8 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that it will so far fulfil the descriptions of size and juiciness as to 

 redeem the class. 



Blackberries. — "Wilson's Early received the first prize. Under the 

 superior culture of Messrs. Clapp it was much larger than the Dor- 

 chester, which it resembles in appearance, a noble fruit, but, we regret 

 to add, more acid than even the Lawton. It is undoubtedly early and 

 a valuable market kind. Kittatiny was not exhibited. Missouri Mam- 

 moth, judged by the experience of one season, is small and utterly 

 worthless. At present it certainlj' apj^ears to be an imposition. On 

 the 27th of August the "Wachuset was exhibited by K. E. Fletcher. It 

 has the appearance of the Lawton, but was not as large; the quality was 

 fair and the impression produced was favorable. It seems to be unu- 

 suallj' hardy, is undoubtedly productive, and its comparative freedom 

 from thorns will probably make it desirable. The Sable Queen was not 

 exhibited, but coming under the observation of some of your commit- 

 tee, disapi^ointed them, both as to size and color. Our means of judg- 

 ing were meagre and therefore we give no oj^inion as to its probable 

 value. "We infer from the advertisements of the introducer of this 

 variety that he does not desire our opinion in regard to it. But it seems 

 to us to be a duty to the public that your committee should obtain infor- 

 mation in regard to evexy new candidate for joublic favor and freely to 

 exi^ress a candid judgment. And we may also be permitted to add that 

 we think it equally the duty of every introducer of a new variety to 

 submit the same to the judgment of ijroperly constituted local commit- 

 tees. Doubtless, in the present instance, the significance of the lan- 

 guage used was not fully realized, but it must be clear, upon a moment's 

 reflection, that to speak of the " opinions of patron saints in horticult- 

 ure " as of no value, in the introduction of new kinds, is to assist in 

 opening the flood gates of imposition upon a too credulous public. Let 

 the public learn wisdom, and invariably demand that every candidate for 

 favor shall have passed the regularly appointed tribunals for judgment. 

 C. II. Lake presented, August 21st, a Blackberry called the Agawam 

 which ai^peared to be very prolific but lacking in quality and size. 



Gooseberries. — An English variety, supposed to be Green Walnut, 

 received the first prize. These foreign sorts do not, however, deserve 

 extended culture, as they are so often a failure. Remarkably pro- 

 ductive branches of a fruit resembling the Mountain were exhibited by 

 S. C. Buswell of Exeter, N". II., the fruit and foliage of which were so 

 fine as to indicate that it may possibly be a new and valuable seedling. 

 A similar kind, a seedling raised by Josiah Newhall, was exhibited the 

 same day. Mr. Newhall says it is decidedly more vigorous and the 

 fruit larger than the Mountain. In his good judgment it is in all respects 

 superior to the Mountain, and your committee are inclined to think he 

 has a valuable seedling. 



