REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 309 



Tomatoes, as iu seasons past, have been a very promineut 

 feature at our exhibitions. The first prize clay was July 18 ; but 

 the specimens offered were not considered worthy of the first 

 prize, and it was consequently withheld. July 25, however, and 

 also at subsequent exhibitions, the specimens shown were remark- 

 ably fine, and formed a very interesting and attractive portion of 

 the display. Great improvement has been made in this popular 

 vegetable within the past ten or twelve years, in regard to form, 

 texture, and quality ; yet little advance, if any, has been made in 

 earliness. Year after year new varieties have been introduced, 

 which in almost every instance were claimed by the originator to 

 be from one to two weeks earlier than their predecessors. Experi- 

 ence proves, however, that if the word minutes had been substi- 

 tuted in the place of "weeks," it would in a large majority of 

 cases have come much nearer the truth. At the Annual Exhibition 

 the display of tomatoes was not as large as that of last year, there 

 being but forty-one dishes on exhibition, against eighty on the 

 previous occasion. This was owing mainly to the fact that one, 

 who in years past has been amongst the largest contributors, tliis 

 year failed to put in an appearance. 



At the October and Chrysanthemum shows the displa3"s of vege- 

 tables were the largest and best we have ever made at this season 

 of the year. 



The past season has been favoral^le for the growth and develop- 

 ment of the Cauliflower ; the specimens which have been shown 

 have never been surpassed, if equalled, and reflected the greatest 

 credit upon all the contrilnitors. The first prizes on September 5 

 and October 3, and the Special and first Eegular prizes at the 

 Annual Exhibition, were all awarded to P. G. Hanson. October 

 10, some very fine specimens were shown by W. P. Walker, 

 the largest of which turned the scales at thirteen pounds. At the 

 Chrj'santhemum Show, the first prize for cauliflowers was won by 

 Mrs. Mary T. Goddard, who capped the climax with a splendid 

 specimen weighing fifteen and three-quarters pounds. 



The remarks regarding the cauliflower apply equally well to 

 Celery, which was exhibited in great perfection, not only at the 

 Annual Exhibition, but also at the October and November shows. 

 The Special prize at the Annual was awarded to Warren Heustis 

 for Henderson's Half Early Dwarf. The regular prize was taken 

 b}' Josiah Crosb}' for Boston Market. The last named competitor 

 also received the first prize at the October show for the same 



