60 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES, 



For the Year 1860. 

 BY DANIEL T. CURTIS, CHAIRMAN. 



In conformity to the By-Laws of the Society, we offer our report for the 

 past year. Your Committee feel gratified at the renewed interest mani- 

 fested during the past season, as evinced by the healthy competition among 

 contributors for the prizes in this department, and look forward with confi- 

 dence to increased efforts in the future. 



The kitchen garden is often regarded, by those who may be following 

 larger and more complicated pursuits of life, as a spot hardly deserving 

 notice ; yet to the intelligent and reflecting mind, what place can be made 

 more attractive ? No land pays a higher rate of interest than a well-man- 

 aged kitchen garden, and the quantity of vegetables it may be made to 

 produce, under proper cultivation, is really astonishing. The eye, as well 

 as the other senses, cannot fail to be pleased by a well-stocked vegetable 

 garden ; it not only contributes largely to good living, but also to healthy 

 exercise and refinement. 



The cultivation of vegetables for the markets of large cities is one of 

 those branches of agricultural science that requires a very practical mind. 

 Where do we find this better illustrated, than at the well-conducted market 

 gardens in this vicinity, — the Williams', the French's, the Coolidge's, the 

 Crosby's, the Stone's, the Rand's, the Stickney's, and others in the environs 

 of Boston that have contributed so much to the interests of the Society, 

 and we may truly say of the Commonwealth, during the past thirty years, 

 by developing the science of agriculture ? 



During the season there have been but few new varieties offered for 

 examhiation, and these may be left until another season for further trial. 

 The varieties placed on the tables were a " Hybrid sweet corn," raised by 

 A. D.Webber; the "Honolulu Nectarine squash," by Josiah Newhall; and 

 " Perfected tomato," by George Newhall. 



The " Victoria Marrow pea," grown by Bowen Harrington, and exhibited 

 for the first time this season, is one that we judge worthy the attention of 

 every cultivator of this delicious vegetable. As to flavor, we think it has 

 no equal among the intermediate or late varieties. Mr. Harrington remarks 

 that it is very productive, but not as early as the " Champion of England." 



By referring to the premiums awarded, it will be seen that the " Early 

 Daniel O'Rourke pea " is one of the earliest and most productive ; a well- 

 grown peck measure of them, even full, will weigh in the pods about seven 

 and a half pounds, thus giving, perhaps, a standard weight to early varie- 

 ties. During the season every variety placed on your tables has been in 

 every respect of superior quality. 



The cultivation of rhubarb is extensive, and the prominent varieties are 

 the "Myatt's Linnaeus" (early), and "Victoiia" (late). The "Cahoon" 



