42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The second prize for new varieties w:is not awarder! ; tliis being 

 tlie only prize for pears, at the Annual Exiiibition, for whicli no 

 claimant appeared. 



The extraordinary cluster of Bcurrc d'Anjou pears sent from 

 California by JMr. F. D. Atherton will be renieinbered. Other varie- 

 ties from California were found to have tittained, under the warm 

 ■sun and cloudless sky, with the dry atmosphere and soil of the 

 Western coast, a sweetness unknown here, though destitute, to a 

 great extent, of the fine aroma and. flavor which mark our best 

 varieties. Under these circumstances, it may well be imagined that 

 Dana's Hovey would become exceedingly sugary ; and such was 

 found to be the case. 



The Eastern Belle, raised by Mr. McLaughlin of Bangor, Me., 

 and possessing much of the character of Belle Lucrative, was again 

 exhibited by him, and was deemed worthy of the society's silver 

 medal. The Indian Queen, and a third seedling without a name, 

 were coarse and inferior. 



At the exhibition of autumn pears (Oct. 14), Mr. Charles Bird 

 showed a seedling of large size and obovate form ; clear yellow, 

 with blackish and russet dots; flesh white, buttery, and juicy; 

 spirited, with a peculiar flavor; in quality "very good" to "best." 

 Mr. Francis Dana presented a seedling so much like Dix in shape, 

 color, and flavor, that it might easily be taken for that variety, and 

 would certainly be pronounced a seedling from it. If free from 

 cracking, and an early bearer, it may prove valuable as a substitute 

 for Dix. At this exhibition, the Beurre d'Anjou again received the 

 first prize for the best single dish. 



At the exhibition of winter pears (Nov. 11), Mr. Alexander Dick- 

 inson presented a seedling of medium size, obovate ; skin fair, 

 smooth yellow, sprinkled with brownish dots, and, toward the sun, 

 a reddish cheek; flesh white, buttery, and juicy, with a pleasant 

 mild flavor. A specimen grown on quince was somewhat larger 

 and more flattened, but did not vary in quality. On this occasion, 

 the Beurre d'Anjou was once more first among the single dishes; 

 and the remarks ina<le a year ago as to its value fron\ the long 

 time during which it is in season might well be repeated here. 



Gbapks. — The crop of native grapes was most abundant, and 

 gave ])r()inis<', under the warm dry weather which prevailed until 

 September, of excellent quality. It seemed almost too good to be 

 true, that we should have three favorable grape-seasons in succes- 

 sion ; and the event proved that it was too good to be true, the 

 frosts of September having caused sad disappointment to many of 



