S. A Treatise on Hemp, including a com- prehensive account of the best modes of Cultivation and Prepara- tion as practised in Europe, Asia, and America ; with observations on the Sunn Plant of India, which may be introduced as a substi- tute for many of the purposes to which hemp is now exclusively applied. With an Appendix on the most effectual means of produc- ing a sufficiency of English grown Hemp. Half maroon morocco, 11.5X1.X9.3, pp. xvi., 296; 5 plates. London : 1808. S. F. Forbes, G. S. Reports on the Fibres of Southern India. Selections from the Records of the Madras Government. Blue-green cloth, 9.8X.9X6.4, pp. 167. Madras: 1856. S. F. 396 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ECONOMIC BOTANY, coniinued. Hector, James, M.D., F. R. S., Editor. Phormium tenax as a Fibrous Plant. Being selections from the reports of the Commissioners ap- pointed by the New Zealand Government, 1870-1872. (Colonial Museum and Geological Survey Department.) Dark blue cloth, 9.4X.6X6., pp. V, (3), 13-i. Wellington, New Zealand: 1872. S. F. Henney, Thomas. Prize Essay on the Cultivation of the Sugar Cane. (Reprinted from the Supplement to the Jamaica Times. Kingston, Saturday, Nov. 18, 1843.) Pamph., blue, 8.9X— Xo.8, pp. 12. L. A. Cooke, Dr. M. C. Report on the Oil Seeds and Oils in the India Museum, or produced in India. Prepared under the direction of the Reporter on the Products of India. (By J. Forbes Watson). Tea paper, 13.x. 2X8. 3, pp. 85; 41 cuts. London : 1876. S. F. MEDICAL BOTANY. Strong, A. B., M.D. The American Flora, or History of Plants and Wild Flowers : containing their scientific and general description, natural history, chemical and medical properties, mode of culture, propa- tion, etc., designed as a book of reference for botanists, physicians, florists, gardeners, students, etc. 4 vols, half black morocco, y 8X1.2X7.5, pp. 190, 192, 184, and 184; colored plates 52, 47, 45, and 45. New York : 1849-1851. S. F. XiUersseu, Dr. Chr. Medicinisch-Pharmaceutische Botanik, zugleich als Handbuch der systematischen Botanik fiir Botaniker, Arzte und Apotheker. 2 vols. Vol. I. Kryptogamen. pp. xii, 657; 181 cuts. Leipzig: 1879. Vol. II. Phanerogamen. pp. x, ii, 1229; 231 cuts. Leipzig: 1882. Half red morocco, 9.4X 1.7-3.X6.6. Dr. W. P. Bolles. Guibourt, N. J. B. G. Histoire naturelle des Drogues simples, ou Cours d'Histoire naturelle. Septieme edition corrigee et augmentee par G. Planchon. Precedee de I'f^loge de Guibourt par H. Buignet. 4 vols, bound in 2. Half green morocco, 8.5X2.5X5.8, pp. xxxviii, 584; 608; 778; 463: 1077 cuts. Paris : 1876. Dr. W. P. Bolles. TERRITORIAL BOTANY. Britton, Nathaniel Lord, Ph.D., and Hon. Addison Brown. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States, Canada, and the British Pos- sessions ; from Newfoundland to the Parallel of the southern Boun- dary of Virginia, and from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the 102d meridian. The descriptive text chiefly prepared by Professor Britton, with the assistance of specialists in several groups; the figures also drawn under his supervision. In three volumes. Vol. I. Ophioglossaceae to Aizoaceae. Ferns to Carpet-weed. Olive-green LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 397 cloth, 11.1X1.5X7.7, pp. xii, 612; 1425 cuts. New York: 1896. S. F. Minnesota Botanical Studies. Edited by Conway MacMillan, State Botanist. Parts I, III, VIII, and IX. Jan. 16 and June 9, 1894, and April 30 and Nov. 30, 1896. (Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota, Bulletin 9. [Botanical Series II.]) 4paniphs.> blue, 9.7X.1-.3X6.4, pp. 38; 87-175; 483-600; 601-701: plates3; 28-30; 31-39. Minneapolis, Minn. : 1894 and 1896. Conway Mac- Millan, State Botanist, and Miss C. M. Endicott (Part III) . Browne, Patrick, M. D. The Civil and Natural History of Jamaica. Full calf, 16.5X2. XIO. 3, pp. viii, 503, (2); 50 plates, map. Lon- don : 1756. John G. Barker. Baillon, H. Iconographie de la Flore Frangaise. 5 vols., olive-green cloth, 7.6X1.1X5., 100 colored plates in each volume, and descrip- tive text. Paris : n. d. S. F. Buc'hoz, Pierre Joseph. Traite historique des plantes qui croissent dans la Lorraine et les trois Eveches. 10 vols, (bound in 5), half calf, 6.4X1.-1.5X4.2. Paris: 1770. S. F. Reiclienbach, L., et H. G. Reichenbach, fil. Icones Florae Germaniae et Helveticae simul terrarum adjacentium ergo mediae Europae. Tom. 23. Decas 1. Green paper, 12. 6X .1X6.7., pp. 8 ; 10 colored plates. Lipsiae: n. d. (1896). S. F. Candolle, Augustin Pyramus de. Histoire de la Botanique Genevoise. Discours prononce a la Ccremonie Academique des Promotions, le 14 juin 1830. (Mem. de la soc. de physique et d'hist. nat. de Geneve, Vol. V, part 1.) Pamph., blue, 10. IX. 2X8. 2, pp. 61. Geneve et Paris : 1830. Parlatore, Filippo, continuata da Teodoro Caruel. Flora Italiana. Indice generale del dieci volumi della Flora Italiana. Blue paper, 9.2 X — X6.1, pp. 31. Firenze: Aprile, 1896. S. F. Cesati, V., G. Passerini e G. Gibelli. Compendio della Flora Italiana. Ease. 40, (in continuation). Pink paper, 10. 7X. 1X7.7, plates 124- 129, with descriptive text. Milano, Napoli, etc. : n. d. S. F. E!ops, Jan, voortgezet door F. W. Van Eeden. Flora Batava. Afbeelding en Beschrijving van Nederlandsche Gewassen. Etc. (Vol. 20), parts 311-314. Unbound, 10. X — X6.7, colored plates 1556-1575, with descriptive text. Leiden: (1895?) and Haarlem : 1896. S. F. Barnard, Rev. M. R., B. A. Sport in Norway and where to find it. Together with a short account of the Vegetable Productions of the country. To which is added a list of the Alpine Flora of the Dovre Fjeld and of the Norwegian Ferns, etc. Red cloth, 8.1X1.3X5.2, pp. xvi, 334; frontispiece, 1 plate, cuts. London: 1864. S. F. Battandier, J. -A., et Trabut. Flore de I'Algerie contenant la description de toutes les plantes signalees jusqu'a ce jour comme spontanees en Algeria, et catalogue des plantes du Maroc. 2 vols, bound in one. Green cloth, 9.7X2.5X6.6, pp. xi, 825, iii, xxix» and 256 ; 7 plates. Alger et Paris : 1888-90 and 1895. S. F. 398 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. TERRITORIAL BOTANY, continued. Tchihatchef, P. de. Espagne, Algerie et Tunisie. Lettree a Michel Clievalier. Maroon cloth, 11. X 1.8X7.4 pp. xx, 595; 1 map. Paris, Alger, Madrid : 1880. S. F. , — — . Asie Mineure. Description physique de cette contree. Troisieme partie. Botanique. 2 vols, and Atlas, maroon cloth, 11.X1.3X7., and 14.X.9X11. (1.) pp. Ivi, (4.), 484; (2.) pp. xvi, 676; (atlas) 44 plates. Paris: 1866. S. F. Trimen, Henry, M. B. (Lond.), F. R. S. A Hand-Book to the Flora of Ceylon containing descriptions of all the species of flowering plants indigenous to the island, and notes on their history, distribution and uses. Part I. Eanunculaceae — Anacardiaces (with plates I- XXV), pp. xvi, 327. London: 1893. Part II. Connaraeese — Rubiaceae (with plates XXVI — L, and Index to parts I and II), pp. (3), 392. London: 1894. Part III. Valerianaceae — Balanophoraceie (with plates LI— LXXV.) pp. 477, (1). London: 1895. 3 toIs. text, olive-brown cloth, 8.8X1.6X6., and atlas, boards, green cloth back, 12.8X1. Xll. London : 1893-1895. S. F. PHYSIOLOGICAL BOTANY. Sorauer, Dr. Paul. A Popular Treatise on the Physiology of Plants for the use of gardeners or for students of horticulture and of agricul- ture. Translated by F. E. Weiss, B. Sc, F. L. S. Dark olive- green cloth, 9. X 1.1X5.8, pp. X, 256; 33 cuts. London and New York : 1895. S. F. Henslow, Rev. George, M. A., F. L. S., F. G. S., etc. The Origin of Plant Structures by self-adaptation to the environment. (The International Scientific Series. Vol. LXXVII.) Red cloth, 7.6X 1.1X5.2, pp. xiii, 256. London : 1895. S. F. Allen, 0. L. Plant Variation. Read before the American Seed Trade Association, June 11, 1896. Pamph., 9.2X— X5.8, pp. 14. (New York : 1896.) The Author. Die Litteratur des Jahres 1892 iiber Morphologic, Systematik und Verbreitung der Phanerogamen nebst Register. (Sonderabdruck aus " Just's Botanischem Jahresbericht.") Green paper, 10.X.9X 6.2, pp. 209, 268-382, 417-621. Berlin: 1895. Gebriider Born- trseger, Publishers. Moeller, Dr. Joseph. Anatomic der Baumrinden. Half black cloth, 9.6X 1.X6.7, pp. viii, 447; 146 cuts. Berlin : 1882. Dr. W, P. Bolles. Eichler, Dr. A. W. Bliithendiagramme. Erster Theil, enthaltend einleit- ung Gymnospermen, Monocotylen und Sympetale Dicotylen. Zweiter Theil, enthaltend die Apetalen und Choripetalen Dicoty- len. 2 vols, in 1, half brown morocco, 9.5X1.7X6.6, pp. viii, 347; XX, 575: cuts 176 and 237. Leipzig: 1875, 1878. Dr. W. P. Bolles. Bary, A. de. Vergleichende Morphologic und Biologic der Pilze, Myceto- zoen und Bacterien. Half dark red morocco, 9. 4X 1.2X6.4, pp. xvi, 658; 198 cuts. Leipzig: 1884. Dr. W. P. Bolles. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 189G. 399 CRYPTOQAMIC BOTANY. Massee, G. The Evolution of Pl.int Life: Lower Forms. (University Extension Series.) Blue cloth, 7.3X LX5., pp. viii, 242 ; 38 cuts. London: 1891. S. F. Waters, C. E. An Analytical Key for our Local Ferns, based on the Stipes. (Reprinted from the Johns Hopkins University Circulars, No. 119, June, 1895.) Pamph., 8 9X — X5.7, pp. (4). George E. Davenport. Mettenius, G. Filices Lechlerianae, chilenses ac peruanae, cura R. F. Hohenackeri editae. Fasciculi duo. Boards, marbled green, 8. IX .3X5.5, pp. 30, 38; 3 plates. Lipsiae : 185G, 1859. S. F. Smith, John, A. L. S. Ferns : British and Foreign, The History, Organ- ography, Classification and Enumeration of the species of garden ferns. With a treatise on their cultivation, etc., etc. New and enlarged edition. Green cloth, 7.5X1.4X5.3, pp. xv, 450; 1 plate, cuts. London : 1879. S. F. Prantl, K. Beitriige zur Systematik der Ophioglosseen. (Jahrbuch des botanischen Gartens. III.) Paper, green back, 9.4X .IXG.l, pp. 297-350; 2 plates (VII and VIII.) S. F. Linnaean Fern Bulletin, The. Published by the Linnaean Fern Chapter (of the Agassiz Association). Vols. 1-4 (bound in one), 1893-1896. Green cloth, 6. 4X. 6X4. 8. Binghamton, N. Y. : 1893-1896. L. A. [Nos. 3 and 12 from George E. Davenport]. Correvon, H. Les Fougeres de pleine terre et les Proles, Lycopodes, et Selaginelles rustiques. (Bibliotheque d'Horticulture et de Jardin- age.) Tan-colored cloth, 7. X. 5X4. 6, pp. v, 144; 68 cuts. Paris: 1896. S. F. Eaton, Daniel C. A Check-List of North American Sphagna. Arranged mostly in accordance with the writings of Dr. Carl Warnstorf. Pamph., 8.3X— X5.4, pp. 10. New Haven, Conn.: May, 1893. Edwin Faxon. Eaton, D. C, et E. Faxon. Sphagna Boreali- Americana exsiccata. Dis- tribuit G. F. Eaton. Pamph., pale green, 9. IX — X5.8, pp. 14. New Haven, Conn. : 1896. Edwin Faxon. Collins, Frank Shipley, Isaac Holden and William Albert Setchell, assisted by others. Phycotheca Boreali-Americana. A collection of dried specimens of the Algae of North America. Fascicles IV and V. 2 vols., half maroon morocco, 13.2X1.2X9.7, 50 species in each fascicle. Maiden, Mass. : March and September, 1896. S. F. Cooke, M. C, M. A., LL.D., A. L. S. Introduction to the Study of Fungi, their organography, classification, and distribution, for the use of collectors. Light green linen, 9.3X1.8X6.3, pp. x, 360; 148 cuts. London : 1895. S. F. Peck, Charles H., New York State Botanist. Boleti of the United States. (Bulletin No. 8 of the New York State Museum, September, 1889.) Pamph., drab, 9. 8X. 2X6. 8, pp. 73-166. Albany : 1889. L. A. 400 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY, continued. XiUCand, (Capitaine). Figures peintes de Champignons de la France. (Suites a I'lconographie de BuUiard.) 17^ fascicule. Blue-gray paper, 13. IX. 2X10., colored plates 401-425. Autun : 1889. S. F. Stevenson, Rev. John. Hymenomycetes Britannici. British Fungi (Hy- menomycetes). 2 vols., green cloth, 8. XI. 4X5. 5, pp. vii, 372; 336: 103 cuts. Edinburgh and London : 1886. S. F. BOTANICAL HONOQRAPHS. Marquess of Lothian. The Genus Masdevallia. Issued by the Marquess of Lothian, K. T., chiefly from plants in his collection of Orchids at Newbattle Abbey ; plates and descriptions by Miss Florence H. Wool ward ; with engravings from photographs. Additional Notes . ^ by Consul F. C. Lehmann. (German Consul in the republic of Colombia). Part VIII. 10 colored plates, with descriptive text. Part IX. [Completing the work.] pp. (10, 38) ; 7 colored plates, with descriptive text, 1 map. Half maroon morocco, 18.3X2.1X 13.4. London: 1896. S. F. Camus, E. G. Monographic des Orchidfees de France. (Extrait du Jour- nal de Botanique.) Half light brown morocco, 9.6X1.6X7., pp. 130; 51 photographic plates, partly colored, (numbered 1-50), and 1 unnumbered plate. Paris: n.d. S. F. Fitzgerald, R. D., F. L. S. Australian Orchids. Vol. 2, part 5. "With preface to the present part by the Hon. Dr. Norton, M.L.C., F.L.S. Green paper, mottled-brown cloth back, 19. 9X. 3X13. 3, 11 colored plates, with descriptive text. Sydney, N. S. W. : n.d. (1896.) S.F. Duval, Leon. Les Bromeliacees. Histoire, multiplication, culture et liste des plus jolies especes pouvant ^tre cultivees ou employees a la decoration des serres et des appartements. (Bibliotheque d'Horti- culture et de Jardinage.) Tan-colored cloth, 7. IX. 5X4. 7, pp. (5), V, 150; 46 cuts. Paris: 1896. S. F. SQaith., Jared G. North American Species of Sagittaria and Lophotocarpus. (Printed in advance from the Sixth Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden.) Issued May 24, 1894. Pamph., light brown, 9.x. 3X6., pp. 38; 29 plates. William Trelease, Director Missouri Botanical Garden. BOTANICAL JOURNALS. Balfour, Isaac Bayley, Sydney Howard Vines, D. H. Scott, and William Gilson Farlow, Editors, assisted by other Botanists. Annals of Botany. Vol. IX., Nos. XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV and XXXVI. March, June, September, and December, 1895. Half calf, 9.5 X 2.6X7.3. pp. 668 and title-page and contents (pp. viii) ; 25 plates. London and Oxford : 1895. L. A. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1806. 401 BOTANICAL SOCIETIES. Torrey Botanical Club. Bulletin. Edited by Nathaniel Lord Britton and other members of the Club. Vol. 23, 1896. Half green morocco, 9. IX 2.x 6.5, pp. xii, 548; plates 253-286. New York : 1896. The Club. . Memoirs. Vol. IV, No. 5. The North American Species of Physalis and related genera. By Per Axel Rydberg. Issued September 15, 1896. pp. 297-374. Vol. F/, No. 1. An Enumeration of the Plants collected in Bolivia by Miguel Bang, with descriptions of new genera and species. Part 3. By Henry H. Rusby. Issued November 17, 1896. pp.130. 2 parts, fawn-colored paper, 9. IX. 3X5. 9. S. F, Botanical Society of America. Botanical Opportunity. Address of the retiring president, William Trelease, Sc.D., Director of the Mis- souri Botanical Garden, delivered before the Botanical Society- of America at its Second Annual Meeting, Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 21, 1896. (From the Botanical Gazette, Vol. XXII.) Pamph., olive, 9.4X — X6.7, pp. 24. William Trelease. Linnean Society of London. Transactions. 2nd. Ser. Botany. Vol. IV, Part 3. The Phanerogamic Botany of the Matto Grosso Expe- dition, 1891-92. By Spencer Le Marchant Moore, B. Sc, F. L. S., Botanist to the Expedition. Read 2nd November, 1893. pp. 265- 516, plates 21-39, map. London : December, 1895. Part 4. Title-page, contents and index, pp. 517-542. London: March, 1896. Vol. V, Part 3. Observations on the Loranthaceae of Ceylon. By F. W. Keeble, B. A. (Communicated by Francis Darwin, F. R. S., F. L. S.) Read 18th April, 1895. pp. 91-117; plates 10 and 11. London : May, 1896. Part 4. The Distribution of plants on the South side of the Alps. By the late John Ball, F. R. S., F. L. S., with an Introductory Note, by W. T. Thiselton Dyer, C. M. G., C. I. E., F. R. S., F. L. S. Read 2nd May, 1895. pp. 119-227. London: July, 1896. 4 parts, blue paper, 11.9X.1-.7X9. 2. S. F. . Journal. Botany. Vol. XXX, No. 211, Sept. 7, 1895. pp. 435-561; plates 35-37, cuts. London: 1895. Vol. XXXI, Nos. 212-227, Nov. 4, 1895-July 8, 1896. pp. 1- 461 ; 15 plates, cuts. 6 parts, blue paper, 8. 7X .3X5.6. London : 1895 and 1896. S. F. Linnean Society of London, List of the. 1895-96. Blue paper, 8.5X.1X 5.6, pp. 51. London: 1895. S. F. BOTANICAL GARDENS. Macdougal, D. T. Botanic Gardens. (i^V-om Appleton's Popular Science Monthly, Vol. L, No. 2, Dec. 1896.) pp. 172-186; cuts. J. D. W. French. 402 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. BOTANICAL GARDENS, continued. New York Botanical Garden. Bulletin. Vol. I, No. 1, Apr. 15, 1896. Pamph., flesh-color, 9.x. 1X5. 9, pp. 21; 1 map. N. L. Britton, Secretary. Missouri Botanical Garden. Seventh Annual Report [for the year 1895]. Contents. — 1. Reports for the year 1895 : — a. Report of the officers of the Board, h. Seventh Annual Report of the Director. 2. Scientific Papers : — a. Juglandaceae of the United States. By William Trelease. h. A study of the Agaves of the United States. By A. Isabel Mulford. c. The Ligulate Wolffias of the United States. By Charles Henry Thompson. 3. Anniversary Publica- tions : — a. The value of a Study of Botany. By Henry Wade Rogers. 4. Library Contributions: — a. The Sturtevant Prelin- nean Library. Olive-green cloth, 9. 7X 1.2X6.7, pp. 209; frontis- piece, plates, (4), 66, (1). St. Louis, Mo: 1896. William Tre- lease, Director. , The Sturtevant Prelinnean Library of the. (Reprinted from the Seventh Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden.) Pamph., light blue, 8.9X.3X6, pp. 123-209. St. Louis: 1896. William Trelease, Director. [2nd copy Irom Dr. E. Lewis Sturte- vant.] Jamaica Botanical Department. Bulletin. Edited by William Fawcett, B. Sc, F. L. S., Director of Public Gardens and Plantations. New Series. Vol. Ill, Parts 1-12 and Appendix. January to December, 1896. 13 pamphs., 9.7X.1X6.2, pp. 315, iv, 16. Kings- ton, Jamaica : 1896. The Director. Britisb Guiana. Report on the Botanic Gardens and their work for the year 1886. By G. S. Jenman, Govt. Botanist and Supt. Botanic Gardens. Blue paper, 13.1 X. IX 8. 2, pp. 36. Georgetown, Demer- ara: 1887. S. F. Kew, Royal Gardens. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, 1895. Boards, green clotli back, 9.4X.9X5.9, pp. ii, 334, 63; 3 plates, cuts. London: 1895. W. J. Thiselton'Dyer, Director. . Hand-List of Trees and Shrubs grown in Arboretum. Parti. Polypetal^. Pamph., tea, 7. 2X .4X4.8, pp. 297. London: 1894. L. A. . Hand-List of Herbaceous Plants cultivated in the Royal Gardens. Pamph., tea, 7.2X.8X4.7, pp. 495. London: 1895. L. A. . Hand-List of Ferns and Fern Allies cultivated in the Royal Gardens. Pamph., tea, 7.2X.3X4.S, pp. 183. London: 1895. L. A. . Hand-List of Orchids cultivated in the Royal Gardens. Pamph., tea, 7.2X.4X4.8, pp. 225. London: 1896. L. A. . Hand-List of Coniferaj grown in the Royal Gardens. Pamph., tea, 7.3X.2X4.8., pp. 114. London: 1896. L. A. LIBRARY ACCESSTOXS, 1896. 403 . Key-Plan and Index to tlie Royal Botanic Garden and Arboretum, Kevr. Revised edition, 1893. Broadside, 16. X 11.9. L. A. [2nd copy.] . Official Guide to the Museums of Economic Botany. No. I. Dicotyledons and Gymnosperms. Second Edition, revised and augmented, pp. 173. London : 1886. No. 2. Monocotyle- dons and Cryptogams. pp.109. London: 1895. No. 3. Timbers. Second Edition, revised and augmented, pp. 98. London : 1893. [Also] Official Guide to the North Gallery. Fifth Edition, revised and augmented, pp. xxxvi, 161 ; 1 map. London : 1892. Green cloth, 7.X1.X5. L. A. Kew Guild, an Association of Kew Gardeners, past and present, The Journal of the. May, 1896. Pamph., green, 9. 