REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 131 



enough to have " the earth yield her increase" in abundance ; that 

 increase should be made better in quality, and more desirable year 

 by year. 



Much of the improvement noticed in some of the leading- 

 varieties of vegetables during the past few 3'ears, is due to the 

 increased appreciation by cultivators of the importance of pure and 

 reliable seeds. This is a matter which we are convinced is receiving- 

 more attention than formerly. Some of the best specimens seen on 

 our tables, and which have taken first prizes the past season, have 

 been found in the collections of those contributors w^ho grow their 

 own seed, and in some instances make a specialty of some par- 

 ticular object, as the cauliflower, cabbage, melon, squash, celery, 

 onion, etc., or some one of the various root crops. Year after 

 3'ear, liy constant care in their selection, and by saving from only the 

 earliest and most perfect specimens, their stock of seeds has been 

 improved to such an extent as to be sought after from far and near, 

 and to command almost faljulous prices, if they should chance to 

 have a surplus to dispose of. Hence, it requires very little common 

 sense to perceive that a cultivator who is satisfied to gather his 

 seed carelessly and promiscuously, cannot successfully compete with 

 his more careful and prudent neighbor, either in the prices which 

 he receives for his products in the market, or in taking first i)rizes 

 at exhibitions. 



The occasional exhiliition of Lettuce, Cucumbers, Mushrooms, 

 Radishes, Dandelions, and other forced vegetables, previous to the 

 opening- exhiljition, were made in the Library Eoom of the Societ}'', 

 and assisted to make the weekly shows interesting during the 

 late winter and early spring months. For these contributions we are 

 mainly indebted to Josiah Crosby. Hovey & Co., James Comley, 

 Walter Kussell, and George Hill. 



At the Azalea Exhibition, April 8th, the display of forced vege- 

 tables was not so large as on some former occasions, but what was 

 wanting in quantity was more than made up in the superior qualit}- 

 of the specimens offered. At this exhibition, C. M. Atkinson 

 show^ed specimens of a new and very beautiful variety of Parsley, 

 distinct and very ornamental, and which j'our Committee consider a 

 decided acquisition. June 3d, we were favored with some very fine 

 samples of Asparagus, from John B. Moore and Samuel Hartwell, 

 INIr. Moore, as usual, taking the first prize. Large and superior 

 collections were also shown at this time by Josiah Crosb}^, AValter 



