71 



Mr. Stickney exhibited some Concords, the fruit being so mon- 

 strous in size, that it was the general impression that it was un- 

 natural. His statement shows how it was done. His seedling 

 was tried by the C.^mmittee who were agreeably surprised at its 

 quality. One of our Committee, Mr. Hill of Amesbury, exhib- 

 ited the finest Allen's Hybrid on the table, which were not in- 

 cluded in the entries. 



Of Assorted Fruits the lavish displays in baskets of Messrs 

 Wait and Gould caused many a mouth to water for them. 



The show of Plums and Quinces was very slim, only two 

 plates of plums, but they were nice ones. We would recom- 

 mend to the Society the importance of fostering the cultivation 

 of plums by the offer of liberal premiums for their exhibition, 

 and a special liberal premium for the cure of the black wart on 

 the trees, for we cannot but believe that a fruit that was so 

 abundant and fine in Essex County twenty years ago, can be re- 

 deemed from its present curse by steady, persistent effort which 

 should be encouraged. Quinces also should have a premium of- 

 fered for the best plate of each kind. 



Looking back upon the record of our Society, as published, 

 in the reports of Committees on Fruit, we find year after year 

 awarded premiums and gratuities for choice fruit that was a grat- 

 ificaticn to those interested and a pleasing sight to the looker on 

 at the hall. But what lasting information to the Society was 

 gained by it } None. If Mr. A. had better fruit than Mr. B., and 

 Mr. C. had unhealthy and unproductive trees and vines so that 

 he could not exhibit at all, how was he to get information to help 

 him unless he visited or wrote to ]\Ir. A. to know how he did it, 

 which he would not be likely to get in as good a way as from the 

 report of a committee who passes judgment on the merits of the 

 fruits exhibited and who are entitled by the rules of our Society, 

 to receive such information, and which if not furnished should be 



