416 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Syrians ; and although not a native of Europe, it was long since 

 brought from Asia, first to Egypt, thence to Rome and France, 

 and thence to England by the Romans, six hundred years after 

 the Christian Era. It has been extensively cultivated for wine, 

 for drying, and as a desert fruit. As the foreign varieties have 

 never thrived in open culture in this country, it is highly neces- 

 sary that we should turn our attention to our native grapes ; 

 and should the same attention be paid to the grape as to the 

 improvement of other fruits, we shall, ere long, undoubtedly 

 produce as fine varieties as those of other countries. 



There were but two varieties of plums ofi"ered, being beau- 

 tiful specimens of Coe's Golden Drop. There was so little 

 choice in the two, the committee were divided in opinion. Two 

 baskets of fruit were also offered. 



Benjamin "Wheeler, for the Committee. 



WORCESTER NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee on fruit congratulate the association on the 

 fine display exhibited, and the great improvement which the 

 few years since the first exhibition have made in the horticul- 

 ture and orcharding of our neighborhood. Although, from the 

 lateness of the season, but few of the earlier fruits could be 

 presented. The show of apples, pears, quinces, and the later 

 fruit, was excellent. The association are much indebted to 

 John Milton Earle, Esq., of Worcester, for his unrivalled dis- 

 play of pears, consisting of seventy-one varieties, which was in 

 itself an exhibition worthy the diligent study of all cultivators 

 of this delicious fruit. The committee regret that by the 

 rules of the association, they have no power to bestow any 

 more substantial reward than their thanks, for this fine addi- 

 tion to our festival. 



The main feature of the exhibition, excepting the specimens 

 of Mr. Earle, were the apples ; and the collection was large 

 and highly gratifying, both from the variety and the excellence 

 of the respective samples. And the committee, after a few of 



