JANUARY. 39 



apples, since the same cannot be said of the late autumn and -n-inter apples 

 exliibited at the weekly exhibitions, subsequent to the annual exhibition. 



In consequence of the continuous rains in September and early part of 

 October, the apple was much improved in size, and we have seldom seen 

 finer specimens of the various varieties, than has been shown the few 

 weeks last past. 



Dec. 23. — Dr. Webb presented fine specimens of several varieties of ap- 

 ples, from one of the Kansas Missions, near the city of Lawrence. The 

 varieties were originally from this vicinity and from localities bordering on 

 Hudson River. Such as the Baldwin, Hubbardston, Fall Pippin and New- 

 town Pippin, were not in excess of size, and all were fully equal to like kinds 

 grown here. 



Few or no seedling apples have been presented during the season, 

 worthy of particular mention. 



Apricots. — The show in this department was so much inferior to 

 former years, that tlie Committee did not deem it advisable to. award a 

 single premium. 



Blackberries. — The " High Improved" were exhibited somewhat in 

 abundance, though lacking tlie size of those of former seasons, and we were 

 pleased to find a more general attention given to this, one of the most de- 

 sirable fruits of its season. The Committee have, from year to year, (since 

 its introduction,) urged a general cultivation, believing it eminently remu- 

 nerative. 



Cherries, with the exception of the "Black Tartarian," have been 

 wanting in size. This variety, as well as Mr. Walsh's Seedling, for some 

 reason, did not seem to have suffered so much as most other varieties, from 

 the continued dry season. The Committee had proposed to visit Mr. Walsh's 

 garden, during the season of the fruiting of the cherry, with the view of con- 

 sidering his cherry under the head of " Special Premium for the Loivell Gold 

 medal.'''' The Committee notified Mr. Walsh of their intention, and he had 

 promised to assign a day ; but in consequence of the ravages committed by 

 the birds, the visit was obliged to be deferred till another season. 



Some few seedlings have been offered to the notice of the Committee, 

 but, with the exception of one presented by J. S. Sleeper, being the same 

 which he has shown heretofore, little praise could be awarded. 



Currants. — Those exhibited and receiving a premium, were very supe- 

 rior ; so also were the White and Red Dutch, as shown by several contrib- 

 utors ; but as there is only assigned two premiums to this fruit, the a'ivards 

 were given, agreeably with a standing rule, to the contributor outside of the 

 Committee. 



Figs. — The contributions in this fruit are mainly from the same source, 

 year after year. 



Gooseberries. — The awards to this fruit were given for seedlings, 

 there not having been those of foreign variety equalling them. 



For some reason or other, the contributions of " Houghton's Seedling" 

 were not brought forward to compete, though we feel assured from past ex- 