7 X. IXC. 2, pp. 50; portraits. London: 1896. W. Watson. (Underwood, John.) Catalogue of Plants in the Arboretum, Fruticetum, Herbarium, Gramlna vera, Hortus Tinctorius,;Hot and Green houses of the Dublin Society's "Botanic Garden, at Glasnevin. Boards, brown cloth back, 9. XI. IX 5.5, pp, 247; 1 plan. Dublin: 1802. S. F. Candolle, Augustin Pyramus et Alphonse de. Notices sur les plantes rares cultivees dans le Jardin botanique de Geneve. Nr. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9. (Extraits des Memoires de la Soc. Phys. et d'hist. nat. de Geneve.) 5 pamphs., blue, green, etc., 10. -11. 2X .1X8.8, pp. 33, 23, 24, 31, and 20; plates. Geneve: 1823-1845. L. A. Acta Horti Petropolitani. Tomus XIV, fasc. I. pp. 184; 11 plates. Tomus XV, fasc. I. pp. 160; 1 plate, 4 maps. 2 pamphs., gray, 9.9.X.3X6.7. St. Petersburg: 1895 and 1896. A. Batalin, Direc- tor of the Botanic Garden, St. Petersburg. Buitenzorg, Annales du Jardin botanique de. Publi6es par M. le Dr. Melchior Treub. Vol. XIII, part 2. pp. 137-326, (1) ; plates 16- 30, colored and plain. Vol. XIV, part 1. pp. 240; 17 plates. 2 parts, blue paper, 10. X. 8X6.9. Leide : 1896. S. F. Schomburgk, Richard, Dr. Phil., Director. Catalogue of the Plants under cultivation in the Government Botanic Garden, Adelaide, South Australia. Boards, cream-color, faded maroon cloth back, 8.2X1.X5.4, pp. xix, (4), 285; frontispiece, plates. Adelaide: 1878. S. F. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES, ETC. Boston Society of Natural History. Memoirs. Vol. F, No. 1. On the Reserve Cellulose of the Seeds of Liliaceae and of some related orders. By Grace E. Cooley. pp. 29; 6 plates. Boston: July, 1895. No. II. pp. 31-52; plates 7-10. Boston: October, 1895. 2 pamphs., tea, 12. X. 1X9.6. The Society. . Proceedings. Vol. XXVI, part 4. pp. v, 393- 562; plate, cut, maps. Boston: 1895. Vol. XXVII, Nos. 1-11. pp. 199; plates. Pamphs., tea, 9. 8 X. IX 6. Boston: 1896. The Society. 404 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES, ETC., continued. Essex Institute. Bulletin. Vol. 26, I^os. 7-12, July — December, 1894. pp. 141-202. Salem: 1894, Vol. 27, iVos. 1-6, January — June, 1895. pp. 52. Salem: 1895. 2 pamphs., 9. 6X. 3X6.1. The In- stitute. Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society. Journal. Vol. XII, Part first, January — July, 1895. pp. 41. Part second., July — December, 1895. pp. 55; plates, maps, 1 cut. 2 pamph8., 8.6-9. 3X .1X5.7. Chapel Hill, N. C. : 1895. F. P Venable, Secretary. Oberlin College. Laboratory Bulletin No. 1. Supplement. Additions to the Preliminary List of the Flowering and Fern Plants of Lorain County, Ohio. Compiled by Albert A.Wright, pp. 11; 1 map. Oberlin: 1893. No 3. Bird Migration at Grinnell, Iowa, and Ober- lin, Ohio. (Reprinted from " The Auk," Vol. XII, April and July, 1895.) pp. 117-244. 2 pamphs., '9. IX .1X5.9. Azariah S. Root, Librarian. Field Columbian Museum. Pdblication 9. Botanical Series. Vol /, No. 2. Flora of West Virginia, by Charles Frederick Millspaugh, Curator, Department of Botany, and Lawrence William Nuttall. Pamph., gray, 9.8X.5X6.3, pp. (3), 69-276; frontispiece, 1 plate, 1 map, (Botany Plates V-VII). Chicago : Jan. 1896. Publication 14. Report Series. Vol. 1, No. 2. Annual Report of the Director to the Board of Trustees, for the year 1895-96 Pamph., gray, 9. 8X. 2X6.4, pp. 83-166. Chicago: 1896. F. J. V. Skiff, Director. Chicago Academy of Sciences. Thirty-eighth Annual Report for the year 1895. Pamph., 9.X — X6., pp. 16. Chicago: 1896. Bulletin. Vol. I, Nos. I-X. (No V. —A Paper on the Northern Pitcher-Plant or the Side-saddle Flower, Sarracenia purpurea, L. By W.K.Higley.) 10 pamphs., tea, gray, etc., 9. 8X—X6. Chicago: 1883-1886. Vol. IT, No. I. The Flora of Cook County, Illinois, and a part of Lake County, Indiana. By W. K. Higley and Charles S. Raddin. Brown cloth, flexible covers, 8.9X.5X5.8, pp. xxiii, 168 ; 1 map. Chicago : 1891. . The Lichen-Flora of Chicago and vicinity. By William Wirt Calkins. (Bulletin No. 1, of the Geological and Natural His- tory Survey.) Issued April, 1896. Pamph., gray, 9.7X.1X6.4, pp.50; (1). . The Paramidophenol and Amidol Developers. Pamph., blue, 9.7X — X6.8, pp (3). Frank C. Baker, Secretary and Curator. Iowa State University, Bulletin from the Laboratories of Natural History of the. Vol. Ill, No. 4. i. Notes on the Aquatic Plienogams of Iowa. . . . in. County Parks, iv. Notes on the Cretaceous Flora of Western Iowa. . . . vi. Nicaraguan Hymenomycetes. vii. Notes on the Flora of Iowa. viii. An interesting Puff-Bali. pp. 135-217; LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 405 2 plates. Iowa City: February, 1890. Vol. IV, No. 1 IV. The Saprophytic Fungi of Eastern Iowa : The Puff-Balis, v. New Species of Tropical Fungi, vi. The Nicaraguan Myxomycetes, with notes on certain Mexican species. . . . pp. 95; 5 plates. Iowa City : December, 1896. The University. St. Louis Academy of Science. Transactions. Vol. VII, Nos. 4-9. 6 pamphs., gray, 9.6X — X6.3, pp. 133-228; 8 plates. (St. Louis) : Dec. 20, 1895 — June 30, 1896. The Academy. Kansas Academy of Science. Transactions of the 26th and 27th Annual Meetings. 1893-1894. Vol. XIV. Maroon cloth, 9.2X1.X6.4, pp. 370; plates, cuts, map. Topeka, 1896. B. B. Smyth, Librarian. Hay, Robert, F. G. S. A. Geology and Mineral Resources of Kansas. (From the Eighth Biennial Report of the State Board of Agriculture, 1891-'92.) World's Fair Edition. Paniph., tea, 9. X. 2X5.9, pp. 66; plate, map, cuts. Topeka: 1893. F. D. Coburn, Secretary, Kansas State Board of Agriculture. Colorado College Studies. Vol VI. Papers read before the Colorado College Scientific Society. Pamph., drab, 9. IX. 1X6., pp. 54. Colorado Springs, Colo. : March, 1896. The Colorado College Scientific Society. Sierra Club Publications. Nos. 1-11. Pamphs., buff, 7.6.-9.8X.1-.3X 5.1-6.2. San Francisco : 1892-96. [Containing occasional articles on Western Botany.] No. 12. Map of the Central Portion of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and of the Yosemite Valley. May, 1896. Tan-colored cloth, 8.4X — X4.8. San Francisco: 1896. The Sierra Club. Ottawa Naturalist. Published by the Ottawa Field Naturalists' Club. Vol. IX, Nos. 10-12, January-March, 1896. pp. 193-262, v. Vol. A', Nos. 1-8. April-November, 1896. pp. 164. 11 pamphs., blue, 8.5X — X5.6. Ottawa: 1896. S. B. Sinclair, Librarian. Manitoba Historical and Scientific Society. Annual Reports for the years 1894 and 1895. 2 pamphs., blue, 8.3X — X5.8, pp. 22 and 32. Winnipeg: 1895 and 1896. The Society. . Worthies of Old Red River, by George Bryce, LL.D. Transaction No. 48. February 11, 1896. Pamph., buff, 8.oX— X5.8, pp. 12; cuts. Winnipeg: 1896. The Society. Leopoldina. Amtliches Organ der Kaiserlichen Leopoldino-Carolinischen Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher. Herausgegeben unter Mitwirkung der Sektionsvorstaende von dem Praesidenten Dr. C. H. Knoblauch. Neunundzwanzigstes Heft. — Jahrgang 1893. pp. (2"), 212. Halle: 1893. Dreissigstes //e/i!.— Jahrgang 1894. pp. (2), 212. Halle : 1894. Einunddreissigstes Heft. Jahrgang 1895. . . . von den Praesidenten Dr. C. H. Knoblauch und Dr. K. von Fritsch. pp. (2), 224. Halle: 1895. 3 pamphs., blue, 12. 4X. 3X9. 7. Prof. Dr. K. V. Fritsch. Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. Bulletins 7 and 8. 2 pamphs., tea, 7.7X — X5., pp. 12, 12. Oberlin. O!ro : 1896. A. S. Root, Librarian, Oberlin College Library. 406 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. MISCELLANEOUS. Nature. A Weekly Illustrated Journal of Science. Vols. 48-52 1893- 1805. Unbound, 11.X2.2X8., cuts. London: 1893-1895. L. A. [To fill up set.] Smithsonian Institution. Eighth Annual Report of the Board of Regents. Showing the operations, expenditures, and condition of the Institu- tion up to January 1, 1854. Black cloth, 9. 3 X. 9X5. 9, pp. 269. Washington : 1854. The Family of Hon. Marshall P. Wilder. United States Consular Reports. Nos. 20, 24i, 27, 28, 29, and 183-194. June and October, 1882, January, February, and March, 1883, and December, 1895 —November 1896. 17 pamphs., blue, 8.9X.3-.GX 5.7. Washington: 1882, 1883, 1895, 1896. Hon. Richard Olney, Secretary of State. United States Special Consular Reports. Vol. XI. American Lumber in Foreign Markets, pp. 217, viii. Washington : 1894. Vol. XII, Highways of Commerce. The Ocean Lines, Rail- ways, Canals, and other Trade Routes of Foreign Countries, pp. 763; map?. Washington: 1895. Vol. XIII, part I. Money and Prices in Foreign Countries, being a series of reports upon the currency systems of various nations in their relation to prices of commodities and wages of labor, pp. 274. Washington : 1896. 3 pamphs., terra-cotta, 8. 9x -2-. 6X5. 7. Hon. Richard Olney, Secretary of State. United States Bureau of Education. Report of the Commissioner of Education. 1892-93. In two volumes, pp. ix, 1224 and v, 1225- 2153. Washington: 1895. 1893-94. In two volumes, pp. xlvii, 1061 and 1063-2290. Washington: 1896. 1804-95, Vol. I. pp. Ivii, 1152. Washington : 1896. 5 vols., black cloth. W. T. Harris, Commissioner. Harley, Lewis R. A History of the Public Education Association of Phil- adelphia. Philadelphia: 1896. Prof. Edmund J. James. Boston Asylum and Farm School for Indigent Boys, Thompson's Island. Report of the Board of Managers, 1896. Boston: 1896. C. H. Bradley, Superintendent. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Course in Mining Engi- neering and Metallurgy. Boston : 1896. The Institute. Yale University. Catalogue. CXCVI year. 1895-96. New Haven : 1895. The University. . Report of the President. 1895. The University. Illinois, University of. Catalogue. 1895-96. Urbana : (1896). Tlie University. Boston Public Library. Annual Report of the Trustees. 1895. Boston : 1896. The Trustees. . Rules and Regulations. Revised to March, 1896. The Trustees. LIBRARY ACCESSIONS, 1896. 407 Bowdoin College Library. Bibliographical Contributions. No. 5. The College. Lancaster, Mass., Town Library. 33d Annual Report of the Trustees. 1895-96. Ella S. Wood, Librarian. Lawrence Free Public Library. 24th Annual Report for 1895. Law- rence, Mass. : 1896. The Trustees. Salem Public Library. Seventh Report of the Trustees. December, 1895. Salem: 1896. The Trustees. Philadelphia Library Company. Bulletin. September, 1896. New Series. No. 37. Philadelphia: 1896. The Philadelphia Library Company. Newberry Library. Report of the Trustees for 1895. Springfield, 111. : 1896. The Trustees. San Francisco Free Public Library. Reports of the Board of Trustees, 1894-95, and 1895-96. San Francisco: 1895, 1896. The Librarian. New England Historic Genealogical Society. Proceedings at the Annual Meeting, 1 Jan., 1896. Boston : 1896. The Secretary. Wisconsin State Historical Society. 43d Annual Meeting, Dec. 12, 1895. Reuben G. Thwaites, Secretary. American Congregational Association. Forty-third Annual Report of the Directors. Boston : 1896. The Association. PERIODICALS PURCHASED. English. — Gardeners' Chronicle. Gardeners' Magazine. Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener. The Garden. Gardening Illustrated. Gardening Y/orld. Orchid Review. Curtis's Botanical Magazine. Journal of Botany. Nature. French. — Revue Horticole. Lyon Horticole. Revue des Eaux et Forets. Repertoire de Legislation et de Jurisprudence forestieres. Journal des Roses. Belgian. — Illustration Horticole. Revue de I'Horticulture Beige et fitrangere. Journal des Orchidees, German. — Botanische Zeitung. 408 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. PERIODICALS PURCHASED, coyiUnued. American. — Country Gentleman. Garden and Forest. Median's Monthly. American Naturalist. American Journal of Science. PERIODICALS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE. Canadian Horticulturist. Gardening. American Gardening. Amateur Gardening. National Nurseryman. Weiner lUustrirte Garten-Zeitung. Vick's Illustrated Monthly Magazine. The Mayflower. Success with Flowers. Southern Florist and Gardener. California Garden. American Florist. Florists' Exchange. Boston Flower Market. Baltimore Cactus Journal. Sharon Cactus Guide. Green's Fruit Grower. Strawberry Culturist. Grape Belt. Montana Fruit Grower. Gardens and Gardening. Botanical Gazette. Erythea. Pittonia. West American Scientist. Maine Farmer. New England Farmer. Massachusetts Ploughman. American Cultivator. New England Homestead. (Eastern Edition of American Agri- culturist.) Rural New-Yorker. Farm Journal. California Cultivator and Poultry Keeper. National Stockman and Farmer. Germantown Telegraph. Maryland Farmer. Prairie Farmer. LIBRARY ACCESSICXS. 1896. 409 PERIODICALS RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE, continutd. The Industrialist. Irrigation Age. Garden and Field (Adelaide, South Australia). Park and Cemetery. Boston Daily Advertiser. Boston Morning Journal. Boston Daily Globe. Boston Evening Transcript. Boston Daily Evening Traveler. Boston Times. BOOKS, Etc., WANTED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Persons having atiy of the. books in the following- list to dispose of ■will oblige by addressing the ^'■Librarian of the Massachusetts Horticul- tural Society^ Horticultural Hall^ loi Treinont St., Boston." Album de Pomologie, Vol. 2. Amateur World of Horticulture. Title-page and Index to Vol. II. American Agricultural Annual. Nos. i and 2, 1867 and 186S. American Agricultural Association Review and Journal, January, 1882. American Agviculturist. 4to. Vols. 1 1-15 inclusive. Vol. 23, No. 7. American Cemetery Superintendents, Association of. Proceedings of Sth Annual Convention, 1S94. American Farmer. Fifth series. Vol. 3, Nos. 7-12, January to June, 1S62, and the succeeding volumes to 1S73, inclusive, also the numbers for October and December, 1S77, and April to December, inclusive, 1S7S. American Forestry Association, (a) Proceedings of the special meeting at Washington, D. C, May, 1884, and 3rd Annual Meeting at Saratoga, N. Y., September, 1884. (b) Proceedings of 6th Annual Meet- ing held in Springfield, 111., — final report, not "preliminary news- paper report." (c) Proceedings of the 8th Annual Meeting held at Philadelphia, October, 1889. American Institute. Reports previous to 1843; 1S44 ^"^^ 1845, and all Inter than 1871-72. American Journal of Science. (Silliman's Journal.) Vols. 11-16, ist st-ries. Asa Gray Bulletin. No. i, April (?) 1893. Asociacion Rural del Uruguay — Revista. Vols, i-ii, and Vol. 12 (except No. 15). Association pour la Protection des Plantes, Bulletin de 1'. Nos. 1-8. 1SS3-1890. Geneve. Bolton's Filices Britannicse. Part 2. 4to. Huddersfield : 1790. Bon Jardinier, Le. 1831 to 1835 inclusive, 1837 to 1840, 1842 to 1850, 1S52 to 1S55, 1S58, 1859, 1861, 1873. Boston Flower Market and New England Florist. Vol. i. No. 2. Boston Park Reports. City Documents, Nos. iii, 1S80, and 93, 1881. British Guiana Botanic Garden. Annual Reports. [Have only 1SS6.] 412 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Brongniart, A. T. Memoire sur la guneration et le developpement de I'embryon dan les vegetaux phanerogames. The text. Brooklyn, N. Y., Park Report. 27th, for 1887. Brown, Robert, of Campster. Florae Sylvanse. All but the first four signatures (pp. 1-64). Buc'hoz. Traite historique des plantes. [Our copy has very few plates. Should be 139.] Bulliard, P. Herbier de la France, (a.) L'histoire des plantes v&ne- neuses, etc., (the edition with 72 colored plates), (b.) L'histoire des plantes alimentaires. (c.) L'histoire des plantes propre au meilleur four- rage, (d.) L'histoire des plantes utiles dans les arts, etc. [Also] Diction- naire c'lcMTientaire de botanique, (which is an introduction to the whole work) . California Agricultural Society. Reports for 1S64, '65, '66, '67, '74, '76, '77, 'Si, '86. Also Reports previous to that for 1S63 (being reports of the Society previous to its re-organization). California Horticulturist. Vols. 7 and 8, 1S77 and 1878, and Nos. 2 and 3, February and March, of Vol. 9, 1879. California Olive Industry, ist Report, (1891.') California State Board of Forestry. First Biennial Report. 1885-86. Christie, Thomas. New Commercial Plants. No. 12. Columbia College, Contributions from the Herbarium of. No. 4. A List of the Plants collected by Miss Mary B. Croft, at San Diego, Texas. (Except "Additions.") No. 12. The Genus Eieocharis, etc. No. 23. The American Species of the Genus Anemone, etc. No. 34. The North American Species of Lespedeza. Cosson et Germain. Flore des environs de Paris. Atlas to edition of 1S45. Country Gentleman. Vol. 2, No. 27, July 7, 1853. Debeaux, O. Contributions a la flore de la Chine. Fasciculus 4. Du Breuil, A. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th parts, (if published), of the "Cours d'Arboriculture," 6th ed. Farm and Garden. July and subsequent numbers. New York : 1853. Fielding, H. B , assisted by George Gardner. Sertum plantarum. All that was published of Vol. IL Florists' Exchange. Vol. L Vol. II, Nos. 2 and 7. Florists' Journal, 1S40-1847. Flower Garden, The. Published by Beach and Son, Brooklyn. N. Y. July, 1874. American Garden, January, 1878, and October, 1879. Forest Leaves. Nos. 6-9, (iSSS) of Vol. i, and No. i, (also called No. 11,) January, 1889, of Vol. IL Fruit Garden Display'd, The, setting forth the several varieties of fruit ripe in every month of the year, etc. [We have the months of June, July, and August, and want the remaining months.] Gardener, The. A magazine of Horticulture and Floriculture. Edited by David Thomson. Index to the volume for 1878. BOOKS WAXTED. 413 Georgia Horticultural Society- Proceedings of the 4th and 7th Annual Meetings. Grape Belt, The. Vol. i. Nos. 5, iS, 20, and 24, 1S93. Harvard University Library. Bibliographical Contributions. No. 9 (Goodale — Floras of Different Countries). No. 25 (Farlow and Trelease — List of Works on North American Fungi). Highland Agricultural Society, Prize Essays of the, ist Series, 1800- 1826. 6 vols. Horticultural Times and Covent Garden Gazette. Vol. i, No. i and title-page and index; Vol. 2, title-page and index; Vol. 12, No. 311 and title-page and index; Vol. 14, title-page and index; Vol. 15, title-page and index; Vol. 16, title-page and index; Vol. 17, title-page and index, and all later than Vol. 17, No. 404. Illinois Entomological Reports; First, by B. D. Walsh, for 1S67. Illinois Horticultural Society. Transactions of ist to 4th Annual Meetings. Indiana Horticultural Society. Transactions at the first eight se<;- sions, previous to 1870, except the 3d, 5th, 6th, and 9th for 1S64, 1S66, 1867, and 1870. Industrialist. Vols. 1-14, and Nos. 1-17 of Vol 15. Iowa Forestry Annual, — all but No. 5, 1S79. Iowa State Horticultural Society. Reports previout to 1867; also 1868, 1869, 1S71, and 1874. Irrigation Age. Vols. 1-4, inclusive; Vol. 5, Nos. 2-5 and 8, June- September and December, 1S93 ; Vol. 9, No. 5, May. 1896; Vol. 11, Nos. 4-9, April-September, 1897. Japanese Horticultural Society. Journal. Nos. i, 2, 5-8, 43-51, 57, 68, 76, 79, 85, and all later than No. 87, November, 1898. Jaume Saint-Hilaire, J. H. Plantes de la France. Vols. 5-10. Kansas State Board of Agriculture, ist, 2d, and 3d Annual Reports, for 1872 (?), 1873 (?), and 1874 (?), and 2d, 3d, 4th, and 8th Biennial Reports, for 1879-80, 1881-82, 1883-84, and 1891-92. Kirwan, C. de. Les Coniferes indigenes et exotiques, etc. Tome L La Marck's Tableau encyclopedique et mi-thodique des trois regnes de la nature. Botanique. 