220 Massachusetts Horticultural Society. [Oct., 



apples, western New York can carry off the palm. It must be 

 remembered however, that the eastern part of Massachusetts has 

 a hard soil, and climate rather severe, and it is under these disad- 

 vantages that this fine display of fruits excites so much surprise 

 and pleasure in the minds of strangers. It is no use to speak of 

 Boston hospitality, when the phrase has become proverbial, we 

 therefore let it alone. Neither can we speak of the kindness and 

 attention of the officers of the society, and we know that they do 

 not wish it; it may be said however, that a stranger is very apt 

 in the presence of both members and officers, to forget that he is 

 a stranger, and has continually to spur up his memory on the sub- 

 ject, lest the great familiarity and kindness, should beget in him, 

 a behavior that would render him obnoxious to the charge that 

 he made himself a little too much at home. 



The annual dinner usually follows the close of the exhibition; 

 this year however, it was served up at the Treraont House, on 

 Friday evening, in what was called an informal manner. To 

 this feat there are assembled the officers and members of the soci- 

 ty, the delegates, and distinguished strangers who happen to be in 

 the city. It consisted this year of a serving of tea, coffee, meats, 

 a few cakes, and ice creams. The principal attractions in eata- 

 bles however, are the fruits, and this is as it should be. Here the 

 standard pears, peaches, grapes, and apples, load the broad and 

 ample dishes. But these usually attractive objects are forgotten 

 in the animated and instructive conversation of the members and 

 guests, and the essence of the treat is the rational part. We ought 

 however, not to forget some of the chemical products of the fruits, 

 which, though not very profusely, appear upon the side board. 



Another meeting is regularly held by the society for the pur- 

 pose of testing the value of such new varieties of fruit as may te 

 sent it. Delegates, and a few strangers are also invited. The 

 meeting is regularly organized, and its proceedings and judgments 

 duly recorded. The following is an imperfect abstract of the pro- 

 ceedings of the meeting held in the committee room. Mr. Trea- 

 surer Walker in the chair, and acting as President. 1. Fruits 

 submitted for trial, by tasting, which are distributed to all for an 

 expression of opinion. 



1. Apples. Hollow Crowned Apple. Good size, red, flesh 

 yellowish, skin rather tough, great bearer, uniformly good, and 

 obtains the remarkable price for a fall apple, of $1.33 cts. per 

 bushel. 



2. Fonting Apple. Beautiful red, presented by Mr. E. Smith. 

 Original tree dead. In eating from the middle of September to 

 the last of October. Flavor good, pleasant acid, valuable for 

 cooking as well as eating, takes a respectable rank. 



