462 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ture has a greater advance been made than in the 

 improvement of the native grape. But it must be 

 admitted that in 1829 the cultivation of the foreign 

 grape out-doors was much more successful than now, 

 though this success continued but a few years. Of the 

 apricot, nectarine, and peach, also, specimens were pro- 

 duced much more freely than now. 



We find no mention whatever of vegetables as shown 

 at the anniversary of 1829 ; while in 1873, 1874, and 

 1875, the Society's lower hall was nearly filled with the 

 finest specimens of the most improved kinds, in great 

 profusion and variety. 



Having compared the earlier exhibitions of the Society 

 with the later, let us consider how the work accom- 

 plished by the Society meets the purposes and antici- 

 pations formed when it was founded. At that time the 

 cultivation of fruits took precedence in interest over 

 that of flowers ; and it is to be expected that the near- 

 est approach to a realization of the views of the found- 

 ers of the Society should be seen in this department, 

 and especially in the pear, which has always been the 

 favorite fruit with the members. We may say that 

 the work of the Society as respects this fruit has been 

 measurably accomplished. The work of testing and 

 selection has progressed to that point where all the vari- 

 eties most desirable for cultivation are well known, and 

 their characteristics thoroughly ascertained. The devel- 

 opment of the best specimens in the different varieties 

 may be said to have approached, if not to have reached, 

 perfection; and, if any improvement is possible, an 

 increase in the size of most varieties is certainly not 



introduced before that time by Major Adlum, who procured it from a gar- 

 den in Clarksburg, Md. 



