FRUIT COMMITTEE S REPORT. 7 



interest in this fruit. Neither the Kittatinny, Wilson, nor Missouri 

 Mammoth have been exhibited, and we can form no opinion of their 

 merits. The interest in these fruits is by no means as extensive with us 

 as it is in the vicinity of New York and Philadelphia. Indeed it would 

 seem that the enthusiasm of that section was be3'ond the bounds of 

 moderation. There is a limit in the amount which can be cared for, 

 which limit was exceeded by many fruit growers in New Jersey the 

 past season, large quantities of strawberry and other small fruits being 

 allowed to perish for want of pickers. Notwithstanding the positive 

 assertions of those who have the plants to sell, there is also a limit to 

 the demand in our markets, which limit was passed this season in New 

 York, when strawberries were dull at eight cents per quart at whole- 

 sale. With the present price of labor they cannot be produced for any 

 such sum. The cultivated Blackberry, however, is not at all likely to 

 be so abundant as to overstock the market. It is also to be borne in 

 mind that the e3'stem for distributing fruit to consumers is by no means 

 perfect, and that an absolute dearth may exist in many places while a 

 glut may occur in other sections, for want of facilities in picking, for- 

 waixiing, or selling to consumers at anything like the wholesale rates. 



Gooseberries. — The Mountain Seedling was first among American 

 kinds. Very fine English Green Gage were exhibited by Mr. G. A. 

 Godbold, showing what are the possibilities with this fruit. 



Pears. — The early kinds, Madeline and Doyenne d'Ete appeared 

 August 1st. Beurre Giffard took the first prize August 15th. Rostiezer 

 was best August 29th, and again superior September 5. Clapp's Favorite 

 was also superior on this day, and its value and excellence is fully con- 

 firmed. It must be picked early, decidedly earlier than the Bartlett, 

 and invariably ripened for ten days in the house, in order to ol^tain its 

 good qualitj'. At the Annual Exhibition in September the collection 

 of Pears was large and fine, a credit to any state or country, though 

 perhaps not equal to what we have seen in former years. Among the 

 most attractive varieties, and of superior quality, we may name the 

 Bartlett, Clapp, Duchesse, Sheldon, Mt. Vernon, Bosc, Beurre Hardy, 

 Seckel, Louise Bonne, Beurre d'Anjou, Swan's Orange, Superfin, and 

 Beurre Clairgeau. A seedling Pear, from Albert Breese of Vermont, 

 much resembling the Glout Morceau, and yet fully rijie September 19th, 

 is worthy of trial. 



At the Monthly Exhibition, October 10th, the best single dish of 

 Pears was the Sheldon, Urbaniste was second, and Beurre Bosc was 

 third. For Winter Pears the award was made November 14th, the first 

 prize being taken by Caen de France, the second by Lawrence, and the 

 third by Beurre d'Aremberg. The Mount Vernon of Messrs. Walker 

 was also very fine, equal to any specimens we have ever before seen. 

 Dr. Shurtleff"'s Seedling Pear, General Grant, was again tested. It is of 



