S6 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The season of 1876 was void of extremes, in either moisture or 

 dryness, heat or cold ; and, owing to this favorable condition of the 

 season, we have been blessed with an abundant crop of almost 

 every kind of fruit, and at very moderate prices, which has con- 

 tributed much to supply the wants and comforts of all classes of 

 our citizens, the poor as well as the rich, in this year of great 

 depression and want. 



Stkawberries. — The only exhibitions of forced strawberries were 

 from R. Oldreive, March 4th, and George Cruickshanks, March 

 25th, and these in ver^^ limited quantities. Strawberries grown in 

 frames under glass were exhibited by Charles Garfield, May 27th 

 and June 3d, 10th, and 17th; by Marshall P. Wilder, June 10th, 

 and b}^ C. E. Grant, June 17th. The crop of strawberries was in- 

 jured in some places b}- the vines being winter-killed, but not to 

 any great extent. The exhibition of this fruit has been above the 

 average of seasons, but not as good as last year. 



The first prize for the best four quarts, at the Rose Show, June 

 21st, was awarded to John B. Moore, for his seedling. General 

 Sherman. Mr. Moore makes the strawberry a specialty on his 

 farm, and it will be noticed by reference to the list of awards that 

 he has received a large proportion of the prizes for this fruit. We 

 wish to call particular attention to his collection, as it will be seen 

 that he has been interested in raising seedlings, and ver}' successful. 

 Among those raised by him and put upon the market, are the Gen- 

 eral Sherman, a very large and handsome berry, and of good qual- 

 ity. Caroline, a description of which has been given in a previous 

 report, is also a large and handsome berry ; quality first rate, and a 

 very abundant bearer. We have seen it growing in abundance on 

 Mr. Moore's grounds in Concord in 1875 and 1876, and consider it 

 the l)est and most valuable seedling originated by him. Grace, 

 another of his seedlings, is l)y some considered the best in quality 

 of any he has raised ; but in other respects not as valuable. The 

 Committee having visited Mr. Moore's grounds, in the last straw- 

 berry season, found the same order and neatness in his beds, and 

 extending to every part of his farm, as was noticed in a previous 

 visit. These points are worthy of imitation ly all who desire to 

 grow small fruits with success. 



June 27th, at the Strawberry Show, the first prize for the best 

 four quarts, was awarded to Horace Eaton, for President Wilder, 

 and this was considered one of the handsomest baskets of straw- 



