58 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



best varieties more than ten years ago, before the organiza- 

 tion of the Society. We do not make these remarks with 

 any disposition to find fault with what was accompHshed in 

 this direction at this session, but as general ideas upon the 

 propriety of requiring the personal experience of every culti- 

 vator, before deciding the merits of a fruit. 



The Society held their meeting, by invitation of the Mas- 

 sachusetts Horticultural Society, in their Hall in Boston, on 

 the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September last. The meeting was 

 opened with an Address from the President, upon the various 

 subjects connected with the culture of fruit, and particularly 

 the production of new varieties from seed ; upon which point 

 he gave some good advice, urging upon the members the 

 wise counsel of Van Mons, given to one of his correspond- 

 ents : — " Sow your seed, and persevere without interruption, 

 and you will obtain even better fruit than mine." 



A committee was then chosen, who reported the order of 

 business for the session. 



First in order was the reception of State Reports, which, 

 on motion of the Chairman of the General Committee, were 

 referred to the Secretary for publication. Some of them are 

 interesting documents, which we shall occasionally notice as 

 we find room. The principal portion of the Pennsylvania 

 Report has already been given in our pages, under the pro- 

 ceedings of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. 



Next came the discussion upon fruits, beginning with the 

 pear, which was assigned for the first day. A list of varieties, 

 recommended for rejection by the State Committee of Mas- 

 sachusetts, was then read, and on motion of C. M. Hovey, it 

 was voted that every name not objected to by three members 

 should be added to the rejected list. This list embraces 

 about sixty sorts, a large part of which have been considered 

 worthless for years ; the kinds retained for further trial, were 

 Dumortier, Duchess of Mars, Figue of Naples, Flemish Bon 

 Chretien, Hacon's Incomparable, March Bergamot. Knight's 

 Monarch, and Styrian. 



The list of varieties recommended by the same commit- 

 tee, for general cultivation, was then taken up. 



