164 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



testing. By adopting this course, and requiring full statements 

 in relation to the fruit, character of the stock, <fec., any new 

 and really valuable variety would be soon brought to public 

 notice. 



Several new and apparently good varieties were presented 

 for the first time this year ; and while your committee noticed 

 with pleasure these new acquisitions, they regret the action of 

 the trustees in withholding the usual appropriation for gratui- 

 ties, which deprived them of the privilege of giving more 

 substantial evidence of their satisfaction. 



In making the awards of premiums, your committee decided, 

 and I think very properly, that those awards should be in favor 

 of competitors presenting the best specimens of those varieties 

 known to be most valuable for general cultivation. This rule 

 they endeavored to carry out in their decisions, which were 

 unanimous. 



Another suggestion I would make is in regard to polishing, 

 or rubbing. While many varieties cannot be improved by this 

 process, as the Blue Pearmain or the Russet, otliers, like the 

 Gravenstein, the Porter or Maiden Blush, may, by this simple 

 process, be made to present a much better appearance for the 

 table, or even for market purposes.^ What I would propose in 

 this matter is, the removal of all restrictions ; leaving it 

 optional, with competitors to polish or not, as they may choose. 

 We should certainly question the good taste of the man who 

 would present his bullock or his horse uncurried, or exhibit 

 his swine unwashed from their naturally-loved wallow. With 

 the same propriety, as it appears to me, we may require that 

 vegetables be presented as taken from the ground, as that 

 all apples be exhibited without any effort to improve their 

 appearance. 



Another simple matter to which I would call attention is, the 

 number of specimens of a particular variety. Any person who 

 has experienced the difficulty of placing twelve oblong or 

 porter-shaped apples upon the round j)lates commonly used, 

 will agree with me, that eleven woflld be a more convenient 

 number, so far as arrangement is concerned. While it may be 

 well to have an extra apple or two, if in eating condition, to ho 

 tested by the connnittee, I think the adoj)tion of eleven instead 

 of twelve, the number now required to be placed u})on a j)late. 



