Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-18
Opening of the Horticultural Exhibition

The annual exhibition OF tnC Worcester COun
ty Horticultural society began in Mechanics and
Washburn halls last evening, and will continue
until Friday evening. The street in front of the
building presented a busy appearance during
the afternoon, and the secretary and his as
sistants were kept busy until late in the evening
in recording the articles entered for exhibition
The storm which has prevailed for the last few
days has been an unlayorable circumstance as
it has prevented intended exhibitors from bring
ing their entries TO the halls. Mostot the classes
of fruit, flowers and vegetables are well filled,
and the numerous entries made last evening
promise an exhibition superior to any yet given
by the society.
Mechanics hall, though of course not nearly
as full or attractive as it will be to-day, and
during the remainder of the fair, presented a
very fine appearance last evening. A large dis
play Of greenhouse plants, ranged in double
row through the centre of the hall, and encoS.
ing the platform with lCafy hedge, are partic-
ularly noticeable on entering the hall Hon.
Stephen Salisbury, p. l.. Moen, VIM. T. Merri-
field and w. W. Cook, are prominent exhibitors
in this department Mr. Salisbury's collection
consists of Is varieties of plants with ornament
al foliage, 16 new and rare plants, including
several recent importations, and "a varieties of
ferns, which are upon the platform. Mr.. Merri-
field also has large collection of choice yari :
ties of tropical plants, including fine specimen
of pitcher plant, and several pine apple plants
in fruit, also collection of ferns. Mr.. Mocn
exhibits with his collection a specimen of sage
palm, owned aud planted by George Washing
ton, and given to Mr.. |. Washburn by lady in
Philadelphia, relative Of Washington. Mr.
Cooks collection includes 36 varieties of ferns.
The display Of cut flowers, floral designs, ETC.
is much larger than could have been expected,
considering the weather. The cut flowers are
mostly placed in the west ante-room, thoughth
sides of the hall are lined with row Of stands
which will be filled to-day. The floral designs,
which are located in the centre of the hall, are
some Of them very beautiful and attract great
deal Of attention. Among the most noticeable
are a beautiful floral cross by Mrs. S. L. Tain
ter, and an evergreen arbor decorated with
astcrs and filled with tiny bouquets, by Miss
Helen A. Rand of Shrewsbury. Mrs George L.
Francis exhibited a basket of eight or ten varie-
ties of wild berries set in clcmatis, and basket
of wild flowers, tastefully arranged There
were in all forty exhibitors Of plants, cut flow
ers, hanging baskets, etc more extended
notice of the various entries will lie given to-
morrow.
The display of apples, spread out upon tables
reaching half around the hall, presented an
agreeable contrast to the meagre display last
year, though it will be nearly doubled by to-
day. There are fifty exhibitors in this de-
partment o. B. Hadwcn exhibits specimen
plates of n varieties; Sylyanus Sears, "a varie
tics; Stephen S. Foster, so varieties; Adams
Foster of Holden, % varieties; E. NJ. Banning,
20 varieties, and Joseph A. Denny of Leicester,
20 varieties. There are also large number of
entries of from five to fifteen varieties.
OF pears there is a larger display than usual
of about average quality, though the fruit is not
as large as it would be if allowed to remain on
the trees for a week or two longer. There were
1877 specimen plates upon the tables last evening.
Among the principal exhibitors are S. S. Eos
ter, A. NJ. Marble of Grafton, James F. Allen,
c. Newton, VIM. H. Earle S. H. Cotton, S. V.
stone, James Draper, Il. j. Kinney, L. l., Moen
and d. S. Burgess.
There are fourteen exhibitors Of grapes, ten of
peaches, and one each of ounces, currants and
plums.
The display of vegetables in Washburn hall is
far better than any yet given under the auspices
Of the society, and fully proves the wisdom of
assigning a separate room to this department.
Among the prominent exhibitors are Thomas
A. Dawson, Alden II. Sears, Simon f. Fisher,
Stephen Salisbury, and Joseph b. Pratt.
During the evening, Barnard and Richardson's
band furnished fine selections of music from the
platform in the large hall, The attendance was
not large, owing to the inclement weather and
the fact that the exhibition is not yet fairly
open, but if the attendance to-day is equal to
the merits of the exhibition, the hall will be
crowded