3 vols, and Supp. (text), and plates 901-1,000. L'Heritier, C. L. Stirpes Novae. Fasc. 5 and 6, pp. 103-184, plates 49-84. Lincoln Park (Chicago). Reports for 1S81-2 to 1885-6. Also all previous to 1879-80. Louisiana State Agricultural Society. Proceedings of ist to 4th, and nth Annual Sessions (1S87-90) and 1S97. Luxembourg, Societe botanique du Grand-Duche de, Recueil des Memoires et des Travaux publics par la. Nos. i-io, [1867 to 1SS4.''] Macfadyen, J. Flora of Jamaica. Vol. XL (Only Rosaceie to Ara- liacea; were published). Maryland Farmer. Vol. XH, No. 3, March, 1875. 414 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Massachusetts Agricultural College, ist, 2d and 3d Annual Reports. Massachusetts fruit Growers' Association, ist and 2d Annual Reports. Maund, B., and J. S. Henslow. The Botanist. Vol. 5. Maximowicz, C. J. Diagnoses plantarum novarum Asiaticarum. I-IV and all later than VII (if any such were published.) Mayflower, The. Vol. i ; Vol. 2, Nos. 7-10: Vol. 3, No. 9; Vol. 4, No- 12 ; Vol. 5, Nos. 2,J3,J4, 6, 9 and 10. Michaux's North American Sylva. Paris: 1819. Vols, i and 3. Michigan Board of^AgricuIture. ist Report (n.s.), for 1862 ; 22d Report, for 1SS3; Report for 1S93 (2 copies) Miller, Philip. ixThe^ Gardeners' Dictionary, ist, 7th, and 8th folio edi- tions Minnesota Academy of Natural Sciences. Bulletin. Vol i, Parts i, 2, and 4. Minnesota Horticultural Society. Vol. 9, for 1S91. Missouri Horticultural Society. Reports previous to the 23d, for iSSo, except that of the 5th Meeting, in 1S64. Montana Fruit Grower. Vol. i. Nos. 2, 7, 9 and 10, 1895-96. Murray, Andrew, on the Synoromy of Various Conifers, all but Part i. . Notes upon[California Trees, all but Part i. Murray, Lady Charlotte. ;;^ The^British Garden. Vol. 2, 2d ed. Bath, 1799. Nebraska HorticuItural_|Society. Transactions other than 1871, 1872, 1877-7S, and 1879. Nebraska State |Boaid of|^Agriculture. Reports for 1S68 (ist), '70, '71, '72, '74-78, '80-82, '88, '90. Nees von Esenbeck, C. G. Naturgeschichte der Europiiischen Leber- nioo.se. Vols. 3 and 4. New England Farmer. ?■ 4to. Vol. 7, No. 27, pp. 295 and 296; Vol. 8, No- 49, pp. 391 and 392 New England Parmer. " Folio. No. 10, of Vol. 73, for March 10, 1894. New Jersey Forestry, Reports on. (From Reports of N. J. Gechgital Survey). For 1896 and all later, and also all previous to 1894. New Jersey Horticultural Society. Annual Reports, ist, 5th, and 14th s ession.«, 1S76, i883,tand 18S8. New York Farmer. ft Vol. 3, New Series, 1835, pp. 33-64. New York State Agricultural Society. Journal. Vol. 13, Nos. io» 11, and 12. Vol. 14, Nos. 3, 5, 7, and 9-12. Vol. 15, Nos. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 12. Vol. 16, No. 2 ; and the whole of Vols. 17, 18, and 19. New York State Agricultural Society. Report for 18S7. New York State Land Survey. Report on Progress . . . transmitted to the Legislature, (.February or March), 1891. Niagara, State Reservation at. 5th Annual Report, for the year 1S8S. Norsk, Havetidende. ist year. North Carolina2Agricultural^Society. All Annual Reports between that for 1S85 and the 13th for 1893. North Carolina Horticultural Society.i ' 2d-i2th Annual Reports. Northern Gardener, The. Vols. 1-3; Vol. 5, title-ppge and index; Vol BOOKS WANTED. 415 6, title-page and index; and its successor, British Gardening, Vol. 8, 4 plates (in Nos. 219, 220, 227 and 229), and all later than Vol. 10, No. 266. Northwest Horticulturist. Vols. 1-4. Ohio State Board of Agriculture. Annual Reports : ist-3d, 1846-1S4S ; 6th-2ist, 1S51-1866; 23d-34th, 1S6S-1S79. Ontario Department of Agriculture. Bureau of Industries, ist to 4th Annual Reports, 18S2-1SS5. Ontario Fruit Growers' Association. Reports previous to 1S69 and 2d Report, 1S71, Ontario Permanent Central Farmers' Institute. Report of ist Annual Meeting. Oregon State Board of Horticulture, 3d Biennial Report, 1895. Orleans et du Loirec, Societe d' Horticulture d'. Bulletin, ist and 2d Series. Ortega, C. G. Novarum aut rariorum plantarum horti Matritensis, etc. Decades 5-10 inclusive. Ortolano, L'. October and November numbers for 1S64. Trieste. Our Country Home. Vol. 5, No. 4 ; Vol. 8, No. 4; Vol. 9, Nos. 6 and 9 ; Vol. 10, Xos. 8, ID, II, and 12. Pallas, P. S. Flora Rossica. Vol. 2, Part i. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Bulletins 1-7, 9-26. Pennsylvania Fruit Growers' Societv. Reports previous to 1867. Phytologist, The. General Index to the 2d Series. Piper, R. U., M.D. The Trees of America. No. 3. 4to. Boston : 1S58. Plenck, J. J. Icones plantarum medicinalium, etc. Vols. 4 to 8. Plow, The. Vol. I, No. i. New York : 1852. Pomologie Frangaise, La. Series i to 3, inclusive. Purdy's Fruit Recorder. Vol. 1,1869; Vols. 1-3 (2d ser. ?), 1S91-93 ; and>lso 1874 wants Nos. 5 and 6; 1878, No. 6; 1894, Nos. 2 and 8-12 ; 1895, Nos. 2-12. Queensland Department of Agriculture. Bulletins, ist Series 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14. 2d Series 12, and all later than 13. Rafinesque, C. S. Atlantic Journal, Nos. i, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Philadel- phia, 1S32, 1833. . Autikon Botanikon, Parts 2, 4, and 5, being Centuries 6-10, 16-20 and 21-25. Philadelphia: 1815-1840 (?) . . New Flora of North America. Parts i, 2, and 3. Phila- delphia, 1S36. Revue horticole. First Series, Vols. 1-3, Paris: 1829-1840 ; Second Series, Vols. 1-5, 1841-1846. Rhode Island Board of Agriculture, ist and 4th Annual Reports. Ruiz et Pavon. Flora Peruviana et Chilensis, Vol. 4. Rural Californian. All after March, 1895. Rural New Yorker. Vols. 1-9, 13-18, 24-48; also No. 23, Dec. 9, 1871, of Vol. 23. Sarthe, Bulletin de la Societe d' Horticulture de la. All previous to 1870, being Vols. 1-7 ; title-page and contents to Vol. 9 (1874-1877) ; title-page to Vol. 10, (1S78-1S84) ; title-page to Vol. 12, (1891-1895). 416 MASSACHUSETTS HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. Scientific Roll, The. London : 1SS0-1S83, all beyond No. 11. Seine Inferieure, Bulletin de la Societe centrale d'Horticulture du Departe- ment de la. (Formerly Societe d'Horticulture de Rouen). Tome 5 (1853- 1856), cahier 4; Tome 7 (i860), cahier i; Tome 14 (1870-1872), cahier 2 of 1872; title-pages to Vols, i, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14; tables of Contents to Vols 6 and 7. [Also] Tome i de la Pomologie, cahiers 2, 3 (being respectively cahiers 3 and 6 of Vol. 2 of Bui. Soc. cent. d'Hort.) and 6 : Tome 2, cahiers 3 and 4, and title-page and table of contents. Semi-Tropic California. Vols, i and 2, 1878 and 1S79, ^^^ January, i88y, and March, 1882. Smithsonian Institution. Annual Reports of the ]5oard of [Regents, ist (1S46), 2d (1S47), 3d (1848), 5th (1850), 6th (1851), 7th (1S52.) Sociedad Rural Argentina. Anales de la. Vols. 1-15. Southern Florist and Gardener. Nos. 6 and 12 of Vol. i and Nos. 5 and 6 of Vol. 2. Sowerby's English Botany, Supplement to the ist edition; Vol. 5, includ- ing plates 2961-2995. Sweet, Robert. Geraniacese. Vol. 5. United States Consular Reports. Index to Nos. 112-151 (inclusive). United States Department of Agriculture. Office of the Secretary OF Agriculture. Reports of Commissioner of Patents. 1S41, 1S43. Monthly Reports: 1863. — September (41 pp.) and October (20 pp.) Title-pages and indexes for 1S63-4, 1865, 1S66, 1S67 and i868. Special Reports: Old Series. No. 34, on Contagious Diseases of Domesticated Animals. 391 pp. 1881. Special Reports., unnumbered : The Department of Agriculture; Its History and Objects. By J. M. Swank. 64 pp. 1872.— Annual Report supplemental of the Commissioner of Agriculture to the President, Nov. 1S77 ; also transmitting supplemental departmental reports i and ^ 1877. — Report on the Participation of the Department of Agricul- ture in the International Exhibition of 1S76, at Philadelphia. By William Saunders, pp. 223-434. 1884. — Rules and Regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture for the suppression and extirpation of all contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases among the domestic animals of the United States, pre- pared by the Commissioner of Agriculture [N. J. Colman]. 7 pp. 1887. Notice of Department of Agriculture; of its various functions. Folio sheet. — Koebele, A. Studies of parasitic and predaceous insects in New Zealand, Australia, and adjacent islands. June, 1893. 39 pp. Bureau of Animal Industry. — Circulars 9 and 14. Division of Biological Survey. — All circulars later than 17. Division of Chemistry.— Bulletins 41 and 42. Division of Entomology. — Circulars of ist series, except No. 9. Circular No. i, (2nd series). Office of Experiment Stations.— Circulars i-ii, 13-17, 19-22, 26 and 29. BOOKS WANTED. 417 Division of Forestry. — Annual Report of the Chief for 1S94. Circulars i, 2, 4, 6, 7. Letter from the agent of the Forestry Division, requesting infor- mation as to the extent of the lumber and wood trade. July, 1SS3. Folio sheet. Circular issued for information of railroad managers. 1SS7. 4 pp., large 8vo. Statement of B. E. Fernow, Chief of Forestry Division, to the Committee on Agriculture, House of Representatives, Feb. 16, 1895. 4 pp. Instructions for the collection of test pieces of pines for timber investigations, n. d. 4 pp. Division of Microscopy. — Special report: Naphthaline as an insecticide, etc., its effect on seeds, plants, and animals. 1883. 6 pp. Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy. — Circulars 1-16. North American Fauna, Nos. 6, 7, and 9. Office of Road Inquiry. — Circulars 1-12 inclusive. Silk Section. — Bulletin No. i. How to raise silk worms. 16 pp., X figs. February, 1S90. Division of Statistics. — The arid lands. 7 pp. September, 18S9. Division of Vegetable Physiology and Pathology. — Circu- lars I, 2, 3, 13, and 14. Weather Bureau. — Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, 1895-96. 4to. pp. 266. Bulletin 11, Part III; Bulletin 15, Protection from Lightning, by A. McAdie. June, 1885. 26 pp. xiii figs. Monthly Weather Review. Vols. I-XIX and Vol. XX, Nos. 2, 5, and 6. United States Department of State. Consular Report on The Licor- ice Plant, 1885. United States War Department. Signal Service Notes. No. XXI, and all later than No. XXIII. Victoria Department of Agriculture. Guides to Growers. Nos. 1-7. Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture, First Anriual Report. West Chicago Park Commissioners' Reports, ist to 5th, 8th to 17th, 19th to 22nd, and 24th. Western New York Horticultural Society. Reports i to 18, 36 and 37. West Virginia State Board of Agriculture, ist Biennial Report, for 1S91-92. W^ilson Quarterly. Official Organ of the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. Vols. l-III, and Vol. IV, Nos. 3 and 4. Also Bulletin No. 6 (1895.') of the Wilson Ornithological Chapter of the Agassiz Association. 418 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Wisconsin Agricultural Society. Transactions: — Vol. i, 1S51 ; Vol. 4, 1S54.-7C.?); Vol. 6, 1S60; Vols. 16-20, 1S77-8 to 1881-2; Vols. 24-26, 1885-6 to 1S87-8. Wisconsin Horticultural Society. Reports previous to 1864; 1869, 1870; Volume 9, between 1878 and 1879-S0; Vol. 16, 1886; Vol. 2t, 1892. Worcester North Agricultural Society. Transactions, ist to 4th (1853-56), andjfor 1863, '66, '67, '69, '70, '72-78, '8o-'82, and '90. Zuccarini, J. G. Plantarum novarum .... horto botanico . . . Monacensi. Fasciculus 2. TRANSACTIONS (2^' HSMc|usetts Jorticiiltiinil ^adttv, FOR THE YEAR 1897. PART BOSTON : PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY, 1898. CONTENTS. Page Prefatory Note, 3 BnsiNESS Meeting, January 2, 1897 ; Address of President Appleton, pp. 5-10; Appropriations for 1897, 10; Addition to the Act Incorporating the Society, 10, 11; Appointment of Treasurer and Secretary, 11; Memorial of Samuel G. Damon, 11 ; Vote of thanks to the President, 12; Motion concerning Peach Yellows negatived, 12; Letter from Boston Mycological Club read, 12 ; Two members elected, 12 ; Pro- gramme of Lectures and Discussions announced, 12 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 9; Tropical Horticul- ture, with Illustrations of the Principal Economic Plants of Hot Cli- mates, by Prof. George Lincoln Goodale, 12-19 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 16 ; The Structure and Classification of Mushrooms, by Hollis Webster, 20-28 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 23; The Chrysanthe- mum : Its Past, Present, and Future, by Edmund M. Wood, pp. 28-42 ; Discussion, 42, 43 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, January 30; Plant Beauty, by Henry T. Bailey, 43-4ri Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 13; The Sweet Pea, the Flower for Everybody, by Rev. W. T. Hutchins, pp. 46-60; Discussion, 60-64 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 20; Some Phases of Market Gardening, by T. Greiner, pp. 64^73 ; Discussion, . . . 73-77 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, February 27 ; Good Food from the Garden, by Miss Anna Barrows, pp. 77-86 ; Discussion, . . .87, 88 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 13; Horticulture in Canada, by Prof. William Saunders, 88-106 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 20; Soils and Potting, by T. D. Hatfield, pp., 107-115; Discussion, 115, 116 Meeting for Lecture and Discussion, March 27 ; The Spread of Plant Diseases : A Consideration of Some of the Ways in which Parasitic Organisms are disseminated, by Dr. Erwin F. Smith, . . . 117-133 CONTENTS. Business Meeting, April 3, 1897 ; Report on Portrait of President Kidder, p. 137 ; Request by Committee on Lectures and Publication, 137; Annual Report of Treasurer read, 137; Decease of E. W. Lincoln, Charles Eliot, and Dr. Robert Hogg announced, 137, 138; Awards to others than members, 138; Seven members elected Business Meeting, May 22; Request and Call for Special Meeting, pp. 139, 140; Committee on School Gardens, etc., 140 ; Votes concerning bequest of Francis B. Hayes, 140, 141; Vote of Thanks Business Meeting, July 3; Resignation of Chairman of Garden Committee and Election of successor, p. 142; Report on awards to others than members, 142; Memorial of E. W. Lincoln, 142, 143; Memorial of Charles Eliot, 143, 144 ; Letter concerning meeting of the American Association for the Advance- ment of Science and Vote thereon, 144, 145; Committee on Nominations, 145; Letters from Mrs. C. Eliot and R. M. Hogg, 145; Decease of Hon. J. S. Fay and Robert Douglas announced, 145; Vote concerning payment of Gar- den Committee, 145; Five members elected, 146; Election of Honorary and Corresponding Members Business Meeting, September 4; Report of Nominating Committee, p. 146; Memorial of Hon. J. S. Fay, 140, 147; Decease of S. R. Payson and E. W. Buswell announced Business Meeting, October 2; Annual Election, pp. 147, 149; Transfer of Appro- priation voted, 14S; Memorial of Robert Douglas, 148; Letter from J.S.Fay, Jr., 148; Vote requiring meetings of Awarding Committees, 149; Committees on Memorials to S. R. Payson and E. W. Buswell, 149; Ten members elected, Business Meeting, November 6; Memorial of S. R. Payson, p. 150; Appropria- tions for 1S98, 150, 151; Three members elected Business Meeting, December 4; Memorial of E. W. Buswell, pp. 151, 152; Report of Fruit Committee read, 152; Report from Committee on Establish- ing Prizes, 152, 153; Thanks for ofl'er of Prizes, 153; Book from J.H. Veitch, 153; Six members elected 153 Business Meeting, December 18, 1897; Vote concerning Reports of Committees, p. 1-54; Reports of Committees and of Secretary and Librarian presented . 154 Report op Committee on Plants; Introduction, p. 155; Saturday Exhibitions, 155, 156, 157, 158; Spring Exhibition, 156; Rose and Strawberry Exhibition, 157; Annual Exhibition of Plants and Flowers, 157; Chrysanthemum Exhi- bitiou, 157; Financial Statement, 158; Prizes and Gratuities awarded . . 159-168 |.i • .CONTEIVTS. PAGE Retort of Committee on Flowers; Introduction, pp.169, 17U; Saturday Exhi- bitions, 170, 171, 173, 174, 175; Spring Exhibition, 171; May Exhibition, 171; Rhododendron Show, 171, 172; Pieony Show, 172; Rose and Strawberry Exhibition, 172, 173; Aquatic Exhibition, 174, 175; Annual Exhibition of Plants and Flowers, 175; Chrysanthemum Show, 176; Financial Statement, 176; Prizes and Gratuities awarded 177-196 Report op Committee on Fruits, pp. 197, 198; Prizes and Gratuities awarded, 199-215 Report op Committee on Vegetables, pp. 216-219; Prizes and Gratuities awarded 220-236 Report of Committee on School Gardens and Children's Heebarutms; George Putnam School Garden, pp. 237, 238; Medford School Gardens, 238, 239; Other School Gardens, 239, 240; Children's Herbariums, 237-241; Prizes and Gratuities awarded 242, 243 Report or Committee or Arrangements 244, 245 Report of Delegate to State Board of Agriculture 246-249 Report to the State Board of Agriculture 250-252 Report op the Committee on the Library 253, 254 Report of the Secretary and Librarian 255-258 Report of Treasurer and Finance Committee 259-263 Mount Auburn Cemetery 264, 265 Officers and Standing Committees for 1898 266-268 Members of the Society; Life, pp. 269-275; Annual, 276-27S; Honorary, 280; Corresponding 281-283 Extracts from the Constitution and By-Laws 279 The following papers have been circulated to some extent in the form of slips reprinted from the reports made by the Secretary of the Society in the " Boston Transcript." As here presented, the papers are printed in full, aiid the discussions, where it appeared necessary, have been carefully revised by the speakers. The Committee on Lectures and Publication take this oppor- tunity to repeat what they have before stated, that the Society is not to be held responsible for the certainty of the statements, the correctness of the opinions, or the accuracy of the nomen- clature, in the papers and discussions now or heretofore pub- lished, all of which must rest on the credit or judgment of the respective writers or speakers, the Society undertaking only to present these papers and discussions, or the substance of them, correctly. J. D. W. French, "\ Committee on B. M. Watson, V Lectures and X. T. Kidder, J Publication. TRANSACTIONS OF THE BUSINESS MEETING. Saturday, January 2, 1897. A stated meeting of the Society was holclen today at eleven o'clock, the President in the chair. This being the commencement of the terra of ofl&ce of the new board of officers and Standing Committees, the President, Fran- cis H. Appleton, delivered the usual annual address, as follows : Address of President Appleton. Felloiv-memhers of the Massachusetts Horticidtural Society : We find ourselves in the same location and within the same building at the commencement of a new year, during which I shall continue, through your votes, to have the honor and respon- sibility of presiding for a second term, and of endeavoring to do my part, under our constitution, to perform the duties of the office. One year ago today I said to you, in part, that its founders did not suppose '' that this Society would exist to see the day when it had outgrown the arrangements which were made for it by their successors, upon this site, only thirty (now thirty-one) years ago." I now repeat that statement, as applicable today as then. Your chosen officials have had this subject under consideration during the past year, and are still unable to present any recom- mendation, with a view to improving our home, for your favor- able consideration. In this I believe your Committee to be unanimous. 