The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-23
Exhibition Of the horticultural Society. 7

ExhtDitt0n or the Horticultural Society.
The autumual exhibition of the PENNSYLVANIA
horticultural Society opened yesterday at Hor-
uoulturai Hall, Broad street. below Locust, and
the display OF flowers, fruits, vegetables aud
plants is one OF the finest that there has been
for umber OF years. The various contribu-
lions are arranged with judem ent, so that they
can easily be examined, and the decorations OF
the hall are appropriate and tasteful. The stage
II perfect mass Of greenery. Along each side
are specimens of evergreens, and these, with
hne collection Of variegated plants exhibited
by Mr. Graham, Eighteenth and Thompson
streets. occupy q large portion of the platform.
AT each end Of the stage are rustic work devices
covered with towering vines. and at the back
moses and plants are arranged in a sort of ter
race three or four feet high, in the middle of
which Ia miniature waterfall, and q couple of
garden statues bearing baskets of flowers COM
plete the picture. In the centre of the hall is o
fountain which FLASHES musically, and at the
foot of the stage stands a fiue aquarium con-
tanning number OF gold fish. The gallery
urDs are filled with evergreens, and from the
galleries and gas fixtures depend a number OF
large hanging baskets of plants and flowers
AT the upper end Of the hall there is beauti-
full floral device of pyramidal form. arranged
by Mr. Graham, and on the north and south
sides are similar pyramids, contributed re .
spectively by ID. Mcqueen. gardener to Joshua
Longstreth. ESQ.,, Turner's Lane. and ]. b. Mer-
rick, ESQ, Roxborough. Near the centre of the
hall. on the north side, is a handsome device of
uncovered rustic work supporting an arch of
flowers. The task of arranging the decorations
Of the hall was entrusted on this, as on former
occasions. to Mr.. M Southwood, of No. II
North sixth street.
Arranged upon the north side, and occupying
nearly the entire length of the all, is q valuable
and interesting collection of variegated plants
ferns, etc., contributed by Joseph Bevis, gardener
to Dr. William Csmac These are curious as
well as beautiful. Two tables near the east end
Of the hall are filled with similar productions
OF the greenhouse, ex hibited by Robert Buist,
Sr., of the Rosedale Nurseries, SIxty-seventh
street and Darby road. Mr.. FL. A. Dreer makes
fine display with fifty varieties of cut flowers
some beautiful specimens of verbenas, double
zinnias. dahlias. tritonias, etc. Mr. Masham, of
Germantown, and Gebhard Hustler, gardener to
]. b. Heyl. ESQ.,, also have handsome collec-
tions Of cut flowers. Mr. Hustler. In addition to
these specimens from his greenhouse, exhibits
some fine specimens of garden vegetables, and
large assortment of choice varieties OF grapes
Mr.. Gerhard Schmitz, Broad street, below
Passyunk road has q fine assortment OF
dahlias. Mr.. Schmitz has passion for these
flowers, and he grows nothing else. One large
variegated dahlia which he exhibits is very
handsome Two beautiful bridal bouquets
come from the Drybough Gardens, Nineteenth
street and Ridge avenue.
As branch of horticulture grape-growing is
getting to be more important every year,
although 1t is only within comparatively
recent period that much attention has been
given to the subject in this country. The finest
display is that made by Knox, Of Pittsburg
who has large pyramidal structure covered
with specimens from his vineyards. This col.
lection has sixty-three different varieties in it.
comprising nearly all the native grapes that
are cultivated. Messrs. j. w. Mitchell, g. w
Peale. e. w. Herstine. and others, and the
Agricultural Bureau at Washington, exhibit q
large assortment of Maxatawney
Adirondack, Iowa, Calabria Muscat,
Muscat Hamburg. Black Hamburg. White
Syrian, Black Prince, and other choice
varieties. Some OF the buncnes are 1mmense,
with large. plump berries, which indicate ex-
treme care in the cultivation. The display OF
peaches is not large, but the few on exhibition
are fine looking. In the way of fruits there are
specimens of various kinds of apples, pears,
ounces. etc.. most Of which are of superior size
and flavor.
The vegetables are arranged on the south side
OF the hall. The largest collection Is that from
the gardens of Anthony FELTON,, near Belmont.
In this assortment are included some huge
French beets. egg plants, tomatoes,
beans, ocras. cabbages. sweet corn, pota-
toes, eto. One moderate.sized tub full OF
new variety of potatoes is valued
at fifty dollars-rather more than most of our
economical housewives would be willing to
pay, we fancy. Messrs. Charles Armor Donald
Mcqueen, and j. Mitchell all make creditabIe
exhibitions of the products of their gardening
skill. Lorin Blodgett, Esq, has wall-grown
tomato vine, eleven feet high. thickly hung
with fruit, and David White, ESQ.,, exhibits
some sweet potatoes of unusual size. Among the
curiosities in this department is an immense
pumpkin, which was raised in box by Mrs.
A. George. This gigantic specimen. suggestive
Of pumpkin pies enough to feed a regiment, is
sixty seven and three quarter inches in length
and forty one and O half inches in girth.
Besides those that we have mentioned there
are many small lots of fruits, flowers, and
vegetables. which are worthy of the attention
of the visitors, and our citizens will find 1t is
pleasant as well as profitable employment
during the continuance of the present exhibi,
ton. The sum of six hundred dollars has been
appropriated by the horticultural Society tor
prizes which Will be distributed at the close of
the, exhibition on Friday evening. In the
meantime the hall Will be open day and even
ing, and we hope that those who visit the show
will enjoy the fine display of natures produc-
tions improved by art as much as we did while
making our tour of observation.