FLOWERS.

The Committee on Flowers report that the exhibition of plants and flowers was highly satisfactory, and the favorable comments by the numerous visitors were good evidence that this department of the exhibition was highly appreciated.

The display of pot plants from the greenhouses of John Wooldredge, Esq., of Lynn, was undoubtedly the best the society have had. To enumerate them would require more time and space than can be expected. The plants were well grown and reflected great credit on the gardener, Mr. C. M. Callahan. The collection consisted of specimens of Palms, Dracœnas, Ferns, Caladiums, and other choice plants. The handsomest pot plant came from the same place; also, the best variegated leaved plant; the first, a good specimen of Clerodendron Balfourii, a beautiful climbing plant, the flowers being white with scarlet centre; the second a very nice specimen of Cissus Discolor, a most beautiful climber, the leaves being very richly colored.

The collection of William Miller, of Swampscott, contained some nice specimens of Agaves, Begonias, and other choice plants, and although the collection was smaller than that of Mr. Wooldredge, they well merited the second prize.

The parlor and hand bouquets were very handsomely made; they were all that could be expected, the flowers were choice and the arrangement very tasty.

The Floral designs showed excellent taste in the arrangement, and either one would have been a handsome adornment for any room. The one from Mr. Halliday, which received the first prize, was unusually good and reflected great credit on the exhibitor.

The Dahlias were all good, and it is a great satisfaction to see this old flower again brought into so prominent a place among our fall flowers; they well deserve a place in every garden. The twelve Bouquet Dahlias from Mr. J. F. Marble, of Lynn, were as good as ever have been shown, and the exhibitor deserves great credit for the care he has taken in the king of on chain

The Gladiolius were also unusually good; the twelve from John Wooldredge were very fine indeed. The ease with which they are cultivated make them a valuable addition to every garden, and by planting a few bulbs every week from May to July a succession of bloom may be had the whole season.

Petunias and Verbenas, there were none worthy of special mention, but we venture here a suggestion; that instead of a prize for the best twelve flowers of either, it should be for the best twenty-four bottles in bunches of three in a bottle, the prize to remain the same, $1. They are easily cultivated, and there would be no difficulty in getting that amount of bottles well filled.

Pansies, it is too late in the season to expect even a fair display.

Native flowers, the display by Miss Julia Tracey, was an unusually good one; they were very neatly arranged and all plainly and correctly named, and afforded the lover of our native flowers an opportunity seldom offered to become acquainted with the names of what are often seen, and seldom known only as wild flowers. It was a rich treat, and we think we are safe in saying, was highly appreciated, but the premium of $2 is entirely inadequate for any collection like the one just mentioned. What we say of Native Flowers will apply equally to the splendid collection of Native Fruits from Miss Susie Tracey. There were fifty varieties, and your Chairman does not remember of ever seeing that number together at any exhibition. Too little attention paid to the study of our native plants, and we trust that the exhibition of the Misses Tracey may stimulate others to take up this very interesting study. Our whole county is rich in native flowers and ferns, and what way could the spare time of our young ladies and gentlemen be better spent? Let us hope many may try it.

Zinnias, Mr. J. J. H. Gregory was the successful competitor, with twelve very nice flowers in a good variety. This is one of the best annuals and deserves a place in every garden. Coxcombs were very fine. W. C. McFoot was the successful competitor.

Drummond Phlox, Marigolds, Sweet Peas, Candytuft, Stocks, Balsams, Nasturtiums and Antirrhinums are all useful annuals, and there were some nice varieties exhibited, but the prize of $1 for the twelve single flowers of each, is altogether too much for flowers so easily grown, and we suggest a change in offering the prizes for such flowers.

There were a few plants exhibited that were not in the collections-a very nice little specimen of the Date Palm, Phoenix Dactilifera, from Mrs. Lucy J. Spiller, a fine sweet-scented geranium from C. D. Clapp, a nice box of Lycopodium Denticulatum from James Teel, a very pretty fernery from Mrs. J. Cheever, and a handsome Wardian case filled in a very tasty manner by John Williams of Swampscott.

There were numerous designs and bouquets which added to the appearnace of the Hall, and although they could not all receive a premium, gratuities were awarded in every case where they could be worthily bestowed.

It is a great satisfaction to notice a growing interest in the cultivation of plants and flowers. Washington once said that Agriculture is the most healthful, the most useful and noble employment of man, and certainly Horticulture is akin to it, and whoever engages in the cultivation of flowers cannot but feel a more refining influence on their lives by so doing, and we trust that the society will offer every possible inducement to engage in the cultivation of plants and flowers, and in closing this report we would suggest the propriety of printing in the Transactions of the Society each year, a short, practical essay on the cultivation of our most popular and useful flowers, with lists of the same, so as to make them a sort of guide to those who desire to engage in so noble and elevating a project.

display of Sweet Peas,
varieties of Candytuft,
twelve pot Marigolds,

For the best twelve large Dahlias,

display Pansies,

twelve Verbenas,

display Native Flowers,
twelve Double Zinnias,
66 Coxcombs,

display Drummond Phlox, 1 "Mrs. M. P. Guild. twelve African Marigolds, 1" Clara M. Nichols.

Bouquet Dahlias,

1" Clara M. Nichols.

35

66

66

"mix'd Eternal Flow's, 1" Mrs. Plumstead. handsomest Pot Plant,

1" John Wooldredge.

best Variegated Leaved Plant, 1"

66

For the largest and best display from one individual, first premium, one copy" Birds of New England," to John Wooldredge. For the second best display, $3, to William Miller.

The Committee on Vegetables report the whole number of exhibitors in this department of our late fair, at Lynn, was sixty-six, from about twenty-four different towns and cities, their contributions being as follows: