TRANSACTIONS OF THE :FOR rrHE YEAR 1909 PART II BOSTON PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TEX MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTL'RAL SOCIETY 1909 The Transactions of the Society are issued annually in two parts under the direction of the Committee on Lectures aud Publications. Communications relating to the objects of the Society, its publi­ cations, exhibitions, and membership, may be addressed to ·william P. Rich, Secretary, Horticultural Hall, No. 300 l\Iassachusetts A Yenue, Boston, l\Iassachusetts. WILLIA::\! J. STEWART, Chafrman Committee ,JOHN A. PETTIGREW on \YILLIAl\I P. RICH Lectures and ::.\I1ss l\faRY L. WARE Publications PROF. F. A. WAUGH COXTENTS. AX:'\CAL REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1909 Report of the Board of Trustees 157 Report of the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions 165 Report of the Committee on Plants and FlmYers 167 Report of the Committee on Fruits . 209 Report of the Committee on Vegetables 227 Report of the Committee on Gardens 237 Report of the Committee on Children's Gardens 251 Report of the Delegate to the State Board of Agricul- ture 25.j Report of the Committee on Lectures and Publications 259 Report of the Secretary and Librarian 261 Report of the Treasurer 267 THE ANNUAL :\lEETIXG, �OVK\IBER 13, 1909 275 XECROLOGY, 1909 279 OFFICERS, Cm.nIITTEES, AXD :\IEl\IBERS, 1909 287 153 A�NUAL REPORTS FOR THE YEAR 1909. 7 I_ LU I- � 0) 0 0) �0 ::r: TRANSACTIONS OF THE 1909, PART II. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1909. The Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in compliance with the By-laws presents herewith a sum­ mary of the business transacted during the year 1909. There have been held six meetings with an average attendance of eight members. January 2. Appropriations for the current year were made as follows: For the Library, $400.00, in addition to the income of the French and Farlow Funds. For the Lectures, $300.00, to include the income of the John Lewis Russell Fund. For Medals, a sum not exceeding $100.00. The completed Schedule of Prizes and Exhibitions for the year 1909 was reported by the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions, through its Chairman, Mr. Farquhar, and it was voted to approve the same and to order its publication. l\:Ir. Farquhar presented also reports in writing in answer to the communications received at the last meeting from Messrs. W. W. 157 158 �L-\SS_-\CHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Rawson & Co., .,Julius Heurlin, and ::.\I. H. ·walsh which were referred for reply to the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions. The reports were as follmvs: Report of Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions on letter of )Iessrs. W. W. Rawson & Co. \Yith regard to the letter of l\Iessrs. \V. \V. Rawson & Co., relative to Gladiolus Harvard, the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions advises that a special committee be appointed by the Board to obtain affidavits as to the facts of the matter from the parties interested, and to make cultural trials to determine the truth of the l\Iessrs. Rawsons' statement as to the identity of the George Paul and Harvard Gladioli. Report of Committee on Prizes an<l Exh1bitions on letter of �Ir. Julius Heurlin. The Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions has considered the com­ plaint macle by l\Ir. Julius Heurlin as to the judging of a group of Conifers at the November Exhibition , and inasmuch as no injustice was done to anyone, recommends that the action of the Plant and Flower Committee in making the awards be sustained. This committee is of opinion that the Board should urge upon all its committees making awards the necessity of adhering closely to the rules and requirements of the Schedule. Report of Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions on letter of 1'I. H. \Valsh. The committee approves of the suggestion of l\Ir. Walsh that the Secre­ tary send out post cards to ascertain for the information of the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions the best time to hold the Rose Show. With reference to errors in judging the roses to which l\Ir. Walsh calls attention, the committee is of opinion that while the Society will not be able to find infallible judges of roses, that, newrtheless, the standard of judgment is a high one, and in the short space of time allowed the judge<, for their work, this committee believes that the judgment upon the whole gives general satisfaction. Occasional errors and consequent complaints are unavoidable. It was voted that the reports of the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions in answer to the communications of l\lessrs. Ra"·son, Heurlin, and ·walsh he approved and accepted. It was further voted that a special committee consisting of l\Iessrs. W. N. Craig and Robert Cameron be appointed to take charge of the cultural trials of the gladiolus varieties, referred to in the letter of the :Messrs. Rawson, with the recommendation that they be gro,vn in two different places. February 5. :\Ir. Estabrook, who was appointed a committe<.