FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 2T9 



sliowii from quite a number of sources, and in one instance fiv^e 

 varieties wore from one contributor. The Early Crawford, as 

 usual, carries off the first premium. 



In the matter of grapes, the committee have refused to 

 acknowledge the Isabella as No. 1, and for these reasons: — 

 When asked which was the preferable grape upon the tables, to 

 be eaten noiv, it was tlic unanimous opinion that tlie Early 

 Northern Muscadine stood first, and the early Amber next. 

 Both these grapes were ripe, and the first quite so, while the 

 Isabella was quite immature. In this vicinity the Isabella does 

 not attain maturity oftener than once in three or four years, 

 which fact is sufficient to effectually prevent its cultivation as a 

 matter of profit. The others, although the berries arc more 

 foxy than the Isabella, especially in their perfume, are good 

 growers, perfectly hardy, and the fruit is sure to ripen. The 

 Early Nortliern Muscadine comes from Lebanon, New York, 

 and the Eaily Amber from Harvard, Massachusetts. The dis- 

 play of the intolerable fox grape was, as usual, very large, and 

 needs no encouragement. 



AVe cannot close this part of our report without expressing 

 our satisfaction with the method adopted this year, of number- 

 ing the various collections, rather than placing the names of the 

 contributor upon them. By this plan the committee are able 

 to make up their awards in a perfectly impartial manner, giving 

 premiums to the specimens, instead of, as is too often the case, 

 to individuals. 



Jabez Fisher, Chairman. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Report of the Committee. 



Your committee have the satisfaction of being able to report, 

 that while in no respect does the exhibition in their department 

 fall behind that of former years, the samples, in many varieties 

 of the products offered, display a development and beauty far in 

 advance of previous exhibitions. 



Following the usage of former committees in this department, 

 your chairman, — to familiarize himself with the subject, — at the 

 start, took a census of the fruit-bearing plates and dishes, as 



