• 1877.] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39 



for the Jucunda. Upon our clayey soils its cultivation, with reasonable 

 attention and industry, should invariably result in success. What it can 

 do, in the hands of those who have striven the most to develop it, in 

 Worcester, was manifested upon the 28th day of June, ult, when Mr. F. 

 J. Kiuuey exhibited fifty (50) berries vrhose wei.2;ht was three (3) pounds ; 

 and Mr. Wm. H. Earle displayed a quart box, containing thirty-two (32) 

 berries that tipped the scale at two (2) pounds and I ounce. 



Meanwhile due credit should be allowed to those enterprising growers 

 who, whether from zeal for the advancement of Pomology, or the love of 

 shekels, try all things that are introduced — holding fast to that which 

 seemeth good. And who are possibly a little too tenacious of that which 

 has hitherto only been proved good upon their own limited grounds. 



The Strawberry season, as a whole, may be pronounced a success. It 

 IS true that excessive heat early in June stimulated the crop, but timely 

 rains came to its aid, and secured the maturation of the berries. So far 

 as the market was concerned, the middle-man complained that the Gran- 

 ger was slack in the supply of his necessities, and that the Sovereign of 

 Industry failed at his sorest pinch. And this on the 22d day of June, 

 after our Annual Exhibition had been held. At that date, the Charles 

 Downing was noted as most abundant ; — the Monarch of the West being 

 next in force. But all deficiencies, in such respect, were more than made 

 good by the slaves of toil, whose motto is " live and let live !" and who 

 look upon an open countenance as the most apt and genial introduction 

 to an empty bell3^ Strawberry short-cake may pall upon a satiated appe- 

 tite, but he need never be short himself who can supplement cake enough 

 with unfailing strawberries. And of such is -the amateur Fragarian, in- 

 spired by the example and instruction of this Society. 



Many years have elapsed since your Secretary began to inculcate, 

 through the medium of these Reports, a wider cultivation and encourage- 

 ment of the Raspherry. The bread thus cast upon the waters returned 

 indeed after many days : but only Black-caps constituted the flotsam 

 and jetsam. But, during the summer just passed, our tables bore strik- 

 ing testimony to the value of that final perseverance enjoined upon the 

 saints. Noble displays of the Clarke, Brinkle's Orange, Northumberland 

 Fillbasket, Hudson River Antwerp, and the Hornet, were all that could 

 be required by the most exacting. Such fruit,, if grown for the market, 

 will create a demand where none existed before. If produced for home 

 consumption, alone, it will supply an amount of wholesome and dainty 

 nutriment, during the languor and oppression of dog-days, for which 

 there can be no substitute. And, as for ruinous competition with the 

 local supply, the fruit itself is too perishable to bear carriage for consid- 

 able distances. 



