REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS. 205 



pears, while, owing to the causes previously mentioned, the 

 show of apples and grapes was limited. Last year, apple growers 

 found it difficult to dispose of their crop, even at low prices. 

 This year many of them are obliged to buy western fruit for 

 home consumption, and at ver}' much higher prices. As this is 

 continually occurring it would seem to be an object with growers 

 of this fruit to change the bearing year, and thus secure a more 

 even distribution in successive years. This may be done on 

 young orchards, with comparatively little labor. 



There have not been as many new fruits shown the past year as 

 usual, which may be owing to the fact that it has been an unfavor- 

 able season to test the quality of all kinds of fruits. 



Of the $1,700 appropriated for prizes and gratuities for fruits, 

 $1,562 have been awarded, leaving an unexpended balance of 

 $138. 



Although the highest hopes and anticipations of the fruit- 

 growers ma}' not have been fully realized, when their crops are 

 compared with other agricultural products they have little cause 

 for complaint. 



The Committee recommend that the Society award the Prospec- 

 tive prize for the best Seedling Strawberry to Warren Heustis for 

 his seedling, Belmont. 



E. W. Wood, 



C. F. Curtis, 



Samuel Hartwell, ^^^ 



Benjamin G. Smith, ( Committee. 



Jacob W. Manning, 



Warren Fenno, 