·, REPORT OF BOA.RD OF TRUSTEES. 159 Xovember 14, 1908, to ascertain the value of the Society's land in South Boston submitted a report in writing stating that the land was wholly marsh, partly under water, and in a neighborhood as yet undeveloped and unattractive, ewn for manufacturing purposes. He reported that there ,vas no demand for it at any price. It ,vas rnted that the report be accepted and placed on file. On motion of }iir. Craig it was rnted to invite the Xew England Fruit Show to hold its exhibition in the halls of this Society, October 10 to 24. On motion of :;.\Ir. Farquhar it was voted to appropriate $3000.00 for prizes and Sl000.00 for expenses for the Orchid Exhibition of :\fay, 1910. The schedule of prizes for the Orchid Exhibition ,ms presented to the Board and, on motion of ::\Ir. Pettigrew, it "·as rnted that it be accepted and referred for publication to the Committee on Prizes and Exhibitions. A communication from Prentiss Cummings, Esq., President of the l\Iount Auburn Cemetery Corporation, was read by .i\lr. Hunne­ well, and it was voted that a committee of three be appointed to consider the proposition therein stated, the President to be a mem­ ber of this committee. The President appointed as the committee Messrs. Hunnewell, Hill, and Weld. The follo,ving named persons were duly elected to membership in the Society: Charles F. Russell of Weston, proposed by C. :\I. WekI: Charles"·· l\loseley of Xewbnryport, proposed by F. S. :i\1oseley. April 3. The committee, consisting of ::.\Iessrs. Weld, Hunnewell, and Hill, appointed at the previous meeting to consider and report upon the communication of Prentiss Cummings, Esq., President of the l\It. Auburn Cemetery Corporation, relative to this Society joining with the cemetery corporation in the purchase of additional land for cemetery purposes, presented a report in writing recom­ mending that the Society decline to participate in the proposed enterprise. The committee further reported that under the terms of the contract between the proprietors of the cemetery and the Horti- 160 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. cultural Society it is not clear whether the proprietors could as a matter of right require the Society to join in these enterprises. T'he committee was informed, however, by l\fr. Cummings that the proprietors have no disposition to insist on any such rights, assuming that they exist, and that they ,vere willing to make such a modifica­ tion of the contract as would place the matter beyond doubt. The committee recommended that they be authorized to cause such a modification of the contract to be prepared and executed as will relieve the Society from any possible obligation to participate in the enterprises referred to, in consideration of its abandoning any claim to share in the profits thereof, and that since the matter is one of importance they may be authorized to employ counsel for that purpose. On motion of Mr. Dorr it was voted to accept the report of the committee and to authorize them to carry out the recommendations therein stated. A communication from A. D. Hill, Esq., "'as presented contain­ ing his resignation as a member of the Bqard on account of the pressure of other duties. It was voted, on motion of Mr. Farquhar, that in consideration of 1\1:r. Hill's valuable services as a member of the Board, and that his term of officewould expire at the close of the current year, the resignation be not accepted. President Weld made an informal report in the matter of the proposed settlement of the Hayes' estate. A communication was presented from the Committee on Plants and Flowers recommending that a Special Diploma be awarded by the Society to James F. M. Farquhar, in recognition of the artistic and horticultural skill shown in the construction and development of a Japanese Garden at Horticultural Hall, Boston, March 24, 1909. The recommendation was heartily adopted. A notice from the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture ·was read suggesting that Societies receiving state funds contribute $25.00 each on account of prizes to be offered at the New England Fruit Show in October next. It was voted to refer the matter to a special committee consisting of Messrs. Farquhar and Craig "·ith full authority to act in the matter. On motion of Mr. Farquhar it "·as voted to invite the New Eng­ land Dahlia Society to hold its annual exhibition in Horticultural REPORT OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 161 Hall, September 10, 11, and 12, 1909, subject to expenses of lighting and service.