The Spring Exhibition of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which opened March 19th and continued until Friday the 20th, was without question the best ever held in Boston; and in fact in no other part of the country has such a varied and rare lot of spring flowers been gathered together in one hall for exhibition. Outside, the temperature was continuously below freezing, and had it not been for this fact, the hall would have failed to hold all the exhibits which were promised. About ten thousand persons visited the show, and the crowd was so great that on several occasions admission was denied to those in waiting, until the hall could be cleared. At the entrance of the hall was a stand of forced Roses and Azaleas from Mrs. Francis B. Hayes, the central specimen being Rhododendron Veitchianum laevigatum with great fragrant flowers of the purest white. Among the Roses was a fine plant of Paul Neron with flowers of extraordinary size. Next to this stand was a low platform 55 feet long and 6 feet wide with an elevated center devoted mainly to spring flowering bulbs, the display of which was far superior to any ever made before, and next to the Orchids constituted the glory of the show.

Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, Jonquils, Crocuses, Anemone Coronaria, Lilies of the Valley, were shown in the finest specimens of the newest varieties, and in bewildering profusion like the most brilliant bed in the flower garden filled with the choicest selection of plants. Besides the bulbs there were graceful and delicate Heaths, fragrant Violets in pots, Primulas and Pansies growing on the plants, far more attractive than the cut flowers in flat dishes.

The most notable Narcissus was the new "Sir Watkin " a gigantic form of incomparabilis. This and Poeticus ornatus attracted much attention, together with the Tenby Daffodil or N. obvallaris. The latter is a compact and beautiful Narcissus. All were shown by Edward L. Beard, who also had a lot of Cyclamen, the finest type ever shown, of compact habit, brilliant colors, and bearing immense flowers. On this center platform were grouped not less than a thousand pots of every conceivable form of spring flowers, forming a sight long to be remembered when once seen. At the end of the hall, grouped upon the platform with a backing of tall palms, ferns, etc, were the Orchid collections embracing about 100 plants, many of them unique specimens. F. L. Ames, of No. Easton, exhibited Dendrobium Ainsworthii with over 150 flowers, Phalaenopsis Brymerianum P. Stuartiana, Cattleya Amethystoglossa, Dendro-bium Brymerianum; several magnificent plants of Odontoglossum Alexandrae and Pescatorei. One of the latter bearing sixty flowers on one spike. Dendrobium Wardianum album, besides several huge plants of the type, Odontoglossum triumphansi with an unequalled spike of bloom, and many others of rare quality and large size.

H. H. Hunnewell exhibited a plant of Coelogyne cristata, Chatsworth var., 3 feet across and a sheet of flowers. Phalsenopsis Schilleriana, several extra good varieties of this being shown, one plant with about 75 flowers open. Cymbidium Lowi, Odontoglossum Insleayi, Calanthe Turneri; a fine plant of Dendrobium Wardianum, Sophronites grandiflora, besides numbers of others. David Allan, gardener to R. M. Pratt, exhibited about a dozen grand plants of Dendrobium Wardianum, most of them bearing from forty to sixty flowers. He also displayed a plant of Dendrobium Ainsworthii, well bloomed, and one of the finest plants of Cypripedium insigne ever put on exhibition. It was about 4 feet across. All of the Orchids were interspersed with Ferns, brilliant Anthuriums constituting a display rarely witnessed. A gratifying feature of the exhibition was the award of the Society's silver medal to F. L. Harris, gardener to H. H. Hunnewell, David Allan, and W. A. Robinson, gardener to F. L. Ames, for skilful culture of Orchids. The Botanic garden at Cambridge, through W. A. Manda, its gardener, exhibited forced herbaceous plants including Lilium tenuifolium, Primula Cor-tusoides, Trillium grandiflorum and Doronicum Caucasicum, the latter very bright, and showy.

