304 [ASSBMBLY 



served, hj harlng the same name to the 8a.me apple, throughout 

 the whole country. Precision of name constitutes a leadjing con- 

 sideration in the selection of good fruit. The committee awards 

 the first premium for the best, not less than ten varieties, 

 Danie] Sands, who exhibited 21 varieties; and the second 

 premium to John Comslock. The latter indefatigable pomologist 

 had a collection of 40 varieties, which far exceeded that of any 

 other contributor; but his specimens were not as fair as those of 

 Mr. Sands; best not less than five varieties, is awarded to S. 

 Haight. Second best to G, Snyder. 



Many beautiful specimens were deposited by others, but the 

 oommittee cannot notice one without mentioning all. They 

 return the obligations of the society to Messrs. DeForest for 12 

 varieties ; Gerow, for 21 ; Story, for 36 ; Griffin, for 23 ; Welling, 

 for2S; J. k E. Haviland, for 2t; Thorn k Ferguson, for 10 ; 

 Doct. Smith, for 10 ; a very handsome collection had no label to 

 designate the depositor. 



Pear;?.-— The committee feels peculiar pleasure in referring to 

 this delightful family of fruits. They well remember the meager 

 and almost worthless display of pears which was made less than 

 ten years ago, in the exhibition of the society. Nearly all, of 

 any value, were then sent by a few amateur cultivators ; but now 

 every farmer who feels an enterprising spirit, looks upon a good 

 fruit yard as an indi?pensal5le appendage to his farm. It consti- 

 tutes, in fact, the evidence of an industrious, intelligent and 

 thrifty homestead. Show us a farm without good fruit trees, and 

 we will show you an occupant who is either dissipated, ignorant 

 and lazy, or who is encased among the "old fogies," of agricul- 

 ture, who can appreciate nothing beyond beans, pork and 

 tobacco. 



• 



Dutchess county has never had such a splendid variety of 

 pears on exhibition, as this season has produced. But with them, 

 as with apples, the kinds are so numerous that much time must 

 necessarily elapse before a selection can be made of first rate 

 pears, which are adapted to our soil and climate. The great 

 object in selecting an orchard is not to obtain a great variety, 

 but a regular succession of the best varieties of fruit. 



