298 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



their merits. The Belinoiit full}' sustained the reputation given it 

 in previous reports. As grown by the originators, Warren Heustis 

 & Son, it has shown more points of excellence than any berry 

 presented at our exhibitions for the last three years. The plants 

 have been widely distributed the past season and we shall soon be 

 able to judge whether or not it is adapted for general cultivation. 

 r. M. Augur & Sons, of Middlefield, Conn., again showed their 

 seedling, the Jewell. They labored under the disadvantage of 

 being compelled to pick their fruit the da}' before the exhibition, 

 and it did not have the bright, fresh appearance of fruit picked 

 in the immediate vicinity. The plants of this variety have been 

 distributed the past season, and we shall probably have an oppor- 

 tunity' at the next exhibition of seeing the fruit under conditions 

 equally favorable with those under which other varieties are shown. 

 Hon. Marshall P. Wilder showed a new variety which he has 

 named the Dorchester, and which in size, form, color, and quality, 

 compared favorably with the best berries on exhibition. If it 

 should prove vigorous in growth and productive it will take a front 

 rank among the newer varieties. 



While the plan, adopted the past three years, of showing Straw- 

 berries on plates affords the Committee the best possible oppor- 

 tunity for judging the fruit, and is the most convenient method 

 for the growers, it does not show the fruit to the best advantage 

 on the tables. When this plan was adopted, the premiums were 

 80 small that the growers' convenience and the waste of fruit 

 were matters of considerable importance ; but with the premiums 

 almost doubled exhibitors will doubtless willingly conform to 

 such regulations as will show the fruit to the best advantage. 

 The Committee on Establishing Prizes have, in the Schedule soon 

 to be issued, arranged the premiums for Strawberries in classes 

 of four quarts, two quarts, and one quart, to be shown in baskets. 



The weekly exhibitions, held after the Rose and Strawberry 

 Show, June 22 and 23, until the Annual Exhibition, September 

 14 — 17, were well attended, and the quantit}' of summer fruit 

 shown was unusually large, alTording both visitors and growers the 

 most favorable opportunity of comparing the merits of the different 

 varieties; and, if supi)lemented by inquiries as to conditions of 

 exposure and soil, with method of treatment, furnished all neces- 

 sar}' information for their successful culture. There have been no 

 new varieties of summer fruits shown deserving special notice, 