6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. In the city of Philadelphia there has been dedicated and opened^ during the past year, a new fire-proof building for the Pennsyl- vania Horticultural Society, designed to promote the work in which we, of this Massachusetts Society, are all interested. The land upon Avhich the Pennsylvania Society has built was owned by William L. Shaffer, thirty-four years a member and seventeen years president, who, at his death in August, 1884, left his entire estate to his sister, who, in May, 1887, by deed of trust, placed the land and a building which had previously been used by the Horticultural Society in the hands of trustees and their successors, to hold forever for the benefit of the Pennsyl- vania Horticultural Society. In May, 1893, the hall was a second time destroyed by fire. In the autumn of 1894, on approval of the Society, it was leased for thirty years by the said trustees to five gentlemen, who, as trustees for the bondholders, secured an issue of income bonds, bearing interest at three per cent, f 200,000, with which, together with $25,000 insurance money, the new building has been built. The uses to which that new building can be put seem to me to be uses for which a horticultural building can well be erected in this growing city of Boston, and meet a long-felt want ; which, at the same time, would be of a plan best calculated to advance and promote the direct objects for which this Society was incor- porated, i.e., " for encouraging and improving the science and practice of horticulture." In considering the future of our Society, it seems to me advis- able to give prominence to our own needs by stating how similar needs have been met by our allies in Pennsylvania. The Horticultural Building at Philadelphia is located centrally upon a lot of land two hundred by ninety feet, so situated that it is easy of access by carriage or street car. Some of its entrances are under cover, and all are well planned. Its offices, reception and ante-rooms are commodious, and will accommodate at least one thousand people. These, with a lecture hall and grand staircase hall, are on the first story. Prom the grand staircase one enters the large hall, seventy by one hundred feet, which has a vaulted ceiling at a height of thirty-five feet. This latter room will seat eleven hundred persons for concerts and lectures, and five hun- dred for banquets, and is admirably suited for large assemblies. ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. 7 All these ixses promote a market for horticultural products, and encourage advanced taste of both palate and mind, which helps to promote the Society's chartered object. The halls are well lighted from outside by day and by electricity at night, and are well ventilated. I have said that the building is rated as fire-proof. At the west end of the large hall is a platform, below which, and upon a level higher than that of the first floor, are six small rooms. In the front part, and on the same level with the large hall, is a suite of rooms consisting of a small hall and two supper rooms, where suppers can be served when entertainments are in progress in the large hall, or all can be used in connection with the large hall. Serving-rooms are in the front part of this floor under a convenient balcony, which, by elevators, connect all of this floor with the kitchens, pantries, and china closets on the third floor. While all that is thus described can add to the income and promote horticultural aims, the opening into one extensive prom- enade of all the space on the second floor, by a system of sliding partitions or folding doors, makes a superb opportunity to display plants, flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc., in a most complete way. An elevator, the floor of which can form a section of the floor of the large hall, delivers plants of any reasonable height, and all other exhibits, conveniently. Eubber-tired cars can be used to bear them to any part'of the first or second stories. A basement that is largely above ground affords ample accom- modation for floral and other horticultural business, and also for the Society's storage, dynamos, boilers, etc. The Pennsylvania Society's Library appeared to be smaller than ours, but a new building, whether on this site or some other, or our present building remodelled, can always be planned to meet the needs in this direction. Whatever may be done in the future to improve our home facilities, may we be able to secure as useful a home for our chartered purpose as has the society to which I have been calling your attention secured to promote Pennsylvania horticultural interests. Are we now, by the liberal expenditure for prizes, advancing the science and business of horticulture as much as in our power? is a subject that we should all take into serious consideration. 8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. To carry on our work we must have income, and the larger our income the greater must be our success on the lines for which we are incorporated ; and, provided we apply it most wisely and conservatively, it will continue to us in increasing quantity. It would not, in my opinion, be lessening our benevolent work, but rather increasing it, to charge a reasonable fee to non-mem- bers visiting our exhibitions, subject to a judicious issue of the usual complimentary passes. Our Society should be benevolent to the public by allowing the non-members to contribute toward the good that the Society aims to do for the public and horticulture in general. If our exhibitions are to increase in horticultural profit to those who view them, and the prizes are to continue in their present or increased liberality to those who win them, the non-member beneficiaries can, and in reason will, be ready to contribute toward the success and perpetuation of our work. Our Library is valuable, and appeals to lovers of horticulture to make greater use of the books upon its shelves. Consider- able work is done and money spent, annually, to keep it in an advanced condition, and we hope that all possible good to the State shall come from its being well used. To make its value known is one way to increase its usefulness. The lectures given during the past season by the Society were generally of much value, and their usefulness Avas promoted as much as was possible by the help from lantern-slide pictures. We were fortunate in having with us, as lecturers during the season of 1897, officers of the Department of Agriculture at Washington, and professors from universities and colleges, as well as men of practical experience, and Ave can congratulate the Committee and ourselves upon the result. The small attendance at our adjourned meetings would seem to indicate either a decreasing interest in our work, or that our members believed that our business meetings were too frequent. I have been led to examine our constitution to see by what authority our monthly business meetings are held. I find onh' four stated meetings required by our constitution, i.e., the first Saturdays in January, April, July, and October, with provision for calling other meetings when deemed necessary. The Executive Committee are to meet monthly, and to report ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT APPLETON. H •on the first Saturday of each month, with the names of such per- sons as they recommend for election. Judging by the present custom in clubs and associations, it is a fair interpretation of this last provision tliat such names are to be either kept on file, or posted in the building by the Secretary until the next stated meeting, when they shall be voted upon by the Society. I believe that it may increase the interest in the Society to follow the plan which is thus suggested by our constitution, rather than to adjourn our stated meetings with very little occa- sion, as has been simply a custom. I believe this will be return- ing to a former custom. During the past year the Society has lost by death 33 life members, and gained 24 ; and has lost by death 13 annual mem- bers, and by commutation to life membership 1 ; while 5 annual members have resigned, making a loss of 19 annual members, with a gain of 18. The use of the library appears to have decreased, and I sug- gest that if the Committee on the Library shall make a rule lim- iting the time during which books can be kept from the library room, such a rule might help develop the usefidness of the library. The value of the library should become better known to the students of horticulture, and it is hoped that such may result. I commend to your careful consideration the several reports of your Standing Committees, from which you will gain information - as to those departments, and learn of the suggestions therein made for the good of the Society. Those reports will be printed in the Transactions, which I hope will be issued soon, in order that their usefulness to you may thus be the greater. With the intelligence that can be found in our printing offices today, those can be found who will assume the responsibility of technical work, and thus expedite to our benefit in this case, for example, what might otherwise cause much delay under old-fashioned methods. The interest in the miishroom, a most nourishing food when the edible species are known to the gardener, has grown largely within the past few years, and a more general knowledge among our people of what are the edible species, and what are their characteristics, is desirable. I have asked Mr. Hollis Webster, an expert, to give me a few points to incorporate into my address, but as he has so well 10 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. expressed the views of the mushroom lover iu a letter to me, I shall present it as being what I would call to your attention. Hoping that this new year may bring profit and happiness in all due quantity to our members, and expressing my appreciation of the honor of again serving you in this chair, we Avill now continue the usual order of business. The appropriations previously recommended by the Executive Committee for the year 1897 came up for final action, and were unanimously voted, as follows : For Prizes and Gratuities : For Plants 1 2,000 For Flowers For Fruits For Vegetables . For Gardens 2,600 1,800 1,200 500 Total for Prizes and Gratuities for the year 1897, f 8,100 These amounts are the same as last year, except that for Vege- tables, to which $50 is added. The following appropriations were also recommended, all being' the same as last year : For the Committee on Lectures and Publication, this sum to include the income of $50 from the John Lewis Russell Fund $300 For the Committee of Arrangements, this sum to cover all extraordinary expenses of said Committee . . 400 For the Library Committee for the purchase of maga- zines and newspapers, binding of books, and inci- dental expenses of said Committee .... 400 For the Committee on School Gardens and Children's Herbariums, this sum to cover all incidental expenses of said Committee, and to be paid through the usual channels ......... 250 The Executive Committee further recommended that the sum of $38 be transferred to the Flower Committee from the unex- pended balance of the appropriation for the Fruit Committee, to cover the deficit in the awards made by the Flower Committee in 1896, the same not to establish a precedent. The Executive Committee also reported that they had procured EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS. 11 an act in addition to the act incorporating the Society, empow- ering it to hold real and personal estate to an amount not exceed- ing one million dollars. The Executive Committee reported the appointment of Charles E. Richardson as Treasurer and Superintendent of the Building^^ and recommended to the Society to appropriate $1,500 for his salary. The Committee also reported the appointment of Robert Manning as Secretary and Librarian, and recommended the appropriation of f 1,500 for his salary. These reports were unanimously accepted, and the recommen- dations therein adopted, and the appropriations recommended were voted. John G. Barker, Chairman of a Committee to prepare a memo- rial of the late Samuel G. Damon, reported as follows : The Committee appointed to prepare a memorial of our late associate, Mr. Samuel G. Damon, respectfully report that they have attended to their duty, and present the following preamble and resolutions : Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father in his wise prov- idence to remove from our number Mr. Samuel G. Damon, we de- sire to place on record our appreciation of his worth and labors. Mr. Damon had been a member of this Society for thirty years, and during that time was a constant contributor to the exhibi- tions. Fruit was his specialty, and he excelled as a cultivator of hardy grapes and pears, and carried off many first prizes as evidence of his skill in this department of horticulture. In all the walks of life he was an upright and honorable man, and a perfect gentleman, and while we miss his presence among us his memory and influence still live. Therefore be it Resolved, That we deeply mourn the loss of this most worthy member, and sympathize with his family in the still greater loss they have sustained. Resolved, That this preamble and resolutions be spread upon the records, and that a copy be sent to the family of the deceased. John G. Barker, ^ E. W. Wood, I Committee. C. F. Curtis, J The memorial was unanimously adopted. 12 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. E. W. Wood was granted further time to prepare his report as Delegate to the State Board of Agriculture. On motion of Ex-President William C. Strong, a vote of thanks to the President for his annual address was unanimously passed, the question being put by the Secretary. The President ex- pressed his pleasure at the appreciation by the Societ}^ of his efforts to serve it. E. W. Wood, Chairman of the Committee on Fruits, read docu- ments looking to legislation for the prevention of the disease of the peach known as " yellows." A motion that the Society take part in the effort to secure such legislation was negatived, after discussion by several members. The President read a letter from the Executive Committee of the Boston Mycological Club, thanking the Society for the hospi- tality extended to the Club, and expressing their high apprecia- tion of its value ; without it they would hardly have been so successful as they were in extending so widely the knowledge of this branch of the Society's work, John Mutch, of Brookline, and Henky S. Adams, of Dorchester, having been recommended by the Executive Committee for membership in the Society, were on ballot duly elected. The President announced that the first of the series of weekly lectures for the present season Avould be given on the next Satur- day, by Professor George L. Goodale, of Harvard University ; subject, " Tropical Horticulture," with stereopticon illustrations of the principal Economic Plants of Hot Climates, and that the lectures would be free to all. The meeting was then dissolved. MEETING FOR LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 9, 1897. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was liolden at eleven o'clock today, the President, Francis H. Appletox, in the chair. The lecture Avas on TROPICAL HORTICULTURE. 13^ Tropical Hokticulture, with Illustrations of the Prin- cipal Economic Plants of Hot Climates. By George Lincoln Goodalb, ProfeBsor of Botany in Harvard University, Cambridge. Tropical horticulture is likely to attract more and more atten- tion at the hands of our younger and more enterprising students of the subject of botany as increased facilities are afforded for gaining an acquaintance with the capabilities of the tropics. And with this increase of opportunity there will probably come increased interest on the part of investors and business men in different lines of commerce depending on the products of trop- ical agriculture and horticulture. As some now present are aware, considerable increase of interest in this matter has already been manifested in this vicinity, and already a good amount of capital has gone forward in lucrative undertakings of this nature. Therefore it will not be out of place in a meeting in this hall, devoted to the advancement of horticulture in general, to pre- sent some of the phases of this subject and call attention to some of the requisite cautions which possibly may be forgotten. It must be remembered that the subject should be most care- fully examined by all those who intend to engage in tropical pur- suits, and the numerous works of a practical character on the subject leave little excuse for such persons to be ignorant in regard to conditions which will confront them in the tropics. Keferring, then, all inquirers who have in mind undertaking trop- ical horticulture to the treatises of a practical character, many of which can be seen in the excellent library of the Massachu- setts Horticultural Society, I shall pass at once to a brief consid- eration of a few salient points of some general interest, and illustrate the subject by numerous photographs of tropical vege- tation. Our cursory survey will be confined to the moist tropics, and will not touch the interesting matter of the deserts, reclaimable and irreclaimable. The tropical climate which we are to look at is best exemplified in the equatorial belt. The climatic condi- tions of this zone have been most graphically described by Belt, Bates, Charles Kingsley, and Alfred Eussell Wallace, whose works are absorbingly interesting from every point of view. 14 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. From the works of one of these authors I shall cite a descrip- tion of a tropical day. And as you examine the peculiarities of an equatorial day, you will remember that near the Tropic of Cancer and the Troj)ic of Capricorn the climate is by no means as ■equable as that near the Equator. Wide ranges in temperature and rain may come in with the changing seasons, and annual vegetation may go down even to the verge of extinction, as is now the deplorable case in parts of the south and middle of India. Bearing this in mind, we may consider the equatorial day. I quote from Mr. Bates, the naturalist in Nicaragua. He begins with the morning, in which there is no twilight. Day is not ushered in by dawn as with us. "At that early period of the day [the first tw^o hours after sun- rise] the sky was invariably cloudless, the thermometer marking seventy-two degrees or seventy-three degrees Fahrenheit; the heavy dew of the previous night's rain, which lay on the moist foliage, becoming quickly dissipated by the glowing sun, which, rising straight out of the east, mounted rapidly toward the zenith. All nature was fresh, new leaf and flower-buds expanding rapidly. . . . The heat increased hourly, and towards two o'clock reached ninety-two degrees to ninety-three degrees Fahrenheit, by wliich time every voice of bird and mammal was hushed. The leaves, which were so moist and fresh in early morning, now became lax and drooping, and Howers shed their petals. On most days in June and July a heavy shower would fall some- time in the afternoon, producing a most welcome coolness. The approach of the rain-clouds was after a uniform fashion very interesting to observe. First, the cool sea-breeze which had commenced to blow about ten o'clock, and which had increased in force with the increasing power of the sun, would flag and finally die away. The heat and electric tension of the atmos- phere would then become almost insupportable. Languor and uneasiness would seize on everyone, even the denizens of the forest betraying it by their motions. White clouds would appear in the east and gather into cumuli, with an increasing blackness along their lower portions. The whole eastern hori- zon would become almost suddenly black, and this would spread upwards, the sun at length becoming obscured. Then the rush of a mighty wind is heard through the forest, swaying the tree- tops ; a vivid flash of lightning bursts forth, then a crash of TROPICAL HORTICULTURE. 