158 PROCEEDINGS. 



size; evidently a variety of, or accidental sport from, the common high bush Blackberry^ 

 and worthy of note rather as a novelty, than as possessing any superior qualities. The 

 plant was found in the woods by Mr. Needham, and by him transplanted to his garden. 



Although possessing no claim to novelty, the great beauty and uncommon size of some 

 Elton Cherries, probably the finest and largest ever placed on the tables of the Society — 

 raised by Mr. J. F. Allen, under glass — rendered them worthy of special notice in this 

 Report. For three years in succession, including that now closing, a small red Cherry, 

 very sweet, and of pleasant flavor — doubtless a variety of the Mazzard — has been 

 exhibited by Mr. Solon Dike. This the Committee have judged worthy of a name, and 

 having been requested by the exhibitor to name it, have decided upon calling it Dike's 

 Mazzard. But, of all the Seedling Cherries that have been yet brought under the notice of 

 your Committee, those produced and repeatedly shown by Mr. George Walsh, are by far 

 the best. Of these, there are three varieties, and by Mr. Walsh numbered 1, 2, and 3. 

 These Cherries resemble each other, and have probably a similar origin. They are of a 

 very dark color, large, sweet, rich flavor, and rivalling, in their beauty, size, and quality, 

 that standard variety, the Black Tartarian. -They are represented as good bearers, and not 

 liable to rot. They have been disseminated, this year, by the distribution of buds, for the 

 first time, and will now soon be tested in various different situations. Should they be found 

 to succeed as well in different situations, and with common cultivation, as in the place of 

 their origin, they will prove a valuable acquisition. 



Another opportunity has been afforded, the past season, of testing the Reine Claude de 

 Bavay Plum — a variety with a reputation for great excellence, imported at high cost from 

 Europe, within a few years. It is a Plum of medium size, of yellowish green color, 

 and sweet, pleasant flavor — a clingstone, ripening late in the season, and keeping into 

 October — and, though thus far hardly maintaining the reputation that preceded its 

 introduction, is a good fruit, and one probably worthy of cultivation. A new Plum, called 

 De Montfort, of a most delicious flavor, was presented to the Committee on the 24th of 

 August, by Hon. M. P. Wilder. Red Currants, of large size, somewhat later than the 

 Red Dutch, called Gondouin, were exhibitetl, the past season, by Josiah Lovett, 2d. They 

 were of good flavor, and said to be productive. 



Your Committee have, this year, had an opportunity, for the first time, of trying the 

 qiiality of some new Pears, and also of further testing some of those more recently 

 introduced. Among the former was a Pear, said to be ff native origin, presented by 

 Messrs. Hovey, on August 31. It is a fruit of medium size, round oblong shape, yellow 

 color, with a fine blush in the sun, and with russet at the stem ; skin smooth; flesh melting, 

 juicy, and of a very pleasant flavor; resembling, in its general appearance, the Golden 

 Beurre of Bilboa. 



On August 24, Mr. Francis Dana, who seems to have been very successful in producing 

 new Pears from seed, exhibited another Seedling Pear raised by him, that promises to be 

 an acquisition to our stock of Summer fruits. It was of medium size, pyriform shape, 

 swelled out at the stem, somewhat rough, yet full of a rich, sprighfly juice. 



The Swan's Orange, or Onondaga Pear, has, the past year, been produced in greater 

 quantities than before, in this vicinity ; and, accordingly, better means of judging of its 

 value for general culfivation have been afforded, though not sufficient, perhaps, to authorize 

 the expression of an entirely confident opinion. Although this fruit will probably never 

 be placed by connoisseurs in the very first rank for excellence — different specimens 

 varying much in quality — yet its general good qualities, its size and beauty — in connection 

 with the circumstances that the trees are said to be very productive, of vigorous habit, and 

 early bearing — will, it is believed, render it worthy of an extended cultivation. 



Beurre Langelier gives promise of maintaining in this country its European reputation, 

 and ol jusfifying, in a measure, at least, the pretensions made for it by its originator. It is 



