288 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUIJAL SOCIETY. 



attention ; it is easily grown, and meets with ready sale at fairly 

 remunerative prices. 



Blackberries. — Tlie prizes for this fruit were all awarded to 

 the Dorchester. While this variety has proved the most desirable 

 for exhibition purposes, there are others equally if not more 

 desirable for general cultivation. It is claimed for the Kittatinny 

 that it is more hardy, a good cropper, and produces good-sized, 

 saleable fruit. 



Gooseberries were shown in limited quantity. They are grown 

 to less extent than any other of the small fruits. The prizes were 

 given to the Downing and Smith's Improved, for Natives ; and to 

 the Whitesmith and Bang-Up, for Foreign, 



Plums were shown in large quantity and variety, forming an 

 interesting feature of the weekly and annual exhibitions. The 

 most serious obstacle to growing this fruit is the black wart ; and 

 the only remedy for this disease, thus far discovered, is cutting it 

 out immediately upon its appearance, — a process which often 

 disfigures and not unfrequently destroys valuable trees. 



Peaches. — The frequent failure of this fruit within the last few 

 years has discouraged the larger growers ; and, at least for the 

 immediate future, its cultivation will be confined mostly to the 

 private garden, where a few trees may be planted every year. 

 The fact that this fruit is now frequently destroyed by winters less 

 severe than it endured in former years, when abundant crops were 

 produced, would indicate that the trees have become less vigorous 

 and hardy. Whether any improvement can be secured by greater 

 care in selecting pits and buds froni healthy trees, is a subject 

 worthy of consideration. 



Grapes. — It has been an exceptionally favorable season for 

 this fruit. There has been very little mildew, and the continued 

 mild weather in October gave plenty of time to ripen and gather 

 the crop. The competition for the prizes has been larger than 

 for several years ; and the specimens exhibited have been of 

 superior quality. 



FoREiCxN Grapes. — The display of this fruit at the annual 

 exhibition by David Allan was the finest that has ever come under 

 the examination of the present Committee. The size, color, and 

 finish of some of the bunches have rarely if ever been equalled at 

 any previous exhibitions of the Society. 