15 thunder, and down streams the deluging rain. Such storms soon cease, leaving bluish-black, motionless clouds in the sky until night. Meantime all nature is refreshed ; but heaps of flower-petals and fallen leaves are seen under the trees. Tow- ards evening life revives again, and the ringing " uproar is resumed from bush and tree. The following morning the sun again rises in a cloudless sky ; and so the cycle is completed ; spring, summer, and autumn, as it were, in one tropical day. The days are more or less like this throughout the year. A little difference exists between the dry and wet seasons ; but generally the dry season, which lasts from July to December, is varied with showers, and the wet, from January to June, with sunny days. It results from this, that the periodical phenomena of l)lants and animals do not take place at about the same time in all species, or in the individuals of any given species, as they do in temperate countries." It is under conditions like these that the tropical cultivator has to live and carry on his work. The enervating influence of the climate upon a resident of the cooler zones is very marked, but with proper precautions as to living according to the stern rules ■of hygiene, life can be made very safe. [At this point Professor Goodale introduced on the screen many stereopticon views of the dominant vegetation of the tropical climates, both north and south of the equator. The description of these views obviously cannot be given in this report. The lecturer then proceeded to the consideration of some of the more important food plants of the tropics and sub-tropics, and their cultivation.] Tropical cultivation of food plants is interesting from the eth- nological standpoint. In warm climates where men can easily procure enough food to sustain life there is little incentive to exertion. If a small group of cocoanut palms and a fcAv banana plants yield all the food one wants, why should any pains betaken, for instance, to raise rice ? However, the natives of hot, moist climates do attend to the cultivation of a few food plants, one of the reasons being that they wish to vary the monotony of diet. Many tropical products reach the markets of the world di- rectly from the wild plants, but many of these plants are com- ing more and more under cultivation. The cultivation is, as can easily be understood, largely under the stimulating influence of 16 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. foreigners in these hot climates. Their enterprise, such as it is, lies at the basis of nearly all such cultivation of tropical crops. Among the more commonly cultivated tropical products are spices, a few palms, textile plants, sugar-cane, certain varieties of tobacco, a few coloring matters, and many food plants. A few of these plants are now to be reviewed, and we may begin with the food plants. Rice. — As raised in Ceylon, the land in Avhich rice is to be planted is laid out so as to be saturated with water as re- quired. The soil, being covered with a few inches of water, is stirred up by implements, or by driving bullocks hither and thither over it. In this loosened soil the seeds are placed and the quickly grown plants, with their tender green shoots, soon give the field a beautiful appearance. By and by the nodding heads show that the grain is growing heavy, but the vigilance of the cultivator does not relax. The ground is frequently saturated and search is made for the enemies of the plant. When the harvest comes the laborers secure the crop mostly by hand, as the grains are so easily detached that great care must be taken to grasp each cluster firmly before it is cut off. The rice is then husked and the dark brown grains become the beautiful white ones Ave know so well. In the Botanical Museum at Cambridge these processes are illustrated by photographs and the products are shown in all stages. Near by is another collection which at this time possesses great pathos — that of the famine-grains of India. Only the well-to-do can use rice, and cheaper grains are the food of the poor. But this year these have failed and a ter- rible famine is approaching parts of middle India, and before many months have gone, thousands will have died of starvation. The reason for this is that these people live just north of the equable equatorial belt, Avhere the climatic conditions are unfa- vorable. Coffee. — The coffee of commerce is raised within the tropics. Given by Arabia to the Malayan Archipelago and to parts of India and Ceylon, it has generally flourished. In Ceylon, how- ever, it has had an almost fatal check from a destructive fungus and an equally destructive insect. The coffee plant at a distance sometimes resembles one of our Viburnums, but often takes the shape of a tree. Approaching, one sees the glossy dark-green TROPICAL HORTICULTURE. 17 leaves, white flowers, and forming fruit. The trees, which are placed far enough apart to give room for gathering the ripe ber- ries, require little care beyond keeping the ground clear at their base and removing any scale or other insects. When ripe the berries are gathered and " pulped." The seeds are generally two, with flat faces which come together. Sometimes only one seed ripens, and becomes round. It is then called " pea-berry " or " male-berry." These seeds are next separated from a parch- ment-like membrane which clings to the interior cleft, and after drying are ready for shipment. Tea. — The different varieties of the tea plant are probably all referable to two species of Camellia. In hot climates like Ceylon it is possible to get an excellent product at less risk of injury, and cheaper, as to mere raising, than in China or Japan. But it is subsequent treatment which largely controls the price. The plants must be good, to start with, and must have good soil. When ready for the first picking the laborers snip .off with thumb and finger the tips of the branches. When the bush is thus stripped it is ready to have the axillary buds* start out and give new growths of fresh tips, and so on, a new picking being- possible as often as the shoot is ready. The picked tips are brought to the factory and dried, and prepared to constitute green tea. Nowadays it is more common to let the leaves wilt a little, and undergo a process of change which is improperly but very generally called " fermentation," by which they become much blackened. They are then rolled by ingenious machinery and carefully dried. This is a very brief account of the usual process now adopted in Ceylon and parts of India for the preparation of certain forms of black tea. In Ceylon and India it is possible to have a good many '• flushes " of fresh shoots and tender leaves during the year, whereas in more northern regions the number of pickings is much less. Obviously the most costly factor in the production of tea is the labor in picking it. This renders it practically impossible to cultivate tea profitably under existing labor conditions in our own South. At the present time tea is seldom adulterated. The very cheap teas in the market are chiefly those which have been injured by keeping, or have suffered in some way during : manufacture or transportation. Besides them, there are good cheap teas which are simply from coarser leaves. 18 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTDRAL SOCIETY. Cacao. — Chocolate plants, as we shall now for convenience denominate the Cacao trees from which chocolate is prepared^ were originally carried from America to the Old World. They are now cultivated in many parts of the eastern tropical belt, as well as in Central and South America and the West Indian Islands. The plant demands rich soil and a good deal of shelter. One of the most interesting features of this plant is the coming out of the blossoms and fruit on the older parts of the stems. After the fruits are gathered they are opened and their almond- like seeds are spread out for the removal of a part of the pulp. They then undergo a kind of heating process, popularly and not very improperly called " fermentation." The seeds freed from the still clinging, but now rather dry pulp are ready for shipment. [The cultivation of the banana and its allies and the treatment of palms for the best yield of fruits were next considered at much length, after which the subject of spices came up. The lecturer then spoke of the life of the tropical horticulturist, noting his fondness for plants strange to his own surroundings. He enu- merated the principal annoying weeds of the tropics, especially Mimosa and the tuberous species of Oxalis.] Ginger, Annotto, Curcuma, and a few other species were studied by me in a plantation where Cacao was being successfully culti- vated. The work requires a large margin of capital, energy, patience, and health. The tropical cultivator, especially he who has large interests, is subjected to a heavy strain in such a climate. There are perils from invasions of insects and fungi to be guarded against. There are constant improvements in varieties, eagerly seized by competitors, and these must be met. The delights, however, are many, and are attractive to certain temperaments. I^ature is at its best in the tropics ; life is full to the brim. Though there is not the keen zest in sports and study which is- gained from the crisp air of a colder climate, still one can retreat to the hills to gather fresh strength for a new lease of life in the plains. For the children of the English-speaking planter such retreat is absolutely necessary, at short intervals. If now, in brief resume, we reduce this complicated question to its lowest terms, we see that tropical horticulture has this rfemark- able peculiarity : it is conducted under conditions wholly favor- able to the life of plants. But just here lies the peril. What is good for one plant is, generally speaking, good for another, and TROPICAL HORTICULTURE. 19 hence tlie cultivated, plants thrive luxuriantly, but so do weeds and foes. This is illustrated in a striking manner by the growth of Coffee in Ceylon. Everything favored the Coffee plant. ^N'ature was in every way most propitious, but the conditions were favorable also to destructive fungi, and these began their disheartening work. The most destructive of these, here and. there assisted, as I have already said, by a destructive insect, ravaged the plantations so completely that the excellent Ceylon Coifee became almost lost to commerce. It is therefore warfare of a most unrelenting kind which man must wage against the foes of cultivated plants in the tropics. He must at every point aid his proteges which have been ren- dered almost completely helpless by long-continued assistance from man. When the hand or aid of man is withdrawn, the cul- tivated plant either falls an easy prey to its foes or it relapses into a sort of quasi-defence, which often suggests the wild con- dition from which it sprang. While, therefore, there is very much to encourage the novice in tropical horticulture there is very much that is preeminently dis- couraging. Tropical horticulture is far from being a sinecure. It demands earnest study of the conditions of plant life in all its relations, and it requires, also, a knowledge of the difficulty of getting good work done under tropical skies. Under exceptional conditions good work is done by natives, but as a rule they are apathetic and it is hard to secure faithful service. The young man who leaves a northern home for tropical venture must make up his mind to hard work under unfamiliar conditions. With this steadily in mind such ventures, under the precautions referred to, can be reasonably successful. [The lecture was illustrated throughout by stereopticon views, chiefly of Ceylon, the Straits settlements, Java and the ^Malayan Archipelago, together with some of the newer plantations in Xorthern Queensland and Polynesia. Professor Goodale also re- ferred to a Chinese book on the cultivation of Rice, in the Library of the Horticultural Society, with plates giving a vivid idea of the cultivation of that grain in China.] 20 3IASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. MEETING FOE LECTUEE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 16, 1897. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, Vice-President Charles H. B. Breck in the chair. The following lecture, which was fully illustrated with stereopticon pictures, was delivered: The Structure and Classification of Mushrooms. By HoLLis Webster, Seci-etaiy of the Boston Mycological Club, Cambridge. Whatever may be the cause of the present popular interest in mushrooms, it is evident not only to botanists, but to casual readers of the monthly periodicals and of the daily press, that within a few years this interest has grown largely, and that it is spreading widely. Its manifestations are various and unmistak- able ; but most of them have taken the form of demands for in- formation and of the responses of those who have been willing to give it. Three years ago, for instance, there appeared three responses to this demand, one from an artist,' whose nature studies have made him popularly known ; one from the State Botanist of New York,* who has for thirty years given special attention to the subject ; and one from the Professor of Crypto- gamic Botany at Harvard.^ Most of the numerous articles that have recently appeared have been concerned with showing the difference between edible and poisonous kinds of mushrooms (or toadstools, which are the same thing), and have been addressed to the general public. There are, however, many persons who wish to know something about mushrooms as plants, and perhaps to engage in limited studies concerning them. These people generally lack a knowl- edge of the elementary facts concerning structure and classifica- tion that would make easy an attack upon the literature of the subject. To such would-be students of a small part of the field of mycology this lecture is addressed in the hope that it may be of some assistance. At the outset it will be well to come to an understanding as to the term rmtshroom itself. In every-day language it usuall\- 1 W. H. Gibson, in " Harper's Monthly Magazine" for August, 1894. - C. H. Peck, in the "Cultivator ami Country Gentleman," May oT-Sept. 'JO, 1894. ^ W. G. Farlow, in " Garden and Forest," Jan. •i4-Feb. -JS, 1S04. MUSHROOMS. 21 means the sort of fleshy fungus that is good to eat, and particu- larly — to some people only — the common pasture kind. A toadstool, on the other hand, means something poisonous, or at least to be avoided. As a matter of fact, no distinction can be made between the two terms, though the term toadstool is more comprehensive, for it may be used to include the common pasture mushroom and all other fungi whose form is in general the same. Both terms are also loosely applied to other kinds, even to such forms as Puff-balls and Stink-horns. If we look at a common mushroom of the pasture or the market, we see that it may be easily divided into two parts, an upright stalk, called the stipe, and a flat, expanded portion, the cap or plleus. Attached to the under side of the cap are mem- branous plates, the gills, or lamince, radiating from the top of the stipe to the edge of the pileus. The upper part of the gills is attached to the lower surface of the cap, and their lower edges, which are usually very thin and rather sharp, hang free. In the mushroom that we are examining there is a space between the crowded inner ends of the gills and the top of the stem. In other kinds of mushrooms we may find the same condition of things, or it may be that the gills reach the stem and are attached to it, or even run down upon it as ridges, which in some cases end abruptly and in others are gradually reduced to mere lines. Upon the gills are borne in countless numbers the spores — exceed- ingly minute bodies, which, as it is their ofiRce to germinate and grow into new mushroom plants, may be roughly compared to seeds. The mushroom, in fact, as we see it, is nothing but a con- trivance for the production and dissemination of the spores. The arrangement of the gills gives an enormous spore-bearing surface, whence the spores are carried by the Avind or by insects, or drop to the ground below. If the cap of a fully grown mush- room be cut from the stem and laid, gills downward, on paper under a tumbler or other cover to keep draughts away, there will be found on the paper after a few hours — sometimes in a very short time — a layer of spores, making a negative print of the gills. In the common mushroom this print Avill be of a dark brown — almost a purple brown — the color, it will be noticed, of the gills at maturity, for the gills usually take the color of the spores. Stem, cap, and gills are characteristic parts of most of the fungi commonly called mushrooms or toadstools. There are 22 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. other structures, however, peculiar to certain groups. These are a volva, a ring, and a veil. Of the volva, or sheath, characteristic of the poisonous Amanita, a description will be given presently. The common mushroom does not possess it, but does show us a. ring and veil. If we look at a young specimen that has not been long above ground and is still in its compact, rounded form, called by mush- room-growers a button, we shall see no gills on the under side of the cap. Indeed, the mushroom may sometimes grow to nearly its full height before they are visible. The reason is easy to see, for stretching unbroken from the edge of the unexpanded pileus to the stem is a delicate membrane called the veil. As the pileiis expands, the veil is torn. Shreds of it, perhaps, cling to the edge of the cap, but most of it remains, encircling the stem and thus forming a ring, — a structure the appearance and size of which vary in the different sorts of mushrooms which possess one. In the genus Amanita, for instance, there is a conspicuous veil. Moreover if you will look at the base of the stem, you will see something else — something like a membranous bag or sheath, from which the stem emerges. Now, when a young Amanita pushes up from the ground, this sheath or bag, technically the volva, encloses the entire plant. As the cap and stem press upward, the volva is ruptured at the top. In the mature plant its remnants are to be found at the base of the stem and some- times in scattered scaly fragments on the top of the cap. The volva is not in every case so conspicuous as in the example first shown. In others it is reduced to a ridge running round the swollen base, or even to scales. Since the base of the plant is often below the surface of the ground, and the stem breaks easilj^ care must be used in gathering specimens if the volva is to be secured intact. The structures so far spoken of are easily seen, but there is much more to a mushroom than this. You have been told that a mushroom is simply a contrivance for bearing spores. It is thus comparable to the fruit of a flow- ering plant, which develops and contains the seeds. "Where, then, you will ask, is the vegetative part of the plant, the part that absorbs the nourishment and does all the preparatory work of which the sfrowth of the mushroom itself is the result ? In other MUSHROOMS. 