REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES. 253 



reflect credit upon contributors and the Society. From 3'ear 

 to year marks of improvement are visible, and give evidence of a 

 constantly growing and continued progress on the part of the 

 cultivator. 



On May 4, the first Asparagus of the season was shown by 

 ^'arnum Frost, who secured the first prize. Fine specimens were 

 also exhibited on the following prize day by P. G. Hanson and 

 Hon. George Heywood, who were awarded prizes in the order 

 named. 



Peas were shown for the first time June 15, F. C. Goddard 

 being the exhibitor. From this date ou through the season peas 

 were shown in liberal quantity and varietj'. The leading kinds 

 were American Wonder. Advancer, Stratagem, Hei'oine, and 

 Champion. A new and very handsome pea belonging to the same 

 class as the Heroine and Stratagem was shown b}' Samuel J. Tre- 

 pess, and was much admired. It was called Juno. 



With many growers the Heroine is taking the place of the 

 Stratagem on account of the difficulty of procuring pure seed of 

 that variety, which of late appears to be badly mixed and unreli- 

 able. It is to be regretted that so fine a pea should be allowed to 

 run out for want of care in the selection and growing of stock seed. 



Tomatoes of outdoor culture were shown for the first time July 

 13, Joshua C. Stone being awarded the first prize for the Boston 

 Market. Fine specimens of May's Favorite and Paragon were 

 shown on the same date. 



The cultivation and development of the different varieties of the 

 Tomato may be said to have approached, if not to have reached, 

 perfection. In form, quality, or size there appears to be little to 

 be desired. If any further improvement is possible it would seem 

 to be in the way of earliness, but we doubt whether much more 

 can be gained in that direction. The experience of the past ten or 

 more years shows that we have about reached the limit. 



A new feature, and one in which the visiting public appears to 

 be deeply interested at the present time, has been the introduction 

 at our weekly shows of large collections of our Native Mushrooms, 

 both edible and noxious. The larger portion of the Mushroom 

 family are said to be wholesome and nutritious, but because of 

 the prevailing ignorance in regard to them, deaths from eating 

 those which are poisonous are of not infrequent occurrence, so 

 that great care and experience are requisite to discriminate those 



