PROCEEDINGS. 157 



that are worthy of an extended cultivation ; on the continued interest of its members in 

 these objects of the Society, and upon its continued favorable consideration with the public 

 as evinced by an increased number of competitors for its premiums, and a more general 

 attendance at its exhibitions. 



The success that has thus far attended the Society, instead of causing any relaxation, 

 should act as a stimulus to greater zeal and more vigorous and skilful efforts, on the part 

 of its members, to the promotion, if not to the full attainment, of the ends contemplated by 

 its founders. 



An unusual quantity of rain, through the Spring and Summer of the past year, followed 

 by a remarkably pleasant, dry Autumn — with no " killing frosts" until late in the latter 

 season — atfording ample opportunities for the trees to ripen their wood and perfect their 

 buds, and enabling the grasses to retain their freshest green uninterruptedly from Spring 

 till late in Autumn, have been some of its peculiar characteristics. April and May, in this 

 vicinity, were cold and wet, accompanied with long-continued east winds and much 

 rain at the time the fruit trees were bursting their flower-buds ; whilst the Summer was 

 distinguished by less than the usual quantity of heat, and more than the usual supply of 

 moisture. As was to be expected, the effects of these causes have not failed to be 

 manifested, in the production of our Gardens and Orchards, by a diminution in quantity, or 

 deterioration in quality. 



The past season cannot be considered as one propitious to either fruit trees or fruit. For 

 both, there was probably too much wet — the vigor and growth of the former, and the 

 flavor and richness of the latter, being injuriously affected thereby. Apples and Pears in 

 Massachusetts, though in some sections of it abundant, were, on the whole, both as regards 

 quantity and quality, below an average. Peaches, in most situations, were in great 

 abundance, but inferior in quality. Cherries were inferior, and Plums below a medium 

 crop. Grapes generally failed to perfect and ripen their fruit ; those raised in graperies, 

 even, being deficient in size, color, or flavor. Of the smallest fruits — the Strawberry, 

 Raspberry, &c. — there was an ample supply, with, for the most part, a deficiency in 

 richness, sweetness, and flavor. 



A reasonable hope had been indulged, that opportunity would, the past season, have 

 been afforded to test the quality of many of the new varieties of Pears that, during the past 

 few years, have by importations been added to our collections; but this expectation, 

 though not wholly disappointed, has not been gratified to the extent anticipated. Specimens 

 of some of these have been placed on your tables ; and some new varieties, of native 

 origin, have also been submitted to the examination of your Committee. Two varieties 

 of Seedling Strawberries, raised by him, have been exhibited by the President of the 

 Society. One of these varieties was a staminate of a dark red color, very fine flavor, good 

 size, hardy, and very productive ; worthy, if any staminate variety is, as your Committee 

 think, of an extended culture. The other was a pistillate, of a light red color, possessing 

 also many valuable properties. Specimens of twenty varieties of Strawberries were, the 

 past season, presented to the Society by Mr. L. E. Eaton, of Providence ; many of them of 

 recent importation, and new to your Committee. Unfortunately some of the varieties had 

 received injury in the carriage, and their quality could not be so accurately tested as was 

 desirable. Some of them were of fine flavor, and — especially one marked General 

 Jacquemont — will, it is believed, prove desirable acquisitions. Another opportunity of 

 testing Jenney's Seedling Strawberry, has strengthened the Committee in their former 

 expressed opinions of this variety. The plants are very hardy and productive ; the berries 

 very solid and heavy — when perfectly ripe, losing iheir acidity, and becoming very fine 

 in flavor. In the opinion of your Committee, it is a very estimable variety. 



August 2, 1850, Mr. J. Shed Needham, of Danvers, exhibited a box of berries, of the 

 white high-bush Bramble. These were of a pinkish white or rose color, not of very great 



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