.1877.] REPORT OP THE SECRETARY. 47 



" as the yield will, it is said, be the most productive that has been regis- 

 " tered during the present century." 



If the Phylloxera is becoming of little account in Europe, how shall it 

 be worth our while to borrow trouble, here in America, about lesser af- 

 flictions ? " Fret not thy gizzard! " once exclaimed the late Prophet of 

 the Latter-Day Saints, as he was expressing the essence of modern phi- 

 losophy. 



Several of the newer Pears were exhibited by some of our members, at 

 the Annual Autumnal Exhibition, as grown by themselves for the 

 first time. The Dr. Beeder, of Mr. Moses Church, were small, sweet, of 

 a flavor mot unlike that of the Ptostiezer, while less attractive in appear- 

 ance than even that dull variety. The Chairman of the Pear Committee 

 failed to identify his specimens as Marie Louise cV Ucdes which they 

 were generally considered. Having latterly turned his attention to a 

 study of the theory, in connection with the practice of natural selection, 

 in its most genial aspects, involving the affinity of species in its closest 

 relations, it is to be hoped that he will hereafter make more account of a 

 family record and pedigree. 



The variety that your Secretary procured from Messrs. Ellwanger & 

 Barry, for " Souvenir du Congres Pomologique" and the scions of which 

 he distributed quite freely, has continued to puzzle the very elect. Be- 

 yond a pardonable curiosity to know what we have, we need scftrcely to 

 concern ourselves on account of that which we certainly have not. The 

 Flore des Serres, vol 20, pp. 66, thus reconciles us : " Souvenir du Con- 

 " gres Pomologique ; — (Morel). Pear of first quality, ripening during 

 " August. Tree very productive. Fruit very large, often enormous. 

 "This Pear is yet a study, and Pomologists are not decided as to its mer- 

 " its. For ourselves, it is rather of the secondary quality, although good 

 " enough." But that which is merely " good enough" in Belgium, will 

 not satisfy us in America, who accept the better in a struggle for the best. 



Mr. Velette P. Townsend exhibited EarWs Bergamot, as usual, but in 

 perhaps superior developement. The Pear Committee restrain them- 

 selves from expressing the mingled hope and trust that possess them, 

 after a longer observation of this seedling. Their very confidence makes 

 them cautious. For this reason they have discouraged its exhibition 

 elsewhere, believing that it should first be thoroughly tested, in different 

 localities and soils, in this place of its nativity. It succeeds admirably in 

 Quinsigamond — yet it might fail upon Olean street, in competition with 

 the Belle Lucrative, to bear so early or for so many months in succes- 

 sion* 



* Reference is intended to the unique claim advanced by Mr. F. J. Kinney, in behalf of his Belle 

 Lucrative which commence so early and continue so late in bearing that, were they as good as fruitful, 

 he would consider "Pear" and "Belle Lucrative" synonymes, each of the other. Oh! the Ugly Duck- 

 ing! 



