]^4 MArN'E STATE SOCIETY. 



a careful examination of a bottle at home, with an eye single 

 to the case in hand, hope unitedly to be able to furni.sli such a 

 report hereafter as shall cover themselves and the State all 

 over with glory. 



The fruits assigned to your committee take rank only below 

 the apple in value and importance in domestic economy in our 

 State. Our sense of the importance of fruit culture is continually 

 strengthened, in whatever light the subject is regarded. In its 

 social, political and moral bearings, — in its connection with the 

 general comfort and subsistence of mankind, — and with the 

 progress of civilization, no secular subject demands more of our 

 attention. 



Of the Pear, we have proof that several varieties now before 

 the public are adapted to general cultivation throughout the in- 

 terior of the State. Our people are learning to proceed with 

 caution in planting new varieties in this climate. The list 

 adopted by the American Poraological Society as adapted to 

 general cultivation, is to be received by us with large abate- 

 ment. We own up as being out of the pale of the good society 

 circle, in the particular thing of growing this fruit ; but not so 

 hopelessly in the Arctic regions, as our friends who leave us 

 to go West, would make the world believe. At no one point 

 in our whole country are pears produced in greater variety and 

 excellence, than the immediate vicinity of Boston. We can 

 hardly hope to see at any place in our State, so much care de- 

 voted to their culture, as is seen there. They are not so far 

 removed but we may and do avail ourselves of their experience ; 

 look to the veterans in pomology there, for the most hardy, de- 

 sirable varieties, as are being proved ; and through the hands 

 of our trusty nurserymen we are receiving annual additions to 

 our list of such as withstand the cold, and produce their fruit 

 in its season, by the side of our most hardy varieties of apples. 



Of the Plum, our State is the field where it develops in its 

 varieties the highest excellence. But the pleasures that should 

 accompany the labors of a fruit committee, and sweeten the 

 remembrance — the 'pleasure of tasling — was in this instance 

 unfortunately denied us, as the lateness of the season cheated 

 our longing eyes and waiting palates of the last fleeting speci- 

 men. To the time alone, is our uiisfortuue in this respect to 

 be attributed. 