23 words, what sort of a plant develops from a spore aud where does it live? If you could follow, as you may under a micro- scope, the germination of a spore, and the stages of growth which follow, your eyes would give you the answer to the first part of this question. You would see the minute spherical or ellipsoid bodies, when supplied with the requisite moisture, burst and put forth slender colorless threads called hijphcu. These in time branch again and again, extending constantly in length to form what is called the mycelium, or vegetative part of the plant. When such threads are massed together in strands, form- ing white lace-work or cottony bunches, they are easily found in the substratum on which the fungus grows — in rotten Avood, for instance, or in a heap of leaves, or other decaying vegetable matter. In such places the mycelium spreads over or permeates the substance from which it draws its food supply. For fungi do not elaborate their food from raw materials as do the plants that have green coloring matter, but are dependent upon other vege- table or animal organisms, either living or dead; that is, they are parasites, or saprophytes. What is known by mushroom-growers as the spawn consists of a dried compressed portion of a mushroom bed, generally mixed straw and horse droppings, which is permeated by the mycelium. In this condition, in the form of flakes or bricks, it may be trans- ported, and will keep its vitality for months, active growth being for the time arrested. As a rule, then, when mushroom beds are started, it is the mycelium or spawn which is planted — not the spores. When the proper conditions of warmth and moisture are supplied, growth is resumed, and the threads, lengthening, branching, and anastomosing, very soon spread throughout the bed. It is plain, then, that the mushroom plant for most of its life is out of sight, and consequently not familiarly known. To this fact are due .many erroneous notions about the origin of mush- rooms themselves. When the time has come for the plant to pro- duce its fruit, there form at various points in the mycelium small masses of densely branching interwoven threads, which in time enlarge to an appreciable size. Each of these masses is the be- ginning of a button, or nascent mushroom. An examination of buttons in various stages of growth, by means of thin sections brought into the field of a compound microscope, show^s pretty •clearlj^ the part played by the hyphfe in the mushroom proper, the 24 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. substance of which is made up of the compacted and closely inter- woven threads and their branches. Along certain radiating lines is formed the framework of the gills, which in the developed mush- room is called the trania. Just below the gills an air space ap- pears, the outer wall of which becomes the so-called veil. Lastly, upon the surface of the gills develops a layer of cells standing side by side like the single threads in the pile of velvet or in the surface of an Oriental rug. With these cells we have a special concern. Taken together they form the hymenium, the spore-producing tissue, which, folded like a fan, is applied to both sides of the gill-plates. A section through a gill shows us this layer. Each one of the club- shaped spore-bearing cells composing it is called a f>asidinm. Each basidium bears four spores on minute stalks. So far we have dealt exclusively with gill-bearing mushrooms, a group to which as a whole is given the name Agaricixi. There are other common kinds in which also basidia and spores are developed on an exposed hy menial surface. The hymenium is dis- posed in different ways. In one group, a large one, it lines the inside of small tubes which are fastened vertically, with the open mouths downward, in a closely packed mass on the under side of the pileus ; this is the group of Polyporei. In a third group, the Hydnei, it covers the surface of spines, teeth, or other protuberances. In a fourth it is smooth, without distinctive feature, evenly spread over one or both sides of the tough, or coriaceous, thin body of the plant ; this is the character of the Thelephorei. In a fifth group, the Clavariei, the plant i& tender, fleshy, erect, and often densely branching, bearing the hy- menium on all sides of the tips of the branches. Last are placed the rather shapeless, gelatinous Tremellinei, which shrivel when dry, and swell again with moisture ; in these the hymenium covers the outer surface. From the similar nature of the hyme- nium and its exposure in these six groups they are classed together as the Hymejtomycetes. To this natural class, " vasta Fungorum classis," as it was called by Fries, whose treatment of it still remains the basis of later classifications, belong most of the fungi commonly termed mushrooms or toadstools.^ 1 A good systematic account of the class as it appears in Great Britain, a work which ia the absence of one specially adapted to this country is exceedingly helpful to a student, is Stevenson's " llymenomycetcs Britannici." MUSHROOMS. 25 This class, however, does not include all the fleshy fungi, or even all those in which there is a hymenium with spore-bearing basidia. In a second class, much smaller, there is a similar method of fruiting ; but the hymenium is not exposed, at least at first. A common puff-ball is the best example. A microscopic examination of the interior of a puff-ball shows that it is com- posed of a mass of chambers the walls of which are covered with basidia, the similarity of which to those in the class first treated is very plain. The chambers, however, are partly filled with branch- ing threads, together called the cajpilUthnn. When the puff-ball is ripe and breaks open at the top, it is found that the chamber walls have become disintegrated and that the disconnected threads of the capillitiuni are left, together with an immense collection of spores, all in a dry state and ready to be caught by the first breath of wind. From the shape of the fruiting mass in the puff-ball and allied forms this class is called the G-asteromy- CETES. Since the class is small, our botanists have been able to describe most of our species, at least those of the Eastern part of the United States ; and fairly exhaustive systematic accounts of them are to be found in the papers of Burt, Morgan, and others on the Phalloids or Stink-horns, and of Peck, McBride, Morgan, and others on the Puff-balls. Pructification by means of spore-bearing basidia unites these two classes, together with others composed of less conspicuous fungi, under a still more comprehensive name, that of Basidiomy- CETES. There still remain a few mushrooms not included in the groups spoken of, namely, the Morels, HelveUas, and Pezlzas. The first two are stalked, and roughly resemble the familiar Agarics ; the last are shallow cups or fleshy expansions. A word as to the form of their fructification must suffice. Examination under a microscope of a bit of the outer or upper surface of one of these plants will reveal structures at first sight much like those in the Basidiomycetes. A mat of crowded slender cylindrical cells is seen covering the surface ; none of these cells, however, bear spores on their tips. Instead, some of them — not all — con- tain spores in their interior. Each is, in fact, a little enclosure, called an ascus, and if one that is mature be separated from the rest, it will readily be seen to contain eight — almost invariably eight — spores. At the proper time these escape from the asci. 26 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETr. sometimes suddenly and myriads at once. From the surface of a Peziza, for example, as you look at it, there comes a little puff of smoke as the ejected spores are shot into the air to be blown away in a tiny cloud. Pezizas, Helvellas, and Morels are some of the Discomycetes, a class excellently treated for Great Britain by Phillips. Multitudes of fungi besides the Discomycetes have a fructification which consists of asci, and the comprehensive name for all of them is Ascomycetes. Most of the mushrooms gathered by the increasing number of fungus hunters, at least by beginners in the study, belong to that class of Basidiomycetes called Hymenomycetes. Among these an Agaric is at once recognized by its gills ; a Boletus or Poly- porus by its pores ; a Hydnum by its tooth-like projections ; a Clavaria by its coral-like appearance ; and a Tremella by its gelatinous nature. So far identification is a simple matter ; but to go farther and decide upon the species requires close study, accurate observation of details of structure, ability to interpret published descriptions, and most of all experience. Many of you know well enough the difficulties you meet in " running down " a flowering plant in Gray's Manual — difficulties which arise often from incomplete knowledge of the structure of the plant, but sometimes from the lack of sharply defined and conspicuous characters in the species itself. The same difficulties meet you in the determination of mushrooms, aggravated by the lack of a Gray's Manual and not infrequently by incomplete or misleading descriptions in the books available. The most frequent puzzles in identification are among the Agaricini, or gill-bearing mushrooms, whose numbers enormously exceed those of any others you are likely to collect. Since for the most part they are built on the same general plan, and re- semble one another at first sight much more strongly than they differ, the task of separation demands close scrutiny and a prac- tised eye. Every detail of structure must be noted : the shape, surface, color, and markings of the cap ; the thickness and char- acter of the flesh ; the color, shape, and method of attachment of the gills ; the nature of the stem inside and out ; the presence or absence of ring, veil, and volva, and the nature of each ; and also the color and sometimes the shape and size of the spores. No permanent character, whether gross or minute, must escape the eye. MUSHROOMS. 27 A brief ovitline of Fries's classification of the Agarics will iudi- cate how the most prominent of these characters are seized upon for a division into groups and genera. The Agarics proper, in which the hymenium is closely connected with the tissue which supports it, fall readily into five groups according to the color of their spores, which are white, pinkish or salmon-color, rusty- brown or ochraceous, dark or purplish brown, and black. Each of these groups is divided into genera (called subgenera by Eries, Avho placed all five groups under one genus, Agariciis) by differ- ences in gross and minute structure. For example, among the white-spored genera (Leiicosjwri) Amanita is known by its volva ; Lepiota by its ring and free' gills, Armillaria by its ring and adnate' gills, Tricholoma by practical absence of veil and by sin- uate' gills, CUtocyhe by decurrent' gills, Collyhia by the involute margin of the young pileus and by a cartilaginous stem, and so on through the list. With the pink spored Agarics {Hijporhodii) we run through the same category of structural differences, Vol- varia corresponding to Amanita, Entoloma to Tricholoma, and so on ; and the same thing may be said of the rusty brown spored (Deromni), the dark brown spored (Pratelli), and the black spored (Coprinarli), although in the last three groups by no means all types of structural difference are represented. To avoid possible confusion in nomenclature, it should be said that since the sub- genera of Fries's original genus Agaricus have been raised to gen- eric value, the old name Agaricus formerly given to each species has been retained only for the species of Fries's subgenus Psalli- ota. Hence what old-fashioned writers call Agaricus vmscarius, A. procerus, A. equestris, A. sinuatus, etc., are now known, respec- tively, as Amanita micscaria, Lejnota procera, Tricholom,a equestre, and Entoloma sinuatum. Still other genera not included by Fries in the old genus Agari- cus are included by Saccardo, and after him by ISIassee and others, with the genera already mentioned under four groups, divided according to spore color. Among these genera are Cortinarius, distinguished by its arachnoid veil ; Coprinus, which deliquesces to an inky liquid ; Cantharellus, with gills like swollen veins ; Lactarius, with milky juice ; Lentinns, with tough substance and serrate gills ; and others. 1 The significance of these and other terms was made clear by lantern slides. 28 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. In concluding I present to you the portrait of tlie revered Swedish mycologist, Elias Fries, who first introduced logical order into the systematic arrangement of mushrooms. After a life devoted to botany, and principally to mycology, he died in 1878 leaving all subsequent students of his chosen field everlastingly indebted to him. The portrait is taken from the second volume of his classical " Icones," or illustrations of mushrooms, which, together with his earlier work on the edible and poisonous species of Sweden, may be seen in the library of the INIassachusetts Hor- ticultural Society. Hoping that this brief exposition in connection with the figures that you have seen may have cleared the ground a little, I refer you for more detailed information to the many good books upon the subject, and particularly to the mushrooms themselves. MEETII^G FOR LECTURE AI:^"D DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 23, 1897. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Erancts H. Appletox, in the chair. The following paper was read by the author : The Chrysanthemum: Its Past, Present, and Future. By Edmund M. Wood, Natick, Mass. I have the honor, and most assuredly the pleasure, of address- ing you upon a subject dear to us all, if for no other reason than that it is a part and parcel of '' the means by which we live.'- The Chrysanthemum has, not inaptly, been termed " the Queen of the Autumn," and it is certainly, as it well deserves to be, one of (if not altogether) the most popular of autumn flowers, a special reservation being made at all seasons for the incomparable and unexcelled Rose. A famous Irish poet, William Allingham, tlius sings : " The rustic family of ox-eyes claim A royal cousin clad in purple and gold, Pearl, ruby, fleecy colors, such as fold The couching sun, and with a lofty name Chrysanthemum, — appearing l)right and bold To startle poor November with a flame THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 29 Of sumptuous flowerage, making Summer tame, And flush with Eastern pomp the dark and cold. Voyager from Japan and broad Cathay, The slant-eyed yellow people love thee much : (All humans love a flower) and know the way To fix their garden favorite with fine touch In shapes of art. How joyful we to clutch Their gifts ! — but shall we clasp their hands one day? " Mr. B. C. Raveuscroft, in his treatise on the Chrysanthemum, published in London in 1894, speaks of the popularity of the flower in England. He says that "from the date of the first Chrysanthemum show held in England in 1830, it has steadily advanced, not only in popularity, but in the size and beauty of the flowers as well, and above all in the number of new varieties constantly being introduced. As a matter of fact, more ' novelties ' are now being raised and sent out annually than the entire list would number but a very few years ago. Several years have now elapsed since it was the opinion of many horti- culturists (myself among the number) that the Chrysanthemum 'craze' was already on the wane; but the ev^ent proved the idea to be altogether erroneous. On the contrary, the flower has since become vastly more popular, and is now cultivated in much larger numbers and to greater perfection than ever." Our own •experience here in the United States is but a counterpart of that in the mother country. Mr. Eavenscroft says further, and very justly, that "the secret ■of the extraordinary popularity of the Chrysanthemum is prob- ably to be found in its unprecedentedly accommodating charac- ter, combined with its great utility, not only for exhibition and ordinary decorative purposes, but for supplying flowers for cut- ting, etc. ; while the fact of its natural season of flowering being the autumn and early winter, when flowers generally are much scarcer than at any other season, is doubtless a strong point in its favor. The culture of the plant, at least to a moder- ate degree of excellence, is also extremely simple, though this can scarcely be said of the production of blossoms for exhibition of the degree of perfection that is required at the present day ; while the season for flowering is a long one, and ma}' be extended to more than half of the year. "The Chrysanthemum is indeed vigorous, free-rooting, and 30 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. floriferous to a quite unusual degree, and is, moreover, easily and rapidly propagated with the simplest appliances. " Again, it is an almost, if not quite, hardy subject : and though a slight amount of artificial heat is at times necessary or desir- able, yet it is quite possible to cultivate even the fine show varieties successfully up to a certain point without the aid of any heating apparatus whatever. '' In form, size, and color the flowers are also extremely varied, and for the most part artistic, lacking entirely the stiffness and formality of the Camellia and several other flowers ; in size they vary from the tiny pompone, one inch across, to the huge Japan- ese