FRUIT committee's REPORT. 35 



are entirely deceptive in estimating the profit of the crop. We may say 

 it is an extraordinary crop of an extraordinary tree, at an extraordinary 

 price. Probably the crop of this tree did not attain the size to command 

 any thing like the price named. Yet enongh is seen and known to war- 

 rant the statement that, with skilful and high culture, forced fruits are 

 a source of profit as well as highest enjoyment. It is to be hoped that 

 the number of contributors of forced Strawberries, Peaches and Grapes, 

 instead of diminishing may at least increase relatively with our popula- 

 tion. 



On the loth of June, the Jenny Lind Strawberry opened the list of 

 out-door fruits; a worthy herald of the continuous and bountifid supply 

 which fills out the year to its close. Other varieties are almost equally 

 early, the Boston Pine, for example, being exhibited on the same day 

 with the Jenny Lind. The Wilson has been an unj^opular fruit in our 

 markets, on account of its poor quality, but its productiveness is so 

 marked that it is gaining favor. The Jucunda is a fine looking fruit, yet 

 not equal to La Constante in this respect, while it has disappointed us as 

 to quality and productiveness, upon its first year of trial. But we trust 

 another trial and in various soils may demonstrate its claim to the high 

 praise it has received in other sections. 



The favorable opinion entertained last year of the Seedling Straw- 

 berry of Hon. M. P. Wilder, a cross between La Constante and Ilovey's 

 Seeding, and now designated as Xo. 60, is confirmed this season. The 

 fruit is of the largest size, of good flavor, in appearance a medium be- 

 tween its parents, not so polished or glazed, and with seeds more im- 

 bedded than in La Constante. An examination of the bed gave indica- 

 tions of vigor and decided productiveness. Mr. Wilder's other Seedling 

 was shown as Ko. 13, and more nearly resembles Hovey's Seedling. 

 Both varieties are promising, and we trust the former may prove worthy 

 of the name of the distinguished originator. Other new Strawberries 

 were exhibited, but did not appear to be noteworthy. La Constante 

 continues to be the finest exhibition fruit, though not sufficiently pro- 

 ductive to compete with the Hovey, Triomphe de Gand, Agriculturist 

 and Wilson in the market. 



The exhibition of Cherries is smaller than it should be. It will 'be 

 remembered that the Cherry was injured to a remarkable degree by the 

 severe winter of 1857. The present short supply is a result of this in- 

 jury. The remedy is in more extensive planting of young trees. We 

 cannot dispense with this fruit, although it may not hold out strong 

 inducements to plant for profit in the market. The leading varieties on 

 exhibition continue to be Black Tartarean, and Black Eagle. On the 

 13th of July, Mr. T. S. Pettingill exhibited a red Cherry resembling 

 Downer's Late, with rather more juice and spirit. 



Of Currants, La Yersaillaise is taking the first rank, both for exhibi- 