Jackson Dawson of the Arnold Arboretum showed fine and well-bloomed plants of Hybrid Perpetual Roses on the Japanese stock and an interesting collection of hardy Primulas and Polyanthus in pots, besides forced Kalmia latifolia. John B. Moore took the first prize for 24 cut blooms of Hybrid Perpetual Roses, which were even finer than his magnificent June flowers, which for three years have taken the challenge vase. A magnificent bloom of White Baroness took the first prize for single bloom. This promises to be a finer rose than the Merveille de Lyon.

The Pansies in pots and also cut blooms from Denys Zirngeibel attracted much attention, the strain being one of the best in the country. Cut Carnations were handsomely shown, J. A. Foster having a fine lot including seedlings shown naturally with their foliage. Tea Roses and Hybrid perpetual Roses were staged in great profusion, Delay & Meade taking a number of prizes for tender varieties. The major portion of the prizes for for Hyacinths were taken by C. M. Hovey, C. H. Hovey & Co., and John L. Gardner. The latter represented by that veteran, C. M. Atkinson, took first prize for 12 with the following - La Tour d' Avergne, Laurens Koster, Princess Dagmar, Obelisque, Sir John Lawrence, Snowball, Charles Dickens, Alba Maxima, Argus, L' incomparable, La Grandosse, Czar Peter. The first prize for six Hyacinths was first awarded to E. L. Beard who was subsequently disqualified on account of duplicates, and then awarded to C. M. Hovey. The best single spike was Czar Peter shown by C. H. Hovey & Co. The first prize for the best display of hardy Narcissi was given to E. L. Beard, and the three prizes for best general display of spring bulbs went respectively to C. M. Hovey, C. H. Hovey & Co., and E. L. Beard. Last but not least were the Azaleas where the veteran Marshall P. Wilder and Arthur W. Blake, a new contributor, divided the honors, Mr. Wilder filling a platform with fine large old specimens, and Mr. Blake contributing a collection of young plants of the newest varieties, among which La Flambeau was of most intense color.

Had it not been for the intense cold the display in this class would have been grand. Mr. Moore exhibited a plant of the new hybrid perpetual Rose - Col. Felix Breton. This is the darkest Rose ever shown of good habit, promising well for freedom of bloom and very fragrant. It was awarded a certificate of merit. These exhibitions have grown so, both as to the number of visitors and exhibitors, that the society finds its facilities severely taxed. An indication of this may be noted from the fact that more people visited the spring exhibition this year, than during the entire five years previous to 1883, with exception of the year when the Pomo-logical Society held its ression here.

The meeting on December 14th, though including the usual wide range of exhibits, was emphatically the Chrysanthemum Show. A correspondent kindly furnishes us with a list of the persons who obtained the premiums, but unfortunately there are few details that are likely to be of more general interest. In Dr. Walcott's collection there appears to have been seventy-five distinct varieties; in E. A. Wood's, sixty-nine; in Col. Wilder's, fifty four; from which it would appear that a great number of varieties are grown in collections about Boston. La Charmeuse is given as the name of the variety that obtained the premium as the best single specimen of a Japanese variety.

The only description of the exhibits as furnished to us is, that the plants were "remarkably fine," "most excellent," and "more magnificent than ever before." The foreign grapes exhibited were "fine," and the pears were "fine," while some Northern Spy and Tompkins County King apples were "excellent." The celery had "fine roots," while the large potatoes on exhibition came from the use of somebody's "patent fertilizer." Unfortunately for our readers we fear these terms will have no very precise meaning, and we have to regret, that it is all we can give of what appears to have been a grand and very useful exhibition.

Special Premuims Of The Massachusetts Horticultural Society

In your magazine for February, commenting on the Prize Schedule of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, you refer to the rule recently passed that no premium shall be awarded at any exhibition except those authorized by the Society, and question its wisdom. The rule is simply to prevent the offering of prizes by tradesmen who seek to advertise some especial novelty in this way, and to put an obstacle in the way of having the exhibitions used for advertising purposes. The various awarding committees have the authority to award gratuities at any exhibition to any worthy exhibit which does not compete for a stated prize named in the schedule, and this has been the custom for years. Quite a large sum is expended in this way each year, at the discretion of the committees, so you will see that the Society accomplishes just what you consider to be the proper method. Naturally the Society has had the benefit of long experience as to the best manner of making awards, and its system is unquestionably the wisest and most equitable of any adopted by similar Societies in this country.

