FRUIT committee's REPORT. 11 



not brought into comparison with other kinds. If it shall prove to he 

 early, hfvrdy, vigorous and productive, it will be valuable. 



Mr. James Cruikshank again exhibited the Fedora, a seedling of the 

 Chasselas type, which he regards as more capable of enduring our 

 climate. It has been cultivated in Chelsea for some years past. This 

 year was a severe test for it, and its appearance was creditable under 

 adverse circumstances. I^. B. "White exhibited a seedling resembling 

 Rogers No. 4, not ripe, but large, and sweeter than was expected. This 

 may improve in a favorable season, and is worth}' of careful trial. As 

 before, stated, some fine bimches of the Delaware were exhibited, espe- 

 cially those of Mr. W. H. Barnes. The vines of Mr. S. G. Damon, of 

 this variety, were healthy, and remarkably well loaded with clusters. 

 Still, Ave can only recommend the Delaware for positions having the 

 shelter of buildings, or of high, close fences. A small bunch of Eumelan 

 was received from Dr. Grant, Oct. 7th. It was well set, with black, 

 round ben-ies, of medium size; skin thin, but of much strength, pulp 

 melting, modei'ately juicy, a very agreeable sub-acid with no foxiness, 

 but not of high flavor. Its value depends upon the three essential qual- 

 ities for our climate, namely, health, earliness and productiveness. 



Foreign Grapes were in good supply and of good quality at the 

 Annual Exhibition, but there has been a decided lack of Forced Grapes. 

 This decline in interest is to be regretted, since there is no fruit which is 

 more easy of culture, and none other which attains to the highest excel- 

 lence in quality under glass. 



"We call attention to the award of the special prize of .^60 to Messrs. 

 F. & L. Clapp, for the best seedling Pear, the " Clapp's Favorite," after 

 a trial of five years. 



Respecting the change in the award of premiums on special days, and 

 also the monthly exhibitions in the fall, your Committee are confirmed in 

 the favorable opinion expressed last year. "We anticipate an increased 

 interest in the exhibitions during the following season. 



With the annexed Award of Premiums, this Report is respectfully 

 submitted, by 



W. C. Strong, 



P. B. HOYEY, 



E. A. Brackett, 



D. T. Curtis, 



a. c. bowditch, 



Heryey Dayis, 



John M. Merrick, Jr., 



Fruit Committee. 



