70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



At the weekl}' exhibitions, during the season, the specimens of the vari- 

 ous kinds of vegetables, offered in competition, have been remarkably 

 fine. Among the new varieties to which the attention of j^oiir commit- 

 tee has been called may be mentioned, as worthy of notice, the "Dwarf 

 Wax-podded Bean," contributed by Mr. F. Burr, Jr., and described by 

 him as follows: '' The plant rarely attains a height of more than ten or 

 twelve inches, pods rather short and broad, somewhat flattened, of a 

 delicate creamy or waxen white color in all stages of growth. The size 

 of the plant considered, no variety excels it in ijroductiveness. From 

 top to bottom the stalks are literally crowded with pods, which, instead 

 of being develojied in succession, are rijiened off together. As a ' snap 

 short ' or string bean it is recommended for cultivation. Plants from 

 seeds sown May 20th afforded pods for the table abont the middle of 

 July; and the crop was ready for harvesting the 20th of August." Mr. 

 Burr also exhibited a new beet, called the Egj'ptian, with the appear- 

 ance of which your committee Avere favorably impressed. In form it 

 resembles the Purple Top Flat Turnip; color, a deep purplish black; 

 leaves, few and short ; matures early, and, as a table Beet, is said to 

 surpass all others in sweetness and delicacj' of flavor. It is considered 

 an acquisition. 



The specimens of Egg Plant exhibited, both at the weekly and at the 

 Annual Exhibition, by several conti'ibutors, were unusually fine. The 

 Black Pekin, recently introduced, seems to be a general favorite with 

 cultivators, and has almost entirely superseded the variety known as 

 the Long Purple, being as early and much the superior of the latter in 

 quality. 



A new h^'brid Sweet Corn was exhibited by the originator, J. B 

 Moore of Concord, a cross between the two best early and late varieties, 

 " Crosby's Early " and " Burr's Improved;" its habit has not, however, 

 become permanently fixed, and further trial must determine its merits. 

 It promises well. 



The " General Grant" tomato, of which favorable mention was made 

 last season, has, the past year, sustained its previous reputation as a 

 valuable market variety, and, with the " Boston Market " and 

 '' Maupaj'," constitute the leading kinds in this market. The first and 

 second prizes were awarded the General Grant at the Annual Exhibition 

 in September over all others, it also received the first prize at the weekly 

 show in August. 



At the Annual Exhibition the display of vegetables was fully up in 

 quality to the preceding year. Perhaps the most interesting feature of 

 this exhibition was the very large and superior collections of Potatoes, 

 embracing many of the new and popular kinds lately introduced, in 

 which the public generally are more or less interested. 