blossom, one foot or more in diameter ; while the range of coloring is also exceedingly large, and the hues for the most part are veiy rich and soft, if not exactly brilliant. Without doubt, the introduction, or rather development, of the large-flowered Japanese varieties, with their fantastic and endlessly varied forms, and rich, aesthetic coloring, has done much to popularize the plant. One has only to compare the general appearance of a stand of twelve or twenty-four of even the finest incurved varie- ties with an equal number of Japanese flowers, to appreciate the great superiority, from a decorative point of view, of the latter ; while the plants themselves are, on the whole, of a decidedly more robust and vigorous constitution, and consequently iTiore readily cultivated than the formerly more favored incurves." One more advantage possessed by the Chrysanthemum is that, unlike the Rose, it evinces very little objection to a smoky atmos- phere, and may be cultivated almost as successfully in the heart of a city or large town as in the purer air and under the clearer skies of a country spot. As a proof of this, I deem it only neces- sary to refer to the remarkable showing of Chrysanthemums found in the Temple Gardens, in the very midst of the smoke and the black fog of London. But to produce this result, intelligence and a thorough knowledge of the gardener's art are a prime necessity. " As cut flowers Chrysanthemums are unsurpassed, if equalled. The colors are admirably suited for all decorative purposes, while the blossoms not only pack and travel better than those of most other subjects, but they also retain their freshness for a long time when placed in water, often, in a cool and dry atmosphere, for some weeks.'' THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 31 The Chrysanthemum, by which is meant our present race of autumn-flowering hybrids, is descended from two original species only, namely : C. Indicum and C. Slnense. It is in reality a half- hardy undershrub, for the stems, which towards the end of a single season's growth assume a woody nature, if not exposed to more than a few degrees of frost, retain their vitality, to some extent at least, and, under such conditions, frequently break into fresh growth some distance above the base. But in an inhospi- table climate like ours, the stems would be invariably killed back to the ground each winter, and thus become annual merely, while the plant itself assumes the character of a herbaceous perennial. The roots, especially those of the finer, large flowering or " show " kinds, if left in the open ground, would be killed outright during a severe winter, and the more effectually should the soil be damp, heavy, or cold. Here let me say that a Chrysanthemum with small yellow flowers grew in the Apothecaries' Botanic Garden at Chelsea, in England, in 1764 ; but the first of the large-flowered varieties was received at the Royal Gardens at Kew, and blossomed in 1764, and it is from this latter that the centennial introduction of the flower into England dates. The first English seedlings of the Chrysanthemum were raised in 1835 ; and the first Chrysanthemum exhibition in England was held in 1843 at Norwich, and this was soon followed by the Society at Stoke iSTewington, now known as the National Chrysan- themum Society. A new era in the history of this plant opened in England in 1847, by the introduction of the Pompon. In 1843, at the close of the war with China, Mr. Robert Fortune was sent out to that country by the London Horticultural Society to collect rare plants, and one of the curiosities he fell in with was the Chusan Daisy ; and this and another small flower from the same source were the parents of the tribe known, from their resemblance to a rosette, as Pompons. Still later, in 1860-62, Mr. Fortune made more discoveries at the town of Ak-sax-saw in Japan. He describes this town of Ak-sax-saw as the most famous place near Yeddo for the variety and beauty of the Chrysanthemums, some of which were in form and coloring quite distinct from any then known in Europe. " If," he said, " I can succeed in introducing these varieties into 62 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Europe, they may create as great a change among Chrysanthe- mums as my Chusau Daisy did when she became the parent of the present race of Pompons." They were taken up in Eng- land, proved successful, and from them sprang those marvellous flowers which it is the pride of all you gentlemen to present yearly at the notable exhibition of our Massachusetts Horticult- Tiral Society. And speaking of our own exhibition, I am reminded of the fact that in Japan every year a special imperial garden party is given in the palace grounds at Yeddo, in honor of this national flower of Japan ; and at this, which may be termed the leading show of the world, some of the plants display not less than from three hundred and seventy-five to four hundred and fifty fully developed blossoms, grooving upon a single specimen at a time. The Chrysanthemum has been known in the United States for quite a number of years, but as to its early history here not much is to be gleaned, while as to its career in other countries we are left completely in the dark, with the exception of France. Mr. Dale, for some time the gardener to the honorable Society of the Middle Temple, in London, says of the Chrysanthemum, that " in the early part of the present century it was one of the most popular flowers of England, and, further, that after a period of compara- tive neglect it has again been admitted to a place in the list of the florists' flowers " — a circumstance in which I am. quite sure that all of us rejoice. Indeed, Mr. Dale was so much impressed with the beauty of these extraordinary flowers that he tells us that from the necessity of his having to produce a display of flowers dur- ing the greater part of the month of Kovember, his attention was especially directed to the Chrysanthemum as the only one suitable to his purpose. The Chrysanthemum derives its name from two Greek words, chrijsos (gold) and anthos (flower), and belongs to the natural order Compositse, and in the Linnsean classification of plants Ave find it in the class Syngenesia and oxdev Poli/(/amia Stqjerjfua. Its flowers consist of four varieties, namely. Incurved, Eeflexed, Japanese, and Anemone flowered. Incurved flowers approacli the nearest to what florists consider as the true standard of perfection. Eeflexed flowers, though not so good, are by no means to be held in disdain. The Japanese vary very much both in color and the conformation of the flowers, and are most invaluable for conser- THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 33 vatovy decoration, remaining longer in bloom, and extending oft- times to "January's front severe." Among Chrysanthemums the Japanese class stands foremost because of its great size, richness of coloring, and the general effectiveness of its flowers ; and it is beyond all question the most popular and useful of all classes. The flowers vary greatly in form, and, with perhaps some few exceptions, the plants are of vigorous growth, with broad foliage, stout stems, and large flowers ; and it may be that they are more easily grown than any of the other classes. The Incurved class produces flowers whose petals are bent inward toward the points, presenting the appearance of a more or less perfect ball or sphere. It was the first distinct class obtained, and although it is ver}^ beautiful, the blossoms in the mass are not so thoroughly effective as the Japanese, lacking, as they do, the richness and great variety of the coloring. They are, also, more delicate, and certainly more troublesome to manage, than are the Japanese. In the Reflexed class the flowers are not as large and showy as in some others, yet they are beautifully formed. The petals are reflexed or curved downwards, and overlap each other with the greatest regularity, and the coloring is very soft, delicate, and rich. The whole class are excellent growers, the plants bushy and branching, and they are most prolific in blossoms. They are splendidly adapted to open-air culture. Of most of the Pompon class, as you all well know, the flowers in general are insignificant in size, although some, which are known as " Hybrid Pompons,'' are comparatively large. The early, or what may be known as the summer-flowering, Chrysanthemums form a somewhat varied, but none the less a most useful class. The blossoms of several of the earliest flower- ing group are no larger than those of the smallest Pompons, while their growth is but very little more than a foot in height. From these the flowers range in size up to those of Madame Des- grange, William Holmes, etc., which are only slightly smaller than some of the Japanese flowers, and the plants increase up to three feet or four feet in height. As a result of hybridization between the two classes the early-flowering kinds run quite imper- ceptibly into the Japanese, the connecting links being found in such varieties as ]\[adame Desgrange and its sports ; Mile. 34 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETT. Lacroix, Lad}'' Selborne, P. van Geert, etc. The first named, with its sports, G. Wermiz (primrose) and Mrs. Hawkins (deep gold), form a beautiful and most useful group, admirably adapted alike for indoor decoration and for culture in the open air ; and a great future is in store for this most excellent and attractive group. Having thus briefly, and much to my regret imperfectly, sketched the history and peculiarities of this most charming flower, let us take a glance at the methods of its cultivation. Mr. Edwin ^Molyneux, gardener to W. H. Myers, Esq., of Swanmore Park, Bishop's AValthara, England, may be looked upon as an expert in all that appertains to the Chrysanthemum, and he " regards a favorable start as being necessar}' to a success- ful finish. The foundation must be thoroughl}^ laid to insure that success Avhich all should strive to attain who engage in the cultivation of this flower.'" Mr. Molyneux speaks e.r catliedra, for during a period of six years he won eight^^-six prizes, and of these no less than seventy-four were firsts. Moreover, these prizes were won in competition with the best growers of the day at the leading shows in the south of England ; and the Swanmore blooms were placed first during four consecutive years in the great cup class at Kingston-on-Thames — a feat unparalleled in the annals of Chrysanthemum showing, and never approached since. Mr. Molyneux deserved to be crowned King of Chrj^san- themum growers and exhibitors. And here allow me to suggest a fact with which no doubt you are all quite familiar, that within a radius of ninety miles of Boston the Chrysanthemum is grown to a perfection nowhere excelled in this or any other countr3^ The cultivation of the Chrysanthemum for blooms for the market and single specimens for exhibition is attended witli much more care and labor than any other branch of the Chrys- anthemum raising industry ; and the fact remains that the culture of the flower, for exhibition alone, has now been elevated to the dignity of a fine art, or rather to that of an almost exact science, and those who desire to win in the future must do not only all that men who have made the subject a special study of a large part of a lifetime have done in the past, and can do at the pres- ent time, but a little mpre than that, and, if among the possibil- ities, much better, also. Growinor for exhibitions is a most arduous task — the most THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 35 arduous, perhaps, that falls to the lot of the Chrysauthemum raiser, with the single exception of raising new varieties from seed. Exhibiting at the present day is by no means what it has been in the past, and the gaining of prizes has become a really difficult feat. Judging is more minute and more intelligent than it was in bygone days. It is now performed almost exclusively by points, and in order that a sufficient number of these points may be secured, untold minutiae must be most closely observed, otherwise the cultivator, to nse a homely, but yet most applicable phrase, " will not be in it." The only way to succeed in these days is to acquaint one's self thoroughly with the details of culti- vation as practised by the best growers, and then by some fortuitous combination of circumstances to discover a way by which a better method, no matter how slight, may be attained. In all cases, however, constant and unremitting attention must be bestowed upon the plants from the time the cuttings have been first inserted, until the flowers have been placed upon exhibition and the prize won. There is one fact that it is well to bear constantly in mind, and that is, that it is absolutely useless to attempt to grow plants or blooms for exhibition, unless they have your constant attention. To give them an occasional attendance, or even but once a day, is in itself a suicidal act. As eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, so unremitting attention is the price of success, so far as the Chrysanthemum is concerned. It is a plant that possesses a most voracious appetite, and it requires to be fed with as much regularity, and as much care, as a suckling infant. It is dainty in its food, and it is a gourmand as well as a gourmet. It requires plenty to eat and drink, and of the very best the market affords. It must be fed upon the very best soils, manures, etc., and its drink must not be alone " the crystal well," but rich liquids and plenty of them, and withal, like the human system, it must breathe a sufficient supply of fresh, wholesome, and life- giving air. Proper drainage is an essential requisite, in order to insure that the plants, as is sometimes said of an unfortunate ship, shall not become " water-logged." Cleanliness is next to godliness in the plant, as well as in the man, and therefore the intelligent grower will see to it that his plants have a clean habi- tation. ]Srever use a dirty pot. The pots, or the long boxes in ■which the plants may be raised, should be perfectly clean. 'Now 36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. this, on the surface, appears to be a trivial matter, but in reality- much depends upon it. Test it, and you will find that in turn- ing plants out of pots that were dirty when used, the roots cling so tenaciously to the sides that many are broken in the act of removing them. This does not occur if the pots are clean, but the plants may be shifted with their roots intact, and will not undergo the slightest check from the operation. In the cultivation of the Chrysanthemum do not attempt too many varieties : " The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel ; But do not dull thy palm Avith entertainment Of each new-hatch'd, unfledg'd comrade." •An eminent English authority said on this matter of novel- ties, ^' I venture to say that quite three parts of the new sorts sent out in such glowing terms are not equal in merit to many of the older varieties. No little disappointment has been caused by purchasing all the new varieties, which were expected to produce wonderful flowers. Instead of this it has often been found that time and space have not been well occupied in grow- ing them. Far better is it to grow an extra number of plants of those varieties which experience has proved can be depended upon as certain producers of first-class flowers under first-class culture, than for a grower with limited experience, money, and space to overburden himself with so-called ' novelties.' " • Every grower of the Chrysanthemum is well aware that it has a tendency to " sport ; " that is, a plant that has always yielded flowers of a certain color produces others of a different hue — yellow, for instance, giving out bronze or orauge. There are instances when the whole of a plant will thus throw different colored blossoms, but as a rule they are only to be found on one branch. Many of these " sports " when " fixed " are improve- ments upon older kinds. Cuttings taken from the branch or part of the plant which " sports " will usually produce flowers of the same color again. If they and the plants raised in turn from them continue to do so, and the departure becomes a permanency, the sport is said to be '' fixed ; " and if this fresh break is of a new or desirable hue and character, or in any manner an improve- ment upon existing forms, it receives a name, is propagated, and introduced into the market. There are occasions, however, when THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 37 a sport will sooner or later revert to the original color, and, as a matter of course, it becomes worthless. There is no earthly reason why a new variet}" obtained from a sport is not, to the full, as good as one obtained from seed. Many forms of the incurved class have been procured in this manner. It may be said that the general system of growing Chrysanthemums for the sole production of large blooms is not favorable for increasing the nu.mber of new varieties by sports, on the ground that the plants are denuded of the side shoots as they grow, and it is from these very side shoots, when they are permitted to develop themselves into flowers, that the largest number of sports are obtained. In the Japanese class the fewest sports are found. With scarcely an exception all sports are the counterparts, in foliage and habit, of their parents ; and there cannot be the least doubt that some of them possess better con- stitutions and produce finer flowers than their originals, or that they are, in some respects, improvements upon their parents. The Seedling Chrysanthemum is not " like angels' visits, few and far between," but on the contrary, it is the rule and not the exception. Save a comparatively small number of sports, all the varieties of the Chrysanthemum that are in cultivation have been raised from seed at one period or another ; and it is of course only in this manner that really new and distinct kinds are to be obtained. It is regarded as a curious fact that in England, where the growing of the flower is second only to that of China and Japan, for many years past, and until quite recently, few, if indeed any, attempts have been made to raise new seedling plants, although in the early days of its cultivation a number of what were then considered remarkably fine varieties were obtained from seed. Owing to the damp and unfavorable conditions of the English autumns, so much difficulty was experi- enced in ripening the seeds that the attempt was relinquished, and nearly all the novelties displayed in that country were obtained from raisers in Japan and France, with a few from the islands of Jersey and Guernsey ; and the confession is made that In recent years, we Americans have taken up the industry with such great zeal and energy that we have supplied to the mother- country several hundred of more or less fine and valuable intro- ductions with stronger constitutions, thus enabling seed of the Chrysanthemum to be again grown in England. 