4 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



approach to the demands of nature as is possible; and tliat, under 

 seriously adverse circumstances, we be content if we can secure a 

 sufficiency for home supply, and this of moderate quality, and never 

 allow ourselves to judge by our meagre results that fruit culture as a 

 business, and under the best conditions, is a failure. 



In noting the novelties and the varieties which have come under our 

 observation we take them in the order of the season. The exhibition of 

 forced fruits was more limited than it should be: the Peaches of 

 Mr. C. S. Holbrook being the only superior specimens, and of these 

 it is sufficient praise to say that they maintained their r.ccustomed 

 standard of excellence. We may safely say they are a permanent and 

 reliahle crop. 



The Strawberry, our most humble, is also one of our most important 

 fruits. As an early acid for the system its importance cannot be over- 

 estimated, and its ease of management, not requiring tAventy or thirty 

 feet of ladder, in order to be reached, like the coy cherry for example, 

 also its quick and abundant return of results, — these are considerations 

 which place it in the front I'ank. Hovey's Seedling maintains its 

 position among market men. Wilson is steadily gaining upon Boston 

 prejudice, in spite of its poor quality. No other variety is so prolific, 

 hardy and uniform, and sugar does in a measure correct its quality. 

 Jenny Lind is earliest, and yet, for some reason, has fallen into disuse. 

 La Constante and Triomphe de Gand are kept for the prizes, the latter 

 also being retained* by many as a general crop. Jucunda disappointed 

 the expectations of most on its tirst year of trial. This season it 

 has gained friends, and many good judges regard it favorably. 

 Agriculturist is poor in quality and appearance, is unj^roductive, and 

 win take its place on the rejected list. A seedling, raised by Mr. Wm. 

 Underwood, from La Constante, and of the t3'^pe of its parent, was 

 more vigorous and more hardy, though smaller, than La Constante, 

 and may prove to be desirable. A fine dish of Hautbois was exhibited 

 by Mr. J. B. Moore, asking for a name. Though unusually large it 

 was probably La Belle Bordelaise, a variety of which many would be 

 fond, and which deserves more extended culture for home use. 



By invitation from Col. Wilder, 3'our Committee visited his estate on the 

 7th of July, for the purpose of inspecting his beds of seedling Strawberries, 

 especially the one which he has designated as No. 13. Without dwelling 

 upon the many-objects of interest and the bountiful hospitality of our 

 ho.:it, we confine our report to the Strawberries in question. We found 

 the seedlings growing in several locations in beds from one to three 

 years old, and in i:)roximity to standard varieties, such as the Ilovey, 

 the La Constante, and the Triomphe de Gand. All the beds seemed to 

 be under good but not extraordinary culture; the older kinds yielding 

 only an average crop. Seedling No. CO compared very fiivorably with 



