CROTONS.- Six named varieties, in not less than twelve-inch pots, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, John L. Gardner CYCAD. Single plant, named, Mrs. Anna D. Wood Second, Elisha S. Converse ORCHIDS.- Six plants, named varieties, in bloom, John L. Gardner Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Twelve plants of Nerine 6.00 5.00 4.00 10.00 8.00 15.00 6 00 . 2.00 30 00 10 00 4.00 3.00 3 00 25 00 classes, distinct varieties, Nathaniel T. Kidder Second, Walter Hunnewell Fourth, H. Fisher Eldredge 60 00 50 00 30.00 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, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, James L. Little Red, six plants grown as above but all of one color and different varieties, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, James L. Little Third, Elisha S. Converse White, Dr. C. G. Weld Second, James L. Little Third, Donald McRea Pink, James L. Little . 8.00 6.00 6 00 5900 4.00 600 5 00 4.00 6 00 Second, Dr. C. G. Weld Third, Elisha S. Converse . 5 00 4.00 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, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney Second, J. W. Howard 45 00 40 00 Six Japanese, distinct named varieties, Mrs. Benjamin P. Cheney 20 00 January 26. Botanic Garden of Harvard University, Angræcum sesqui pedale. Annual Exhibition, September 4 and 5. Mrs. Frederick L. Ames, Sophro Lalia Veitchii. FIRST CLASS CERTIFICATES OF MERIT. March 11. William H. Spooner, Crimson Rambler Rose. May 24. Thomas H. Westwood, New Seedling Canna. July 27. Mrs. Frederick L. Ames, Cypripedium Annie Measures, cross between Cypripedium bellatulum and C. Dayanum. July 27. E. V. R. Thayer, Saintpaulia Ionantha. August 1. William W. Lunt, Cattleya Rex. Annual Exhibition, September 4 and 5. Mrs. Frederick L. Ames, Cypriped ium Miss Ames. (New.) HONORABLE MENTION. October 19. Rea Brothers, Scabiosa Caucasica, variety alba. Hardy per ennial. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS, FOR THE YEAR 1895. By ARTHUR H. FEWKES, CHAIRMAN. The Committee on Flowers have but little to report for the past year that is of exceptional interest, as the displays have differed but little from those of previous years, although as a whole our exhibitions have averaged better than ever before, particularly in the number of exhibits and in the fewer inferior flowers shown. The exhibitions during the early months of the year, though not numerous, were excellent and helped very much to enliven the hall at our weekly meetings. Francis Brown Hayes was the principal exhibitor. The displays of Wild Flowers have been as popular as in previous seasons, and have assumed an importance second to that of no other department in their educational value, and, almost unconsciously it seems, the Society has established a School of Botany, which is quite unique in its way. Nowhere else can the student of that science find such an opportunity for the study of our Native Flora. It has gone beyond a simple matter of local interest, for the reputation of these displays has spread far and wide and there are many who visit our weekly shows purposely to study these exhibits. When we consider the growing importance of this branch, we can but feel the necessity for competent botanists to act as judges. A florist, a gardener, or a horticulturist is not necessarily a botanist, and it seems an injustice to both the exhibitor and the judges, that the Flower Committee should be compelled to judge these displays. The Royal Horticultural Society of England has its Botanical Committee and why can not we also have one? They take charge of all displays of purely botanical interest and are a valuable addition to the Standing Committees of the Society. Such a committee might be entirely independent or act as a division of the regular Flower Committee. The displays of Carnations on February 21 and 22, when the American Carnation Society held their Annual Meeting, should be mentioned, although the exhibition was not one of our own, but belonged to that Society. It was a grand display of this popular flower, making one wish that we might have a repetition of it annually. On March 16, a First Class Certificate of Merit was awarded to Alexander McKay, gardener to David Nevins, for superior cultivation of Hybrid Roses under glass, he having made exhibits of flowers which we have never seen equalled. On the same date First Class Certificates of Merit were awarded to Sewall Fisher of Framingham, for a beautiful white seedling Carnation, named Crystal, and Fred Dorner of Lafayette, Ind., for his white seedling Carnation, Storm King. These two varieties are very promising and are superior to other white varieties in cultivation. SPRING EXHIBITION. MARCH 26, 27, 28, AND 29. At this exhibition the cut flowers were well represented and were a marked improvement over last year. We were pleased to note a revival of interest in forced Hybrid Roses, which were almost entirely absent from our last Spring Show. There was also more interest shown in the Tea Roses, of which there were excellent examples of several varieties. Carnations are always well represented at this show and are destined to be one of the leading features of it if they receive the encouragement due so beautiful a flower. The display of Violets was quite remarkable, particularly the flowers shown by David Nevins (Alexander McKay gardener), which were the largest we have ever had the pleasure of examining. The Antirrhinum is making a place for itself as a winter flower and attracted much attention. James Comley made a very beautiful display with forced flowers of a form of Clematis montana which he raised from seed collected in Japan. If this form proves hardy in this latitude it will be a grand addition to our hardy vines. MAY EXHIBITION. MAY 4. The displays of flowers at this exhibition were not extensive but were mostly good. Tulips were very poorly shown and there was but one exhibitor of Herbaceous Plants. William Nicholson showed remarkably fine Carnation flowers and as he has made numerous displays of equal quality, we awarded him a First Class Certificate of Merit, for superior cultivation of the Carnation. From the May Show to the Rhododendron Show the exhibitions were of the usual excellence. On June 1, First Class Certificates of Merit were awarded to James Comley for a Seedling Rhododendron and Thomas C. Thurlow for Symplocos Japonica. RHODODENDRON SHOW. JUNE 6 AND 7. This, as usual, was one of our most beautiful exhibitions. The displays of Hardy Rhododendrons were particularly interesting, for they were specimens of the varieties which, with proper care, may be planted out with reasonable certainty that they will live from year to year. Following is a list of varieties which stood the unusually severe winter of 1894-5 on the grounds of Mr. H. H. Hunnewell; also |