1862.] REPORT ON PEARS. 53 



There were numerous competitors whose contributions were specially worthy 

 of commendation, if the limits of this report admitted. The collection of John 

 M. Earle is entitled to notice on account of containing the largest number of 

 varieties. It should be stated that, by the rule no separate premium could 

 be awarded for any plate of Pears, when the collection of which it was a part, 

 had received a premium. In several cases the premiums for separate varieties 

 were awarded when the specimens were not equal to those in premium collec- 

 tions. Having discharged, to the best of their ability, the ordinary duty of 

 the Committee, in attempting to discriminate where the difTerence is slight, we 

 find by the liberality of the Trustees, the extraordinary duty of awarding the 

 special premium of twenty-five dollars offered for the twelve best Bartlett Pears 

 grown by the contributor in the County of Worcester. There were 12 entries 

 made for the premium, the names of the competitors then unknown to the 

 Committee. An attractive collection it was, showing how much high cultiva- 

 tion can do. The Bartlett, always popular, pleasant to the eye and taste, 

 encouraging the new beginner by bearing early and full, seemed to have 

 become aroused by the preference shown in the offering of this special pre- 

 mium as its award, and not satisfied with an unusual swell, enlarging his 

 rotundity, had also elongated himself to an unheard of extent. All the entries 

 for this pi'emium were deserving of praise, but there were two plates, numbered 

 16 and 20, between which the contest evidently lay. They each presented 

 strong points; they were evidently both of great weight. No. 16 contained 

 four Pears superior in size to any of No. 20. The twelve Pears of No. 16 

 weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce. The twelve Pears of No. 20 weighed 7 pounds 

 and 12 ounces. While no single Pears of this plate were equal in size to 

 some of No. 16, yet they were of more uniform size and superior in fairness 

 and color. Had there been a great difference in the weight, the Committee 

 would have been governed by that, but the difference of only five ounces in 

 one hundred and twenty-nine ounces, we thought was balanced by the greater 

 uniformity and fairness of the others ; and after much consideration, the Com- 

 mittee being unable to arrive at a, satisfactory result as to the superior merits 

 of either, decided to recommend the division of the premium : $12.50 to John 

 C. Ripley, No. 16 ; $12..50 to E. S. Stebbens, No. 20— with the recommenda- 

 tion that a further trial of their respective merits shall take place at the next 

 Annual Exhibition. 



It should be added to the report that after the announcement of the premi- 

 ums, Mr. Ripley and Mr. Stebbens, with great liberality, relinquished their 

 special premium, in order that it might be competed for by all members at the 

 . next Annual Exhibition. 



F. H. DEWEY, Chairman. 



