FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 271 



gigantic and magnificent pyramids of flowers presented by 

 George J. Thornton, professional horticulturist, of Lawrence, 

 evinced artistic skill and a zeal for beautifying your hall worthy 

 of all commendation. 



Other beautiful contributions were presented, but not having 

 the names of the worthy donors attached to them, due justice 

 cannot be done to their merits. The magnificent basket of 

 artificial flowers, by Mrs. Edward Hodges, of Salem, is " a thing 

 of beauty," but belongs to a different department. Hoping that 

 all contributors on this occasion may find the path of life abun- 

 dantly strewed with thornless flowers, your committee respect- 

 fully submit the foregoing report. 



Eastman Sanborn, Chairman. 



MIDDLESEX. 



Report of the Committee. 



Grapes. — The show of grapes was not so good as that of 

 1854 ; this was probably owing to the less favorable season of 

 1855. The mildew affected the grape more than usual, and the 

 early frosts prevented the late varieties from ripening. 



Many native varieties were exhibited, none of which appeared 

 to your committee to have any merit beyond that of early ripen- 

 ing and large size, some of them being nearly one and one-half 

 inches in diameter. 



Three varieties of seedling grapes were entered for premium 

 — the Concord, by E. W. Bull ; a seedling from the Isabella, by 

 Mr. Gammell, of Lexington ; and an amber-colored seedling, by 

 Mr. Clement, of Dracut. 



This latter grape is not remarkable for high qualities, but has 

 an agreeable and rather acid flavor, a thin skin, and less pulp 

 than the wild grape. It is an improvement on the wild grape, 

 and promises to be a good breeder, and we think Mr. Clement 

 will be able to get some good grapes out of it. 



The seedling from the Isabella was a black grape, of rather 

 harsh flavor — this may improve with cultivation — compact 

 bunch, of medium size, and, like all seedlings from the Isabella 

 known to your committee, much inferior to that grape. 