38 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Within the last three or four years fresh attempts have been made in this direction in England, and they have not only resulted in some really surprising successes, but they have demonstrated the fact that in the damp, smoky, and humid climate of Eugland,- well ripened seed can be produced with considerable certainty from American varieties, and that such seed, if saved with care, will afford a large proportion of varieties fully the equals, and in many respects the superiors, to the bulk of those imported from other countries. In the raising of plants beware of their enemies. That they have enemies is beyond all question. Chief of these are damp- ness and pestiferous insects. The first is easily overcome by the simple application of moderate heat constantly passing over and around the plants ; but the second is not so readily vanquished, especially if permitted to become numerous upon the plants. Then it is that " Diseases desperate grown, By desperate appliance are relieved, or not at all." The one great disease to which the Chrysanthemum is liable is mildew. It appears in the form of a white, woolly-looking growth, mostly on the under sides of the leaves. In its nature it is a fungus, and in a close atmosphere it spreads rapidly, and sadly impairs the functions of the foliage. The simplest and it may be the best remedy is sulphur, and if this is applied in time it will generally check, if not immediately cure, an attack. One of the best qualities which this flower possesses is the long time the blooms remain fresh, either growing on the plants or in a cut state ; still, greatly to the disappointment of many growers for exhibition, they ofttimes fail to keep long enough ; and thus a large number of fine blooms are rendered useless through the too early development of some of the varieties. As to the cut blooms intended for exhibition, there is in reality no royal road to success with regard to their perfect preservation for a greater or less period. Much of this success will depend on good luck and the state in which the blooms were when cut from the plants ; and if they should remain in such complete condition as to gain you the prize at the exhibition, thank the blind god- dess Fortune therefor. It is an undisputed fact that there is uuich misunderstanding THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 39' among growers of the Chrysanthemum, as to what qualities do in reality constitute a good bloom. Size is the first object a culti- vator has in view, but this in itself is not enough, and must be accompanied by other good points before the flower can take rank as a first-class specimen. These several points or qualities may be 'set down as size, depth, solidity, breadth of petals, form, finish of flower and foliage, freshness, and most certainly color. I do not know as there is any absolute size to which the various classes of the Chrysanthemum may be grown at the present day, or to what perfection it may attain in the future ; but this I feel Avell assured of — given the qualifications of depth, solidity, breadth of petal, form, finish, freshness, and color, then the larger the size to which you can bring it, the greater the pros- pect of carrying off the much coveted prize. Here permit me to say that the rage for this unquestioned and unquestionably charming flower being still on the increase and its capabilities to all appearances being inexhaustible, a most inviting and remunerative field is opened up for the energies of all those who have the means, time, and patience to embark in its culture. The folklore of the Chrysanthemum is very limited, and is confined to China and Japan. In the former country there is a proverbial rhyme connected with it, which may be translated as follows : " In the second month the Peach tree blooms, But not until the ninth the Chrysanthemums ; So each must wait till his own time comes," which, as I take it, is a somewhat refined way of saying " every dog has his day," and so the charming English poet, Henry Kirk White, sings : " Say, what retards, amid the summer's blaze, The autumnal flower, till pale declining days ? The God of Seasons, whose pervading poAver Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower ; He bids each flower His quickening word obey, Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay." The Japanese have a fancy that the dewy juices in the heart of the Chrysanthemum are the " Elixir of Life." The poets, in a great measure, have paid little if any attention 40 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. to the Chrysanthemum, but appear to have expended nearly all their genius on the well-deserving rose, and other flowers. Here is a translation of a poem, by Satoni Sensei, a native Japanese : " 0 bloom of Chrysantheraum , Fabled of old, A fountain of rapture And sweetness untold — The dewy wine sparkled With life in its flame, And mortals partaking Immortal became. But lo ! There hath opened A wonderful flower, For God's love hath blossomed — Soul life in its dower, And its petals shall shine More endearing than thine, With their fabulous treasures of life-giving wine, — Far fairyland's store, — And its dewdrops shall glow. And its fragrance shall grow From more unto more While the years come and go." We are indebted to Dr. Walcott, of Cambridge, and Mr. W. K. Harris, of Philadelphia, who were pioneers in fertilization of the flowers in this country, for varieties which they have produced. They were instrumental in creating a wide interest in the flow- ers. Later Mr. Thomas H. Spaulding, of New Jersey, and Mr. E. G. Hill, of Richmond, Indiana, took up the cultivation. There is one thing to which I wish to call the special attention of your Society, that it may, I trust, be abandoned : it is the un- sightly staking of Chrysanthemum plants with willow and other stakes, reminding one of a cripple supported on crutches. Thej' have neither grace, finish, nor even presentable foliage, or flowers with either form or coloring. If judged by a correct standard of coloring and finish or foliage, all would be condemned, and rele- gated to the rear. While the late exhibit showed wonderful specimens of single flowers, the plant exhibit was anything but creditable as compared with the cut blooms. I trust that the coming season plants will be judged by a standard of blooms, b}" finish and luxuriance of foliage, by the form and color of bloom, THE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 41 and that the plant shall exhibit only its flowers and foliage, and not a forest of unsightly sticks supporting a weak stem with little or no foliage, and colorless flowers. I agree with the writer who said the nomenclature of the Chrysanthemum has not been much improved. Nearly all the names are of private persons, which, of course, to the great mass of people are as arbitrary and meaningless as " S.T.1860X," or any other cabalistic combination, and yet there is always the possibility in the case of every variety of Chrysanthemum of a perfectly happy and descriptive name. Here is a certain Chrysanthemum, for instance, with a great many riotous, rollicking red flowers growing upon it, scattering themselves about in a perfectly drunken way. There is one name that suggests itself instantly in connection with this flower : it ought to be called the Tam o' Shanter. Every bloom suggests the intoxicated Scotchman look- ing back in terror at the pursuing fiends. But what is the flower Jiamed ? J. Collins. Tom Collins would have been better. The first Chrysanthemum exhibit for prizes in this country "was made at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Exhi- bition in 1861, and the prizes amounted to $17. In 1868 the exhibition was first styled the Chrysanthemum Show, and the prizes were increased to $55 ; this exhibition was an entire fail- ure. Up to 1868 these shows were on Saturdays, from 12 to 3 P.M., but in 1879 it was held on Wednesday, from 12 M. to 10 P.M. In 1882 the prizes amounted to $121. Though planned for one day, it was kept open two days on account of the excel- lence of the exhibit and the interest taken therein. It con- tinued in this manner each year i;ntil 1886. The prizes were increased, and in 1887 amounted to $741, and in 1896 to $1,200, the exhibit lasting nearly the entire week. It will be observed that interest in the Chrysanthemum has steadily increased year after year until the last season, when the Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society exceeded all previous ones in beauty, size, finish, and coloring of the flowers — and even surpassed the expectation of the most ardent admirer of the beautiful Queen of Autumn, excelling all exhibits in the United States, and, it is believed, not outdone in any part of the world. In the attainment of this grand result, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society can justly take a large share of credit, with its encouraging, generous spirit toward exhibitors, entries being 42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUEAL, SOCIETY. free to all. Boston may well feel a just pride in the efforts of the growers who have made it possible to give to us such a regal show as they did the past season. To the public a debt of gratitude is also due. Nowhere in the world do the people pay, and willingly, so high a price for a fine Chrysanthemum as the residents of the great and good old city of Boston. It is these elements that contribute to bring about such grand results, which Avould be impossible but for them. In drawing to a close, permit me to say that I regard the future of the Chrysanthemum as assured. The advances made in its improvement have added greatly to the grace and beauty of the liower, and popularized it until it has won a permanent abiding place in all hearts. It will, indeed, be a bold flower which will be able to disj)lace it, or even disturb its queenly hold upon us. The public, in time to come, will undoubtedly require, for the embellishment of the home, flowers of a smaller type, but of equal finish and color with the larger and more regal varieties, yet both Avill hold their proper place, and will equally delight and gratify our taste for this most attractive flower. At the present time we stand simply on the threshold of its future, great as its advance has been in the past decade only. We have a right to anticipate those improvements which techni- cal schools of chemistry, electricity, and kindred science are sure to bring. There should be no hesitancy in pressing on. The goal of ultimate success is already in view, and when that is reached there can be no further doubt of the established value of the Chrysanthemum in a mercantile sense, while sesthetically in bringing it to its highest pitch of perfection and beauty you will have succeeded in making it a joy forever. Discussion. Kennetli Finlayson asked. How can we bring specimens here without staking ? Mr. Wood answered, By almost any method but that used here- tofore ; they can be trained to wire supports. Mr. Finlayson Still thought that they could not be brought here without staking. Mr. Wood thought that wire frames would be effectual, but he had not looked into the subject. PLANT BEAUTY. 43^ Thomas Harrison spoke of training the plants in a pyramidal form. In regard to the application of sulphnr, Mr. Wood spoke of using it, sometimes directly and sometimes on steam-pipes. Mr. Finlayson inquired of Mr. Wood whether he used any particular fertilizer. The answer was that he had not tested all, but uses sheep compost, compost from horned cattle, sulphate of ammonia, and nitrate of soda. MEETING EOR LECTURE AND DISCUSSION. Saturday, January 30, 1897. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the chair. The following is an abstract of the lecture given : Plant Beauty. By Henry T. Bailey, MaesachusettB State SuperviBor of Drawing, Scituate. There are different kinds of love for flowers. There is the scientific love ; those who have only this seldom get the true message of the flowers. At the other extreme are people having a sentimental love for flowers ; they pronounce their colors mar- vellous, and gush indiscriminately over their beauty. The third kind of love for flowers has a basis of intelligent appreciation* The greatest enjoyment is when scientific love is combined with a sympathetic appreciation of beaut3^ Plant beauty is of two sorts, beauty of color and beauty of form. In some plants, like the calla, beauty of form predomi- nates ; in others, like the pseony, beauty of color ; in still others, like the gladiolus, the lines of stalk, flower, and bud are as noticeably lovely as their colors. In the rose we have beauty both of form and color. Plants conspicuously beautiful for their form should not be gathered together in tight bouquets ; each should be enjoyed by itself or with two or three companions so grouped in a vase or other receptacle that the beauty of the lines of each is enhanced by that of the others. Plants of lovely color, on the other hand, are more effective when massed. One snowball is insignificant ; a bushel basket full of branches crowded 44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. with the balls of creani}^ white glowing against the rich green of their foliage is highly effective. In the arrangement of flowers of beautiful form, we have much to learn from the Japanese. The " Studio " for October and December, 1896, has suggestive articles, with more suggestive illustrations, of the fine art of flower arrangement as practised by the floral artists of the Sun- rise Kingdom. Mr. Conder's book, " The Flowers of Japan and the Art of Moral Arrangement," to be found in the Library of this Society, will repay thoughtful study. Even the suggestions from Japanese prints, now so easily obtainable, are not to be despised by the wide-awake florist. The chief element in beauty of form is curvature. Ruskin says there are two kinds of curves, the mortal and the immortal. We love immortal curves — the simple curve of force, the reversed curve of grace, and the spiral. The curve of force is shown in the sky-rocket. Water shot out of a fountain takes the same curve ; so also does the stem of the golden-rod. E-eversed curves and spirals are seen in the unfolding of a fern frond. [These were further illustrated by charts and blackboard sketches.] Another element of beauty is radiation ; either from a centre, as in a snowflake, or from some point outside the centre, as in a palm-leaf fan. The effect may be bi-symmetrical, as in a scallop shell, or balanced, as in a begonia leaf. Our fathers preferred the bi-symmetrical arrangement. It appeared in the little tight headed bouquets brought to church, and in all manner of decoration. It was even supposed that houses must be bi-symmetrical — that is, that the two sides must not only balance each other, but must be uniform in shape ; and inside the same bi-symmetrical arrangement was thought neces- sary, even to the placing of photographs and vases on the mantel. The arrangement evidently preferred by nature is that of bal- ance. This is illustrated by a leaf where the portion on one side of the mid-rib is smaller than the other, and perfect balance is secured by the curvature of the mid-rib and stem to the needy side. The Arethusa poised on its stem is another fine illustra- tion. Balance may be seen illustrated in the lines of the hand. It controls the position of the leaflets of the rose and sumach. The Maine woodsmen know that trees are so balanced that if but an inch of wood is left under the centre the tree will stand. A stem of grass shows the balance of parts which make it self-sup- PLANT BEAUTY. 45 porting. The grouping of plants or sprays is to be governed by the law of balance. Beautiful color has such qualities as purity, gradation, and depth, and when colored flowers are massed, harmonious relations of the different hues should be secured. All color comes from the sun. The standard colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The first quality in color is purity. Color must not be muddy, as is often seen in novel varieties of pansies. There are five typical color groups or harmonies. The first may be called a contrasted harmony. All green-leaved plants with white flowers are in this group. The second is dominant harmony, produced by combining tints and shades of one color, as, for example, a head of hyacinths or a bunch of double violet asters with no green foliage in sight. This combination of tints and shades, so common in the decorative arts and in dress goods, is rarely found in nature, and is least satisfactory as a harmony. The third is analogous harmony, composed of related hues of color. All green-leaved plants with yellow flowers are in this group. A bunch of gladioli tinted with violet-red, crimson, rose, scarlet, and salmon forms an analogous harmony of exquisite beauty. The fourth is complementary harmony — a harmony brought about by the juxtaposition of complementary colors. A violet red camellia seen against its glossy green leaves is a com- plementary harmony; so, also, is a bunch of violets with their yellow-green leaves. Another beautiful example is the marsh St. John's-wort, the leaves of which are green-blue, with a thick bloom, while the flowers are an orange tint, thus giving two complementary colors. The rocks at the seashore are in the orange scale, and the water being in effect a green-blue we have complementary harmony. Inland the rocks are covered with lichens of gray color, to contrast with the grass. The crags of the Alps are orange, from the orange-colored lichens growing there, making a tone complementary to the color of the sky. Such facts seem to prove that the Almighty who made these colors loves harmony. " He hath made everything beautiful in its time." The fifth is perfected harmony : a color group composed of analogous hues combined with a color complementary to the general effect of all the group. For example, the gladioli form- 46 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ing an analogous harmony if placed against a background of old ampelopsis leaves, of rich, bluish-green color, would be greatly- enhanced in color effect, and the whole would form a perfected harmony. A bowl full of pansies is in perfected harmony. The analogous group runs through varying hues, from pure yellow in the flower centres to the yellowish-green of the foliage. The complementary to the effect of this group is to be seen in the rich purple of the petals. [Charts, diagrams, and bouquets of flowers were used to make this clear. The complementary and analogous colors were illustrated by means of the Bradley color wheel] The American people are becoming more sensitive to beau.ty every year. The florists who furnish flowers to decorate their homes and halls can do much to elevate public taste. A really beautiful thing is always attractive. What was true for Emer- son is true for us all. Speaking of beauty he said : " When first my eyes saw thee I found me thy thrall." It costs no more to make a beautiful bouquet than to make an ugly one, and ultimately he who produces beauty gives the greater pleasure and receives the larger reward. MEETING FOR LECTUEE AND DISCUSSIOK Saturday, February 13, 1897. A meeting for Lecture and Discussion was holden today at eleven o'clock, the President, Francis H. Appleton, in the