[This puts the matter in a very different light. The Society is undoubtedly right in regard to these "special" premiums. The misunderstanding arose from the Society calling "gratuities" what the Pennsylvania Society calls "special premiums." What in Boston are called special premiums are "trade premiums" here. - Ed. G. M].

We are indebted to the able Secretary of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Mr. Robt. Manning, for the transactions for the past year. They have been for some time on our table waiting this acknowledgment. The essays and discussions at the monthly meetings are given in full. A copy of this work makes membership in this Society a great privilege.

At the recent annual meeting for the election for officers, Dr. Henry P. Wallcott was elected President for the ensuing year.

Judging by a newspaper slip kindly sent to us by the Secretary, the fifty-seventh annual meeting must have been one of the most successful. The list of premiums awarded alone occupies nearly two columns of the newspaper Among the peculiarities of general interest we note the common names of some rare greenhouse plants. The Devil flower is Alaeria cristata. Baby flower is Odonto-glossum grande, the lip looking like a young child; and the Dove plant, Peristeria elata. These are Orchids from Mr. Ames' collection. Two new foliage plants, Croton chelsoni, and Alocasia Sanderiana, are produced, desirable aside from their being novelties. They were from David Allan, gardener to R. M. Pratt. The same gentleman had a magnificent collection of hothouse grapes, among which a white Syrian weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz., and an Alnwick seedling 5 lbs. 5½ oz. In the collection of miscellaneous cut flowers, the number is 1 mited to 100 kinds in bottles. H. B. Watts had first premium for these, James Cartwright second, and Edwin Sheppard third.

In Dahlias, the premium was awarded to Edwin Sheppard for the best single named variety, but what that variety was, is not stated, nor through the long list of premiums awarded can we glean any information of quality or kinds that would be very instructive to our readers.

In Pears, however, we note that Mr. John Mc-Clure's 12 specimens of Bartlett weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz., 12 from Mrs. Mary Langmaid, 6 lbs. 12¼ oz.; the third premium to N. D. Harrington, 6 lbs. 11½ oz.; fourth to A. S. Mcintosh, 6 lbs. 9 oz. The weights or peculiar excellencies of the exhibits of others are not given.

The annual exhibition of Chrysanthemums by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, on the 12th and 13th of November, was in many respects the most successful ever given in Boston; and that is saying a great deal, as these exhibitions have taken place for years, and do not depend upon a mere fanciful craze among society people for their popularity or completeness. The horticultural taste in Boston is too deep and sincere to be eddied here and there by the whims of fashion, and that is the reason for the unvarying progress and popularity of the Boston Flower Shows. Over ten thousand people attended this exhibition, and had it been kept open another day, not less than 15,000 would have attended. Some of the principal growers did not exhibit, owing to various vicissitudes, among them Marshal P. Wilder and C. M. Atkinson. Last year the latter staged some of the most remarkable specimens of single stem Chrysanthemums ever shown in this country, and it was regretted that he could not compete this year.

The upper hall of the Society, comprising 5.000 square feet, was devoted to Chrysanthemums in pots and the Orchid display; while the lower hall was given over to cut blooms, and fruit and vegetables. Even both of these large halls were inadequate to hold the various collections.

The first prize for the 6 Chinese Chrysanthemums was taken by Dr. H P. Walcott, of Cam bridge, with the following varieties - Mrs. Forsythe, Bruce Finlay, Baron Buest, King of Crimsons, Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Shipman. These were magnificent plants, in twelve-inch pots, grown naturally, the blooms not tied down, and each plant between 4 and 5 feet high, and averaging 5 feet across. The same may be said of all this grower's plants, which were admitted to be the best grown plants ever shown in one lot in this country.

