24 



WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



[1865. 



the elaborate and exhaustive address of the President. In contrasting the va- 

 rious years comprised in this table, it must be borne in mind that two months 

 less are embraced in ISOri than in anj- of its predecessors, owing to the change 

 in the time of holding the annual meeting. 



Anno Domini. 



1862 

 1SG3 

 1864 

 1865 



29 

 44 

 36 



48 



45 



19 



405 



Strawberries show a slight, yet material increase. The wet weather in the 

 spring of the year tended essentially to aid in forcing forward the plants, while 

 the greater attention bestowed upon the culture of this most delicious fruit aug- 

 mented the number of exhibitors and the quality of their contributions. As 

 usual, since its first introduction, the Triomphe de Gaud bore off the palm of 

 excellence. For four successive years, as in 1864, was it shown by the same 

 gentleman who, in that year, illustrated the final perseverance of this saint 

 among berries. Under proper culture, in this locality at least, there can remain 

 sligbt doubt that it is one of the most valuable varieties for general purposes 

 that has yet been introduced. Of the new and highly lauded Agriculturist, 

 nothing can yet be said. It has been too lately introduced for its character and 

 value to be sufficiently tested. Apprehensions are, however, entertained of its 

 sexuality, and also of its hardihood. 



But little can be said of Raspbkrries, Currants, Gooseberries, &c. Of 

 the former, your Secretary exhibited Brinckle's Orange, which were much 

 commended, as they were ever elsewhere, for superior appearance and flavor. 

 Very fine specimens of Doolittle's Black Cap, grown by one of our most skill- 

 ful cultivators and valuable trustees, 0. B. Hadwen, elicited merited praise, more 

 particularly as the product of the fii-st season. What they may become, to in- 

 fer from their development of wood, the present season, your Secretary, being 

 neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, ventures not to predict. The cur- 

 rants of Mr. Ripley, to whose generous contributions and intelligent interest the 

 Society may ascribe a great share of the success which has attended its weekly 

 exhibitions, were remarkable for excellence, as likewise were those of Mr. Grout 

 for variety. The latter gentleman, it should be remarked by the way, having 

 deserted us, poor rustics, and gone abroad to disport himself in the " bosky dells" 

 of England and her more artificial attraction — Kew Gardens. It is gratifying 

 to be able to record, as your Secretary does with mingled surprise and pleasure, 

 that after being privileged to inspect the celebrated Black Hamburg- vine of 

 those fairy regions, he returns with his faith in the Concord augmented almost 

 to frenzy. 



