ISC STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



mens of this reached us on the 20th of September, but unfortunately in very 

 bad condition on account of the crushing of the box in the mails. Enough, 

 however, remained to enable us to describe it as a rather early, greenish white 

 grape, berry of medium size, bunch rather long, open ; flavor sweet, sprightly, 

 excellent, flesh tender and very juicy ; seeds few, small. The originator says, 

 "Kipe ten days before the Concord." 



Medlar 



is a fruit rarely grown in Michigan, or indeed in America. Itis grown to some 

 extent in England, but its right to be considered indigenous, in that country, 

 is considered doubtful. It is believed to have originated in Southern Europe, 

 and Asia. With some doubts respecting its hardiness in this climate, we have 

 imported, grown and fruited it for several years, and find it hardy, at least at 

 the Lake Shore. It is, in habit, somewhat like the quince, although both 

 plant and fruit are of small growth. The fruit is even more austere than the 

 quince, and is applicable to similar uses. With the great variety of fruits at 

 our command, it can only be regarded as a pomological curiosity. 



PEACHES. 



The past season, so prolific of fruits in general, has, as might be naturally 

 inferred, brought out quite an assortment of new varieties. Especially is this 

 true of peaches. This fruit has borne almost everywhere, and as a result an 

 opportunity has been afforded to institute comparisons between the seedlings 

 which have sprung up here and there, and the old and improved varieties. 

 The opportunity thus afforded to all to institute critical comparisons before 

 deciding upon the value of these varieties, has apparently operated as a pre- 

 ventative to the bringing out of the less desirable sorts, hence the fact seems to 

 be that the candidates for public approval have, so far as we have opportunity 

 to observe, been generally of high average quality. Among those that have 

 come under our notice, the first to ripen was 



Early Curtis, 



which was received from Jacob Ganzhorn, Secretary of the Washtenaw County 

 Pomological Society, fully ripe on the 23d of July. This is about the season 

 of Alexander and Amsden this year, and this is in every respect, so far as we 

 are able to judge, very much like them, except that it seems somewhat less 

 inclined to adhere to the pit. We understand that there are two seedlings 

 most alike in most respects. We have good reason to suspect them to be 

 identical with two varieties brought to our notice two years previous by Mr. 

 Gibson, of Clinton, Lenawee county, which we shall hope to fruit next season. 

 The Early Curtis is crenate, with reniform glands. 



Another early peach was sent us on July 27th, by Marvin & French, of 

 Ovid, Clinton county, which was, in appearance, much like the Early Curtis, 

 and, if we take into consideration the difference of latitude, likely to prove 

 fully as early. The quality is also very similar. This purports to be a native 

 of that locality — fruit of fully medium size, with the characteristics of Alex- 

 ander and Amsden, including the tendency to adhere to the pit, and, as nearly 

 as can be judged under the circumstances, of about the same season. Con- 

 sidering the present surfeit of very early peaches, we have not felt warranted 

 to encourage the originators to name or introduce this till after careful com- 

 parison with those in competition with it. 