Dr. Walcott was also first for 3 Chinese - Mrs.

Dixon, Christine and Alfred Salter. He was also first for 6 Japanese, with glorious plants of La Charmense, Flambeaux, Nevada, Bouquet Fait, Golden Dragon and President Parkman. For 3 Japanese, Dr. Walcott came first with Fair Maid of Guernsey, Moussillac, and Belle Valantinan.

For 4 pompons, Dr. Walcott was first with Salamon, La Vozne, Mdlle Marthe and Golden Mdlle Marthe. The specimen Chinese Chrysanthemum, Gladstone, offered by Dr. Walcott, took the first prize, and the latter took first prize for specimen Japanese Chrysanthemum, with Fernand Feral.

Dr. Walcott's only competitor in these classes was a new grower, Mr. Edwin Fewkes, of Newton, whose plants, while smaller, were yet well grown and very clean and perfectly flowered. He took all the second prizes for specimens. The first prize lor forty specimens, not less than 10 varieties, was awarded to E. W. Wood, who staged handsome plants of the following - Annis, Bouquet Fait, Citronella, Damio, Dr. Sharpe, Elaine, Fremy, Fair Maid of Guernsey, Golden Circle, Golden George Glenny, Golden Dragon, Gray's Golden Be verly, Mabel Wood, John Salter, Madame B. Rendatler, M. Plauchinan, Mr. Geo. Glenny, Mr. Geo. Rundle, Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Semiramis, Snowball, Souvenir de Mercedes, Seur Melanie, Temple of Solomon, and White Eve.

Edwin Fewkes was second in this class and Patrick Malley third. The first for anemone flowered Chrysanthemum was taken by Dr. Walcott with a grand specimen of Timbale argent. Other collections were shown by Norton Brothers, Hovey & Co., Warren Heustisand Mrs. Francis B. Hayes. Among the collections and specimens many new varieties were shown, the Japanese class predominating.

The display of cut blooms was very large, and hundreds of seedlings were shown. It is evident that while the tendency to grow these is laudable, and should be encouraged, that on the other hand there is a tendency to flood the field with varieties which are not distinct or remarkable. Many named kinds have been placed in commerce, which a year hence will be thrown aside by growers as -worthless. Standing out in marked distinction with the average run of seedlings was a magnificent white reflexed flower shown by Dr. Walcott. This, which was labelled C 10, was considered the finest white seedling ever shown in Boston or anywhere else. It is a perfectly shaped globular flower, with firm strap-shaped petals of such pure color that Elaine looks dusky beside it. The petals reflex in such a way that the flower appears to be globular, and the centre is filled to perfection. The specimen on exhibition measured over 4 inches across. It was awarded a first-class certificate of merit, and was stolen on the last night of the exhibition by some one who no doubt hoped to propagate it from the stem. Dr. Walcott showed blooms of other fine seedlings, notably a yellow and a pink Japanese flower, both very large and promising.

A silver medal was awarded Dr. Walcott for an immense plant of his seedling B 25. This is a small reflexed flower of vigorous habit, but whose chief charm is its intense dark yellow color. It is quite distinct in this respect, and will prove a valuable acquisition. Other fine seedlings of Dr. Walcott, viz., George Walcott, lilac striped, Colorado Yellow and Algonquin Yellow were shown and generally admired. Mr. Fewkes exhibited a group of seedlings, all of good form and color.

A large group of seedlings was shown by Patten & Co., of Salem, most of them inclining to be open eyed, but noticeable for the varying forms and colors, which were pleasing.

J. Lewis Childs staged a good group of cut blooms, and E. M. Allen exhibited a bronzy yellow seedling called Brazen Shield.

In the competition for cut blooms Edwin Fewkes was first, with 12 blooms of Chinese Chrysanthemums. This was a very perfect lot, and were named Isabella Bott, Rival Little Harry, Princess Teck, Barbara, Hereward, Eve, Mr. Corbay, Mabel Ward, St. Patrick, Nil Desperandum, Lady Slade and Mr. Bunn. He was also first for 6 blooms of Chinese, as follows - Lord Wolseley, Guernsey Nugget, Pietro Diaz, Princess of Wales, Mrs. Forsythe, General Slade.

