foreign grapes have been shown on several of their exhibition tables in condition, which 

 leaves nothing to be desired; and we question whether finer samples of this fruit have 

 ever graced the hospitable board of any of our readers. In point of size, the bunches 

 exhibited have generally been satisfactor}'; and seeing that the cultui'e of the foreign grape 

 under glass, to an}' extent among us, may be said to be comparatively of recent oi'igin, it 

 has gratified us to find them usual!}' shown with such evenl}' sized beii'ies. There is one 

 caution which we must nevertheless give some of our 3'oung grape growers, (a class that we 

 have reason to know is now ever}' day largely increasing in number,) and that is, not on 

 any account to cut for exhibition a bunch of grapes that is not JMij ripe. We have ob- 

 served in man}' instances this year, individual bunches which were not ripe, placed with 

 others that were perfectly so, and in some cases we have seen that this defect has been 

 overlooked, or ratlier disregarded by the judges, and premiums have been awarded for 

 them. Now this should not be. We know full well, from considerable past personal ex- 

 perience, that it is a very disagreeable duty in judging at Horticultural Exhibitions, to 

 be under the necessity of putting aside and disqualifying that which, as a whole, is a fine 

 collection of fruit, on account of some defect, such as unripeness in a portion of it; or 

 perhaps for some other requirement, which a little more time would have remedied; and 

 whicli was not altogether a fault arising from any controllable defect in cultivation. W'e 

 know that in such cases, to say nothing of the disappointment and dissatisfaction fre- 

 quently produced, the cause even of the rejection is, to young cultivators, often unknown; 

 and that discouragement and discontent thence produced, sometimes induce the exhibitor 

 to decline to take part in future trials of skill. But, however unfortunate this is, the 

 judges should never allow such considerations to influence them. The very object of all 

 parties engaged is the attainment of perfection in the pursuit; and although we know 

 that it is in degree alone, and not in the full sense of the term, that this can be obtained; 

 yet certain and distinct Diinimum limits of excellence should be laid down and ad- 

 hered to, below which no subject of competition sliould be receivable. For it will be evi- 

 dent, upon consideration, that unless this be done, on the one hand, the very object of 

 the discouragement of mediocre culture will be defeated, and on the other, the stimulus 

 to exertion to leacli a high standard of excellence, will be to a great extent taken away. 

 A far preferable mode forjudges to adopt, whenever the general appearance of the subject 

 of competition would appear, as compared with others exhibited, to entitle it to a premium, 

 but wbich it is disqualified from receiving on account of defects or deficiencies not readily 

 apparent to the inexperienced eye, is for the judges to attach a paper with a short note 

 of the reason, thus, " DisqaaUfiad by thz judges on account oj * * * — ." This 

 will always testify that the judges have not been negligent in the discharge of their duty; 

 and will generally reconcile the unsuccessful candidate himself to his misfortune. He 

 will regard the paper as tantamount to a testimonial by tlie judges in favor of the general 

 good results of his exertions, and his vanity, (or perhaps commendable pride,) will not 

 be wounded; and the consolation which he derives from the idea that but for the one 

 mischance, he would have obtained the reward of his care and skill, neutralises the feeling 

 of disappointment at its loss; and he resolves on more circumspection in future. 



Our Boston friends who have so well earned, and so long claimed a pre-eminent position 

 amongst us in pear culture, will, we are well assured, join us in congratulating our culti- 

 vators soinetliing farther south, at their success this season. In numerous instances we 

 have seen a considerable increase this year in the number of good varieties exhibited by 

 ew-York and other growers. Doubtless every year adds to their experience as to 

 iticular varieties suited to their locations in our varied climate, and to this the i-e- 



