IMPROVEMENT IN FRUITS. 463 



desirable. 1 In quality we have nothing superior, among 

 the new varieties, to the White Doyenne, the Brown 

 Beurre, and the St. Germain, which have been culti- 

 vated for at least two hundred years, and it is not 

 probable that we shall obtain any. The Seckel, a unique 

 variety, may form an exception to this remark ; and 

 possibly other new types may be produced. But though 

 we have nothing surpassing those old varieties, which, 

 whatever theory may be held as to the cause, have 

 so deteriorated as to be unworthy of cultivation, we 

 have a much larger number of equally good varie- 

 ties, extending over a much longer season, to take their 

 places. We may anticipate as probable, that the best 

 fruits now in cultivation will ultimately share the fate 

 of the fine old varieties which have been mentioned ; 

 and it should be the aim of the Society in the future 

 to encourage the production of new kinds which shall 

 take their places, as well as to extend the season by the 

 addition of earlier and later kinds of the highest quality. 

 What has been said of the pear will apply, to a less 

 extent, to the apple also. The strawberry and the 

 native grape have shown an advance, both as to the 

 number and quality of the varieties, such as could 



1 We have not the data for estimating the increase in the size of fruits 

 exhibited ; but it would doubtless have been more noticeable if it had been 

 less gradual. A Beurre Bosc weighing twelve and a quarter ounces, exhib- 

 ited by J. F. Allen in J850, was thought a very extraordinary specimen; but 

 in 1876 twelve fruits of this variety were shown averaging thirteen and one- 

 half ounces. The Bartletts have not increased to the same extent, or per- 

 haps culminated earlier. The dish which took the special prize of the 

 Stanwood cup in 1860 weighed eight and a half pounds, and a dish from 

 Josiah Stickney, in 1862, nine pounds and six ounces ; while in 1877, when 

 the show of this variety was unusually fine, the largest dish weighed but 

 nine pounds three and a quarter ounces. 



The remark in regard to pears that an increase in the size of most varie- 

 ties is not desirable will apply equally to roses. 



