THE MOST DESIRABLE VARIETIES OF FRUIT. 43 



the latter is a fine, vigorous grower, and such an enormous bearer 

 as to require severe thinning. Tlie time is fast approacliing when 

 we shall produce as fine grapes out of doors as under glass. 



In strawberries he has to settle down on the Charles Downing, 

 Kentucky, Seth Boyden, Cumberland, and other old varieties. 

 The Jewell is coming injio a like estimation ; it is one of the most 

 promising new kinds. The Prince is of high flavor and vigorous 

 growth. 



Mr. Hills said he was glad to know that the Jewell is so promis- 

 ing. He spoke of the deceptive character of the advertisements 

 of horticultural novelties ; new fruits are sold at two dollars per 

 dozen plants, or perhaps two dollars each, and after paying these 

 prices in two or three years 3'ou find they are of no value. It is 

 amusing to see the statements, in catalogues, that the accounts of 

 new varieties are accurate. Last winter he crossed a large num- 

 ber of strawberries in the greenhouse; fruit on a pistillate plant is 

 sure to be a cross. Probably he would get nine hundred and 

 ninety-nine not as good as the parents, but he might get one 

 better. 



Mr. Wilder said that the seed of cross-fertilized strawberries 

 might be sown immediately, and the fruit could be tested in six 

 months. 



Notice was given that on the next Saturday Rev. J. B. Harrison, 

 of Franklin Falls, N. H., would speak on " Forestry." 



BUSINESS MEETING. 



Saturday, January 30, 1886. 



An adjourned meeting of the Societj' was holden at 11 o'clock, 

 the President, Henry P. Walcott, in the chair. 



Edward L. Beard moved that the Committee on Publication and 

 Discussion be authorized to emplo}' a person to make abstracts of 

 the papers read at the meetings for discussion, on the day when 

 read, and prepare copies in manifold for all the dailj' papers in the 

 city. The motion was unanimously adopted. 



Charles N. Brackett, Chairman of the Committee on Vegetables, 

 announced the decease of George W. Pierce, a member of that 



