REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 95 



with an opportuuit}' to test two seedlings raised by B. S. Fox of 

 San Jose, Cal., some of whose seedlings were noticed in our last 

 report. The Wilder is large, oblong ovate pyriform ; dull, greenish 

 yellow, with greenish dots and tracings of russet ; very sweet and 

 rich. Barry is larger than the preceding, irregular oblong p3'riform, 

 resembling an obtuse Vicar of Wiukfield, with a suture, and the eye 

 towards one side, as often found in that variety ; skin orange yel- 

 low, nearly covered with russet in large patches and rich tracings ; 

 flesh exceedingly melting and juicy and very sweet and rich, but 

 without high flavor. Both of these varieties were tested the latter 

 part of December. It is noticed that our finest pears when culti- 

 vated in C'alifornia lose the flavor which distinguishes them here, but 

 gain in sweetness, and it will be of much interest to ascertain 

 whether these very sweet varieties, of California origin, will acquire 

 flavor when grown here. 



Native Grapes. — The season has been very favorable for this 

 fruit, and the exhibitions have been very good. September 2d, 

 good specimens of Moore's Early, Israella, and Hartford Prolific 

 were shown. The first prize was awarded for Moore's Early. Sep- 

 tember 9th, Moore's Early, Norwood, Norfolk Muscat, and Dela- 

 ware, were the four varieties receiving the prizes, and in the order 

 named. 



At the Annual Show nearly all of the premiums were awarded, 

 and most of the fruit was above the average of the last few years. 

 The dish most worthy of special notice, was the Concord shown by 

 Nathan Blanchard. The bunches were very large, well shouldered ; 

 berries of good size, well ripened, and covered with a heavy bloom. 

 The Committee unanimously, and with much pleasure, awarded to 

 this dish the first prize for the best Concord. At this exhibition 

 the first prize for ' ' any other variety " was awarded for Moore's 

 Early. The exhibition of late varieties, on the 7th of October, was 

 very good — much better than the previous ^ear. On this day, Na- 

 than Blanchard again exhibited some of his extra fine Concords, 

 and received the first prize ; the six bunches on this day weighed 

 six pounds and four ounces, and were equal in all respects to those 

 shown at the Annual Exhibition. Mr. Blanchard said that last 

 year he picked from twenty-five to thirty pounds from one vine, 

 and that weight in twenty bunches ; but this season the bunches 

 were smaller in consequence of the early freeze, and consequent un- 

 ripeness of the wood and buds, of the autumn of 1875. The bunches 



