1874.] REPORT OF SECRETARY. 53 



natural rivalry, against the Beurre d' Anjou or Winter Nelis. A radical 

 change of this arrangement was indispensable. You are to be congratu. 

 lated for having applied a remedy immediately upon perception of its 

 necessity. 



In his Annual Keport for A. D. 1872, your Secretary urgently advised 

 " the abolition of the existing system of classification ('of Apples and 

 •' Pears') as meaningless and unprofitable, and the substitution therefor 

 " of a direct competition between the different lots of the same variety." 

 In his Report for A. D. 1873, repeating and enforcing that advice, he 

 continued: " JS'ow if there were any recognized standard of quality by 

 which to determine the pre-eminence of a particular variety, our present 

 system of classification might not be so objectionable. But, while one 

 member of the Committee may find the Belle Lucrative grateful to his 

 palate, another would rank it as insipid and utterly without merit. To 

 many, the chief, if not only, recommendation of the Duchesse is its size. 

 Take, however, the case of two lots, of different or partially the same 

 varieties, yet all of conceded excellence, and what test shall be applied 

 to decide between them? What comjDarison can be instituted between 

 the Lawrence and Winter Nelis, each unsurpassed of its kind! Who 

 shall decide that the Beurre d' Anjou is a better Pear than the Beurre 

 Bosc, or vice versa ? The truth is, that the whole theory is radically 

 vicious, and justice becomes impossible of administration under the con- 

 sequent practice." 



The Committee, appointed to establish a Schedule of Premiums, recog- 

 nizing the force of the argument, resolved so to shape their action as to 

 give it at least partial effect. They therefore abolished a multiplicity of 

 "classes" among Pears, retaining but two (2) of them at either the Sep- 

 tember or October Exhibition, without counting the "Xew Species," of 

 which specimens were scarcely expected. The result is simply wonder- 

 ful, more than justifying the most sanguine anticipations of your Sec- 

 retar3\ 



