10 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



marked prc-omiuence, Eostiezer being second in rank. The Clapp 

 appears to be very hardy, vigorous, and prolific, larger, and by some 

 pronounced better than the Bartlett, and as it requires early picking (in 

 order to avoid rotting at the core), and ripening in advance of the Bart- 

 lett, it certainly promises to be our most valuable summer variety. 

 September 11th, Bartletts were the best variet3^ 



At the Annual Exhibition we observed the effect of the gale of 

 September 8th. Most of the Peai-s were blown off at that time, before 

 the fruit had attained its full size. And yet we had a long list and unex- 

 pcclcdlj' creditable specimens. G. F. B. Lcighton of Norfolk, Ya., 

 exhibited extraordinary specimens of Louise Bonne, the largest wc 

 have ever seen, and also very superior Duchesse d'Angouleme. Thej' 

 were a surprise to us, and indicate that in chosen localities at the South 

 extraordinary size may be obtained. Still our home specimens indi- 

 cated by their solid, sterling excellence that we may hold rank with any 

 section for this fruit. Other sections inay produce larger fruit, as is the 

 case with Apples at the "West, but it is well known that the quality of 

 this large growth is inferior, light and thin. But we would not detract, 

 we must award generous praise to the fruit from Virginia, from Kansas, 

 and to the magnificent Glout Morceaus and Easters and other varieties 

 froin California. Only let us not be at all discouraged, but rather have 

 confidence that, making qiiality a test paramount to size, we may hope 

 to compete with the most favored sections. The seedling Pear of F. & 

 L. Clapp, called the Sarah, has been described in previous reports. It is 

 about of the size and may be compared Avith Belle Lucrative, but is more 

 sjirightly and colors up better, becoming a bright yellow; is a little later, 

 skin thin, quality very good; is well worthy of trial. Another seedling, 

 called the Nicholas, was exhibited by Messrs. Clapp, November 7th. 

 It was of medium size, obovate, stem long, skin thin, yellow, very juicy 

 and high flavored; a j^romising variety. Francis Dana presented a 

 seedling, November 13th, without a name, which was above medium 

 size, smooth and fair, yellowish; melting and very sweet, but not juicy. 

 For Fall varieties, Beurre Bosc received the first prize, Sheldon the 

 second, and Duchesse d'Angouleme the third. Of course this is not an 

 absolute test of the relative value of the kinds, since one may have had 

 better culture than another, yet we believe, the list of awards is sug- 

 gestive and to considerable degree a guide to planters. Making Down- 

 ing our guide, your committee rejected Beiii-re d'Anjou as a winter 

 variety, for the prize of November 13th. Yet it was later than the 

 Lawrence this season, and may with ordinary care always be kept until 

 mid-winter. We have seen it in superb condition at Easter. It is, 

 therefore, proposed to regard this inestimable, inconiparal)le variety, 

 among the late kinds, as a winter fruit. This season Lawrence received 

 the first prize and Dana's Ilovey the second. 