E. Shepard, of Lowell, staged 12 cut blooms of Japanese Chrysanthemums, and took the first prize in this class. The first prize lor 24 sprays of Japanese blooms went to Edwin Fewkes for unexampled specimens of Souvenir de Haarlem, Carmen, Gloire de Toulouse. Album plenum, La Frizure, Daimio, Fulton, President Parkman, Ben d'Or, Beaute de Toulouse, Source d'Or, Bouquet Fait, Dr. Masters, L'Incomparable, Baron de Pradly, Moonlight, Flambeau, Oracle, Boule d"Or, A urore Boreale, Mme. C. Andiguer, M. Paul Fabre, Gloire Rayonnante, Margot.

Mr. Fewkes took first for 24 sprays of Chinese as follows - Faust, Jardin des plantes, Princess Teck. Talford Salter, Souvenir Mercedes, President Sanderson, General Slade, Golden Queen Antonelli, Isabella Bott, Hero of Stoke Newing-ton, Cherub, Hereward, Mr. Bunn, Barbara, Venus, Mr. Corbay, Eve, Jeanne d'Arc, Mrs. Forsythe, Rival Little Harry, Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Geo. Glenny Mabel Ward.

Mr. Fewkes was first for 6 blooms of Japanese - Baron de Prailly, Soleil Levant, J. Delaux, Belle Paule, Chinoiseire, Mrs. C. Cary.

As is always the case, the display of Orchids was large, and crowds surrounded the stage, which was filled with splendid specimens. Fred L. Ames took first prize for 3 orchids, showing Cypri-pedium insigne Maulei, with some 18 flowers Odontoglossum Alexandras, and Vanda Sander-iana, the latter bearing a spike of 7 highly-colored flowers. E. W. Gilmore was second with Oncid. ornithorynchum, 3 feet across, Odontoglossum grande, and a fine specimen of Saccolabium Blumei majus. The third prize for 3orchids was won by F. L. Ames, with Vanda coerulea, Phalasnopsis amabalis, and Cypripedium Spicerianum, the latter with about 15 flowers open. E. W. Gilmore was fourth with Dendrobium formosum giganteum Oncidium variosum and Lycaste Skinneri.

David Allan took first prize for a specimen orchid with Vanda Coerulea, the blue flowered Vanda, bearing two fine spikes. F. L. Ames was second with a glorious specimen of Cypripedium Harrisonianum. W. A. Manda, of the Cambridge Botanic Garden, had a fine lot of orchids and rare greenhouse and hardy plants. Mr. Ames exhibited for the first time Cypripedium tessalatum por-phyreum, a fine hybrid, and Cypripedium Tonson, a species. Both are striking orchids, and received a certificate of merit. There were many other rare orchids on the stage, the whole producing a floral tout ensemble, which cannot easily be described. There were brilliant collections of cut flowers from many other exhibitors, which in this limited report cannot even be alluded to in detail. The fruit display was large and especially good as to pears. Among the latter were Angoulemes, Anjous, Langeliers, Lawrences, Vicars and Winter Nelises.

J. P. Knight exhibited Japanese pears and two seedlings from the same. One of the latter was remarkably beautiful. A dish of Psidium (Guava), which is rarely seen, was shown by Mrs. F. B. Hayes.

The Society has just appropriated $5,800 for prizes for the year of 1886, and its exhibitions for that year are likely to be larger than ever. A not unlikely probability is. that within a year the Society will secure a lot of land on the Back Bay district and erect a light building for large exhibitions, having from ten to fifteen thousand square feet, all on one level. When it is stated that the yearly receipts of the Society for admission to its four great exhibitions, have grown from about $600 in 1882, to over $3,600 in 1885, the necessity for increased accommodation will be appreciated.