96 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ago, notwithstanding that one or two collections were disqualified 

 on account of incorrect names. We should not omit to mention 

 the generous dish of very finely colored Porters placed upon the table 

 at this exhilntion b}'' Mr, George Hill. 



Marshall P. Wilder presented on the 4th of October specimens of 

 a seedling apple raised by James M. Thompson, of Suscol, Cal., 

 of good size, and handsome color, conical form, striped with red, 

 sweet, and of fine quality, promising to be excellent for baldng. 

 The King of Tompkins County, esteemed in the state of New 

 York a valuable market apple, was exhibited by Messrs. Clapp on 

 the 8lh of November. It is large, handsome, and of excellent 

 quality, but with Messrs. Clapp does not bear very well, and con- 

 sequently cannot be recommended for cultivation. Messrs. Clapp 

 also showed at the same time the Squantum Pearmain, a very dark 

 red apple, mild subacid, and rather lacking in character. 



Pears. — No collection of winter pears worthy of the first prize 

 was presented on the last Saturday in January', and the statement 

 accompanj'ing those which received the second prize, that they 

 " were packed in baskets and placed in a cool cellar," contrar}^ to 

 the hopes of the committee, afllbrded no new information in regard 

 to the best means of keeping this fruit. At the same exhibition 

 fine specimens of Caen du France pear were presented by Marshall 

 P. Wilder. In the experience of some cultivators, this pear has 

 been liable to rot at the core ; but if, as Mr. Wilder has found it, 

 it is free from this great defect, it is certainly a desirable kind. 

 February 15th, fine specimens of Josephine de Malines were pre- 

 sented by Hovey & Co , which were tested and found very rich, 

 and we believe this variety may be recommended as the best for 

 prolonging the pear season. March loth, remarkably well kept 

 specimens of Beurre d'Anjou were shown by Gardner Brewer. 



As before remarked, the pear crop of 1873 was the most abun- 

 dant and excellent ever known, but the number of new varieties 

 shown was less than usual, no collection being exhibited for the 

 prize at the annual exhibition. On the 2i5d of August. Marshall 

 P. Wilder presented the Andre Despoi tes, of medium size, obtuse 

 pyriforin, greenish yellow, with a dull red cheek, streaked and 

 dotted with green ; flesh juicy and butterv, but with a little too 

 much astringi'ucy. It would probably not be so generally accept- 

 able as Beurre GitFard, with which if ripens ; but the tree is a much 

 belter grower. At the annual exhibition, the B u'on Treyve was 



