1879] REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 39 



Dix (weighing six pounds and one-fourth ounce,) and of Onon- 

 daga (turning the scales at ten pounds iive and one-fourth 

 ounces), and deny, — if you can and will, — that complete 

 development should, above all, be required by a Horticultural 

 Society that would be true to its mission ! 



All this is possible with Weekly Exhibitions. That it is not 

 of more than qualified attainment, in any other way, you well 

 know from unsatisfactory experience in the past. The Annual 

 Autumnal Exhibitions heaped up a profusion of Flowers, 

 Fruits, and Vegetables, — just as they c(3uld be had. "Beggars 

 must not be choosers ! " is an old saw, and modern instance. 

 You called for them : — and they were brought. It is no wonder, 

 that, having at heart the best interests of Horticulture, you soon 

 tired of a method of display which was only not chaos because 

 not absolutely .formless and void. You are now doing well. 

 Why not let well enough alone .-' It is the consistent and 

 matured opinion of your Secretary that you would only go 

 further to fare worse. 



Your older Members, who were privileged in a personal 

 acquaintance with John Milton Earle, have been gratified to 

 behold, during the past September, some superb specimens of 

 his seedling Pear which, during his life-time and with his con- 

 sent, your Secretary \^diS permitted to name — Earle' s Bergaviot. 

 The thanks of all lovers of good fruit are due to our associate, 

 Mr. Velette P. Townsend, whose hearty appreciation led him to 

 procure scions whereby the new variety was doubtless saved 

 from extinction. No better nor more appropriate monument 

 could be erected to the memory of our deceased friend than 

 this which he thus innocently reared for himself. The speci- 

 mens shown this year, manifested their descent from the Belle 

 Lucrative, in form and abundant juiciness ; while their color 

 was vivid enough for the Beurre Montgeron. The lack of a 

 decided flavor, which is the chief deficiency of the Belle Lucra- 

 tive, is supplied in its character of Bergamot. These Reports 

 have heretofore indulged in high anticipations based upon con- 

 fidence in Mr. Earle' s rare judgment and bona fides. Those 



