REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OX FRUITS. 247 



while for several years previous, with much less extreme low 

 temperature, the buds were all killed. 



The prizes offered for plums af the weekly aud aunual exhibi- 

 tions have all been taken. The value of this fruit has been much 

 increased within the past few years by the introduction of new 

 varieties, and could some means be discovered by which injury to 

 the trees by the black wart could be prevented, it would be found 

 in every fruit garden. 



Grapes, owing to the unfavorable season, were shown in limited 

 quantity and but few of tlie prizes were awarded. The Cottage 

 and Worden were the only varieties for which all the prizes offered 

 were awarded. The exhibit of foreign grapes was unusually good, 

 some very large and well-ripened buuches being shown. 



The exhibitions of October 6 and November 24, brought out 

 the finest fruit in size aud quality shown during the year. At 

 these exhibitions the late varieties of Apples and Pears are 

 shown in perfection, and of the one hundred aud twenty-four prizes 

 offered for these fruits one hundred and fifteen were awarded. 

 On the 24th of November, Mr. Hartshorn, from Maiden, showed a 

 dish of seedling pears. The fruit was of medium size and just in 

 condition for the table. Its quality and time of ripening entitle 

 it to favorable mention. 



For the first time the Chrysanthemum and Fruit Exhibitions 

 Were held on separate days, the latter being on Saturday of the 

 week following the Chrysanthemum Show, when it was found to 

 be too late to show some of the varieties in the best condition, 

 and in the Schedule for 1889, the day is changed to the Saturday 

 preceding the Chrysanthemum Exhibition. 



Of the seventeen hundred dollars appropriated for prizes aud 

 gratuities for fruits, the Committee have awarded fifteen hundred 

 aud sixty-four dollars, leaving an unexpended balance of one 

 hundred and thirty-six dollars which would have been considerably 

 reduced but for the partial failure of the grape crop. 



Considering the peculiar, aud in some respects unfavorable, 

 reason for farm and garden products, the fruit grower has little 

 occasion for discouragement. The small fruits liave sold readily 

 and the strawberry especially has brought prices more satisfactory 

 to the growers than for several years. The pear crop has been 

 large, but beside the home market the demand from other States 



