103 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



itself, but whether it is the normal form of the variety. Fruit 

 of extra size is e^pt'ci:illy apt to depart from the normal form 

 and to become misshapen and irregular. Quality and value for 

 general cultivation arc always the same for any given variet}-, 

 wherever it may be found, while size and beauty vary in different 

 collections ; and on these last two points each kind is carefully 

 compared with the same in other collections, so as to avoid incon- 

 sistent markings. We have generally been able to decide on the 

 smaller collections without the careful marking which we have de- 

 scribed, but in some cases have been obliged to mark the collec- 

 tions of nftcen and even of ten varieties. 



We fear that we may not have succeeded in expressing our ideas 

 clearly in these rather dcsultmy remarks, but if they call attention 

 to the subject, so as to improve the method of awarding the prizes, 

 our object will be gained. 



The annexed list of awards shows the amount of prizes to be 

 $1,120; gratuities, 8488; total, Sl,G08; leaving an unexpended 

 balance of $2U2. The liberal appropriation of Sl,yOO left a 

 larger margin than usual for gratuities ; but while the committee 

 were glad to have it in their power to reward the contributors of 

 such worthy productions as do not fall within the scope of the 

 prize list, the large balance remaining shows that this discretionary 

 power has been carefully exercised. The appropriation was in- 

 creased $128 ; the amount of awards exceeds that of last 3'ear by 

 §25. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



IIOBEUT MANNING. 



r. B. 110 VKY. 



IIKIIVEV DAVIS. 



JOHN H. MOO UK. 



FUEDKRICK CLAPP. 



BENJAMIN G. SMITH. 



S. G. DAMON. 



Since the above report was presented, our ex-sccrclary, R. T. 

 Paine, Esq., his favored us with a statement of the temperature 

 and rain during the year, which is here appended, for comparison 

 with his previous valuable tables. 



