REPORT OF COMMITTEE OX FRUITS. 7 



It seems to be clear that in our rich garden soils both the Peach and 

 the Cherry will make too rank growth and are very liable not only to 

 the loss of fruit buds, but also to the destruction of immature wood and 

 the poisonous influences which result therefrom. A lower diet is 

 recommended for the Cherry and Peach than we have been accustomed 

 to give. A seedling Cherry presented by C. E. Grant resembled Down- 

 er's Late, biit was more tender and juicy and was of sufficient merit to 

 receive the Silver Medal. 



CuKRANTS. — La "Versaillaise is becoming- the recognized prize kind 

 and the leading market variety. Dana's White is very large and beau- 

 tiful in appearance, i^^o new kinds have appeared on our tables the past 

 season. 



Raspberries. — Remarkably fine specimens of the Hornet were 

 exhibited by William H. Barnes, July 17th. This is a very large, long 

 and pointed fruit, firm enough for carriage, of clear bright red color and 

 is said to be prolific. It promises well. J. B. Moore exhibited superior 

 dishes of the Franconia, large and of better quality than Knevet's Giant. 

 The absence of the Clarke from our exhibitions will be noted. The 

 impression prevails that it is not productive. Another season will 

 decide. J. F. JoUs of Providence, R. I., exhibited a variety imder the 

 name of ^N^arraganset, which he said w^as not up to its usual size. It 

 did not appear to advantage, in comparison with other kinds on the 

 table. The Philadelphia, Catawissa, and the Black Caps are not often 

 seen on our tables, because they sutler by comparison with other varie- 

 ties. Yet the Philadelphia is so hardy and prolific that it has a value 

 for the family that requires quantity as the first condition. Catawissa, 

 on the other hand, is one of the most tender and high flavored of any 

 on the list, and by proper treatment can be made to yield such a boun- 

 tiful crop in September, when all other small fruits are gone, that it 

 deserves a place in every garden. For a Fall croj), the canes should be 

 cut back nearly to the ground in April, and the late crop will be upon 

 the new growth. But what can we say for the Black Caps? In good 

 conscier.ce. not much. They are hardy, they are very productive, they 

 are shining black and very pretty, they have an agreeable wild flavor. 

 But they are small, seedy, dry — they are almost beyond the power of 

 sugar and cream to help them. The open market is a rough, but it is a 

 pretty sure test of value, and our Boston market refuses to take the 

 Black Caps. We speak the more decidedly in regard to this fruit 

 because of the extravagant praise which the so called Doolittle's Im- 

 proved has received in the Middle States. We have had on our tables 

 white, or yellow varieties of the Black Cap, but they are not an improve- 

 ment, either in quality or color. Davidson's Thornless is an improve- 

 ment in the respect of being comparatively free from thorns. We have 

 not fruited the Mammoth Cluster, in this section, and we can only hope 



