22 WOKCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1882. 



what return for unscrupulous ventures may be expected, in the 

 statement of ^^ The ^ar<^6?i" that "false and rotten Newtowns 

 fetched the price they deserved." The Liverpool and London 

 markets are not peculiar as to that. New York dumps her 

 decaying Strawberries and Peaches into the docks. Worcester 

 lets them severely alone ; or charitably supplies them as food for 

 the occasional suckers that evade the dams a-down the Blackstone. 

 Li scarcely any trade, so sharply as that in fruit, is it as 

 thoroughly determined that " honesty is the best policy." It is 

 the duty of the members of this Society to advance, — not degrade. 

 Horticulture. It is, as well, their interest ; whether they have 

 fruit or flowers to put upon the market, or would become 

 purchasers of either ; to frown upon chicanery, expose fraud, 

 and denounce deliberate imposture. This Horticultural Society 

 represents the Pomology of a County that accepts no secondary 

 position, flunkeyism to the contrary, notwithstanding. Here, — 

 were leading varieties originated, that have found wide recogni- 

 tion ; and here, if we are true to Nature and our own manhood, 

 will they never lack a complete development or be permitted to 

 degenerate. 



In this connection, I make no apology for introducing a letter 

 from our learned associate, Charles Downing, whose every word 

 should be treasured as the apples of the Hesperides ; 



" Newburgh, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1882. 

 Edward W. Lincoln, Esq. 



Dear Sir: 



Many thauks for a copy of the Transactions of the Worcester County 

 Horticultural Society for 1881, in which I have been much interested ; 

 and I like the departure from the old plan.* 



The Hubbardston Nonesuch, to niy taste, is the perfection of an 

 apple, containing just sufficient sugar and acid for a firstclass eating 

 apple, and also for cooking without sugar. Yet some who are accus- 

 tomed to condiments, and high-seasoned food, would not think so. 

 The tree is a good grower, good bearei", and the fruit generally fair and 

 handsome. I believe it would make a profitable apple to ship, but 

 think it should be gathered a few days earlier than for home use, or 

 before fully ripe, or the usual time. They should be shipped as soon 



*Weekly, instead of large Annual Exhibitions, often without other merit than 

 size. E. w. L. 



