EEPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FEUITS. 9 



Peaches. — Forced specimens of this fruit were exhibited through- 

 out May and June. Mr. Holbrook continues to distance all competi- 

 tion, sweejiing all the jirizes with his superb dishes, and iH'Oving con- 

 clusively that for a score or more of years the trees may be ke^Dt in 

 most perfect health, vigor and productiveness. The Early Crawford 

 continues to be the favorite kind for forcing. On the 28th of August, 

 Hale's Early and Early York received prizes for open culture, on the 

 same day that Early Crawford received the prize in cold house cult- 

 ure. On the same day, George A. Mudge exhibited a high colored 

 seedling resembling Early Crawford, which was equally good in quality 

 and possibly was more juicy. It may prove to be distinct and earlier. 

 September 4th, Early Crawford took the first prize. Mr. Mudge's seed- 

 ling took the second prize, and a seedling from J. B. Loomis, resembling 

 Cooledge's Favorite, took the third prize. J. T. Foster exhibited his 

 seedling, September 11th. It has been heretofore described and deserves 

 all the praise that has been given in previous reports. If it succeeds as 

 w^ell with other cultivators, as it has in the hands of Mr. Foster, it will 

 deserve the prospective prize, as the best seedling recently introduced. 

 Several other seedlings have been upon our tables, both early and late 

 kinds, some of which were of excellent quality. As the Peach usually 

 produces fruit from the stone in near resemblance to the parent, it is 

 recommended that cultivators plant the stones of good kinds in the spot 

 where the trees are wanted, in not over-rich soil, in order that a slow 

 and steady growth may be secured. Instead of forcing the Peach, as is 

 done in the warmer climate of !N'ew Jersey, taking but one or two 

 crops before destroying the orchard, it is undoubtedly a wiser course for 

 us to develop the normal habits of the tree, or indeed holding in check 

 its ordinary luxuriance and thereby securing the strength and hardihood 

 of age. One of the best seedlings we have seen was presented at the 

 Annual Exhibition by Mrs. G. L. Stearns of Brookline. It was of medi- 

 um size, possibly a seedling from George lY., of bright color, tiesh white, 

 melting and delicious. 



October 1st, James Cruickshank presented a Peach which he names 

 Hunter, of roundish, obovate form, with slight suture, large, well 

 colored on the sun side, a cling, exceedingly juicy, rich and high 

 flavored ; well deserving attention. 



The list of awards will indicate the exhibitions of Plums, Figs and 

 !N"ectarines, concerning which we have nothing new to note. 



Pears. — The first prize was awarded to Madeline, July 31st, the 

 specimens of which were fine, although the variety does not compare 

 with its early competitor. Doyenne d'ete, in qviality. A week later, and 

 again, August 14th, Beurre Giffard received the first prize, as it has for 

 several years past. Supreme de Quimper taking the second prize. After 

 this time, and until the Bartletts came in, Clapp's Favorite held a 



