PROCEEDINGS. 159 



a handsome fruit, of good size, yellow color, with a fine blush in the sun — melting, juicy, 

 and of an agreeable taste — whose season is January and February, though some of the 

 specimens this year ripened in November. 



The pear Nouveau Poitean — in size large or above a medium, of a dark green color, 

 flesh buttery and melting, ripening in November — has fruited for the first time in this 

 country, the past season • but, as only one opportunity has been afforded of testing it, any 

 expression of opinion as to its merits would be premature. 



Specimens of the Beurre Sprin have been, the last season, exhibited by Josiah Lovett, 

 2d ; and of Beurre Goubau-lt, and of Fondate de Malines, by John Washburn. These 

 Pears are of recent origin or introduction, and but few opportunities have as yet been 

 afforded for testing their quality ; a circumstance that, in the opinion of the Committee, 

 renders it expedient for them to delay any statement respecting them for the present. 



Although seven years have elapsed since it was fruited for the first time in this city, the 

 Doyenne Boussock, or Boussock Nouvelle, seems in a great measure to have escaped 

 notice until recently, when attention was more particularly called to it by the production of 

 many fine specimens, and those raised in different situations, and under not particularly 

 favorable circumstances. At the last Annual Exhibition of the Society, pears of this 

 variety, from William Davis, were among the most attractive objects on the tables. It 

 is of very large size, great beauty, good quality, and appears worthy of an extensive 

 circulation. These remarks are also in some respects applicable to the Beurr6 d'Anjou 

 and Paradise of Automne — fine pears, that not appear to have received that attention from 

 cultivators to which they are justly entitled. 



Northern Spy Apples have been exhibited for the first time, by Dr. Wight, of Dedham. 

 From their size, great beauty, and good quality, specimens of this variety, brought from 

 and raised in Western New York, have been greatly admired ; and strong hopes were 

 indulged, as the trees are hardy and grow vigorously, that the variety would succeed well 

 with us. The specimens exhibited, thus far, hardly give promise of the fruifion of this 

 hope. As, however, it is the first year of their production, perhaps they were not a 

 criterion of what may be expected, and great improvement in size and quality may 

 hereafter be attained. 



Although omitted in perhaps its more appropriate place in this Report, a mention of the 

 fact should not be neglected, that Lewis, or Boston Nectarines, remarkable for size and 

 beauty, superior to any that as yet have been brought under the notice of your Committee, 

 were exhibited at one of the weekly exhibitions of the Society, the past season, by INlr. 

 Stephen H. Perkins. 



A strong desire on the part of the Committee to place before the Society all the 

 information they possess respecting fruits of recent origin or introduction, and such opinions 

 as their opportunities have enabled them to form of the qualities of such, has given rise to 

 the preceding notices of some varieties; but, aware that specimens of fruit produced from 

 young trees, of the first or even second year of bearing, are not always a true criterion 

 of the qualities of the variety — and that, before a reliable judgment can be formed, 

 specimens from trees arrived at some degree, at least, of maturity are necessary, and those, 

 too, subjected to a variety of soils and situations, and different modes of culture — an 

 equally strong desire on their part not to mislead, prompts a caution that implicit confidence 

 should not be given to opinions, if not hastily formed, at least not grounded on sufficient 

 data. With respect to the qualities of a fruit, especially Winter fruits, much may depend 

 upon the mode of ripening. With some, no care whatever is necessary, while others only 

 arrive at their perfection under some peculiar process ; and a knowledge of this fact is 

 necessary, in order to warrant a perfectly correct conclusion with respect to the merits of a 

 variety. Upon the whole, it is believed that it will prove the best and safest course for 

 beginners to make their selections from well known and established kinds; unless in their 



