REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS FOR THE 



YEAR 1912. 



By Edward B. Wilder, Chairman. 



The early spring rains gave hope of a better year for fruit than 

 the last one, but again we had to contend with severe summer 

 droughts. 



The fruit trees bloomed profusely, but in some sections of the 

 State there was very little fruit, especially was this true of the 

 pear crop. 



Your committee, however, is glad to report a decided improve- 

 ment in the exhibitions of the year, with a marked increase of 

 interest on the part of the public. The display of fruit at the 

 Midwinter Flower Show was excellent, comprising 27 plates of 

 apples, 4 plates of pears, and a collection of apples consisting of 

 24 distinct varieties, 3 specimens of each, kept over from the 

 Autumn Exlaibition of 1911. 



Among these varieties we note Newtown Pippin, Rome Beauty, 

 Northern Spy, Peck Pleasant, Fall Harvey, Fisher, Green Sweet, 

 York Imperial, Pennock, Wagener, Stark, Mann, and Gano. It 

 is remarkable that fruit exhibited before in the Hall should keep 

 for months, without the use of cold storage and then be suitable 

 to show again, which fact speaks well for the keeping qualities 

 of these varieties. 



Three prizes for Collection of Winter Apples were awarded. 

 First to Elliott & H. Ward Moore of Worcester, Second to George 

 V. Fletcher of Belmont, and Third to H. A. Clark of Belmont. 



Dr. W. G. Kendall of Atlantic again exhibited fine Bosc pears, 

 Edward E. Cole of Greenbush, Holland Pippin Apples, and H. A. 

 Clark a basket of Northern Spy apples. 



At the May Exhibition, May 11-12, Thomas E. Proctor of 

 Topsfield had a fine dish of Marshall strawberries grown under 

 glass. 



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