10 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1892. 



cultivate a small crop in the open ; force perhaps a little more ; 

 and consume it out of season, going without it perforce when it 

 is most wanted whether for relish or garnish. At Christmas, 

 but two years since, not a stalk could be had for money ; love 

 was not tendered. Ought not Horticulture to make wiser, 

 ampler provision? A first-rate article, whether of fruit or veg- 

 etable, will never lack a purchaser, if so be that he can find it 

 without having to chase over half the town. The lessons taught 

 by this Society, at its successive exhibitions, have had their 

 effect. Our people have learned that a solid Tomato may as 

 well be smooth and round ; and they let alone such as are dis- 

 torted and shapeless. They have discovered that a mealy 

 Potato need not be knotted and knurly ; perfect form saving 

 waste, and suiting the pocket as well as the eye. We hasten to 

 secure the barrel of Apples, whereof each choice specimen is 

 the counterpart of another, all being perfect. For myself I 

 can say that, for years past, I have been unable to buy, whether 

 home-grown or brought from Western New York, a perfect bar- 

 rel of such Apples as were common enough before Worcester 

 became a city. Some of you may smile, and exclaim, with that 

 extreme diffidence so characteristic of members of this Society, 

 "Oh! if he had but seen mine !" But, setting aside self-com- 

 placency, and owning up in that frank confession which is good 

 for the soul, is there a Pomologist present who dare challenge 

 my assertion after an inspection of his marketable product by 

 our vigilant Judge on Fruits ! There is not a man that hears 

 me (and woman has her right to be included!) that does not 

 know how strong is the temptation to eke out a first-class eleven 

 by the addition of a specimen with a slight blemish, in the hope 

 that it may be overlooked? I know how it is myself. Now 

 just make the computation. In a family as large as my own 

 (and I am sorry that such are growing out of fashion, or capac- 

 ity? in Massachusetts), four or five barrels of apples will save 

 from both butcher and doctor. But they should be the fruit 

 itself; unimpaired, and not repugnant from presence or trace 

 of worms. Is aught but diligence requisite to meet this want? 

 Is anything save assiduous care, either from ourselves or our 



