REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 267 



It is freel}^ conceded by every person of experience engaged in 

 either vegetable or fruit culture, that the most frequent cause of 

 repeated failures, and the greatest drawback to success which he 

 has to encounter, are insects and those diseases designated as 

 mildews and blights. There are few if any crops cultivated in any 

 part of the country that are not at some period of their growth 

 liable to injury from one of these causes or from all combined. 



The damage caused bj' insects alone, to the various crops of the 

 country, is a great and growing one, which no one more fully 

 appreciates than the cultivator himself. The aggregate annual 

 loss to the nation from their depredations is immense, and very 

 forcibly demonstrates the importance of a more thorough knowl- 

 edge of their nature and habits, with a view to discovering the 

 best means of counteracting their ravages. The Asparagus 

 beetle, (Crioceris asparagi) which has been so destructive in 

 various sections of the country, particularly on Long Island, has 

 alread}' gained a foothold here, and, unless speedily checked, is 

 likely to do great damage to this important crop. We would 

 suggest that if a collection of insects, both injurious and beneficial 

 to the horticulturist could be obtained, with an expert at hand 

 to give the necessary information respecting them, it would form 

 an interesting and instructive feature for discussion at some of 

 our winter meetings, and prove a benefit to all who are interested 

 in this subject. 



Great in^provement has been noticeable in our winter shows 

 since the plan of offering prizes instead of gratuities for forced 

 vegetables was adopted. Under this change our January and 

 Februar}' exhibitions have shown a large increase both in the 

 variety of exhibits and in the number of contributors, and a 

 healthy competition, which we hope to see continued, has been the 

 result. 



The first exhibition of Asparagus of open culture, was made on 

 the 12th of May, John B. Moore & Son as usual taking the first 

 prize at this, and also at the subsequent exhibition on June 9th. 

 The weight of the four bunches shown June 9th, was 13 lbs. 8^ 

 oz. Owing to the unfavorable season no Peas were exhibited 

 until June 26th, eleven days behind the record of last year. The 

 varieties shown were Kentish Invicta, by W. G. Prescott ; Alaska, 

 by C. E. Grant ; Maud S., by Samuel Hartwell ; and Dan O'Roiirke, 

 by Cephas H. Brackett. The first prize da}' for peas occurred at 



