1888.] TRANSACTIONS. 29 



more character than that well-known variety, while equally pro- 

 lific; and has the merit, whereof the Lucrative is signally deficient, 

 of not rotting at the core. Your Secretary has been cautious, 

 heretofore, in expressing a decided opinion of this variety, as he 

 first introduced it to 3'our notice. He has no hesitation now, in 

 pronouncing it, for those who love pears because of intrinsic 

 merit, a rare acquisition. 



As much might be said of EarWs JBergamot^ did it not inlierit 

 in measure more or less qualified, the tendency of the Lucrative 

 to rot at the core. Otherwise, it is of marked excellence and 

 approves itself worthy to bear the honored name of him by whom 

 it was originated. The Belle Lucrative has yielded much to 

 cross-fertilization. But none of its offspring have ever shown so 

 many and decided good qualities as that which is traced to this 

 union with the Autumn Bergamot, For its own sake and that 

 the variety created by John Milton Earle may not be wholly lost, 

 our members should see to it that its scions are widely diffused 

 and that its perpetuation is made an object of local pride and 

 care. 



And yet the postulate which assumes that there has been noth- 

 ing new, of signal high quality, to challenge your scrutiny and 

 favor, may be too sweeping. For it would exclude numerous 

 apples of recent origin, of which some, commended when first 

 shown, have been decided to merit encouragement and more 

 extended trial. Notable among these are the seedlings of our 

 associate, Thomas A. Dawson, and one which, during the current 

 Autumn, was placed upon our tables by Mr. John Hough. Both 

 climate and soil of Worcester County have approved themselves 

 congenial to the apple. The Baldwin was a sport of chance. 

 Shall there therefore never be another happy accident ? Ensur- 

 ing to our enjoyment and profit a fruit of fairer appearance, 

 richer flavor, and of less exhaustive fecundity ? Its develop- 

 ment miglit exact attention and patience, design and careful 

 semination being admitted within our category. It would not 

 answer to let cattle browse them. But such a variety, maturing 

 in Winter, is wanted in both the Home and Foreign Market ; and 

 fame and fortune will be the just reward of the man by whom 

 it is produced. 



