THE GENESEE FAEMER. 



89 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOKTI- 

 CULTUEAL SOCIETY FOE 1859. 



We are pleased to lay before our readers a few- 

 extracts from the volume whose title appears above, 

 believing they will prove both interesting and 

 instructive. 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, it is 

 well known, is one of the oldest, ablest and most 

 influential societies of the kind in the country, and 

 the decisions of its committees are always regarded 

 with attention. The following are extracts from 

 tlie report of the Committee on Fruits: 



" Strawbekries. — The Wilson's Albany^ a vari- 

 ■ ety that has been higlily commended in many 

 quarters particularly for its' productiveness, was 

 exhibited in considerable quantity. Those shown 

 were very large berries, of a conical shape, dark 

 colored, and very acid, and did not, on trial, com- 

 mend themselves for quality to the Committee. 

 Toi) little experience lias yet been had here with 

 this vai-iety to justify the expression of any very 

 decided opinion with resjject to its merits. 



Hooker's Seedling was shown, and was likewise 

 a larjie, dark colored berry, acid, but high flavored, 

 and, in this particulcr, was preferred to the Wilson's. 



Peahoih/s Seedling, also, was exhibited, and 

 though large, and of attractive appearance, was 

 thought to greatly lack richness and flavor. 



The older varieties, as the Brighton and Boston 

 Pine, and Hoveifs Seedling, seem, so far, to main- 

 tain in the ojMnion of cultivators their wonted 

 sui)eriority, — at least., judging from the exhibitions 

 made of this fruit. 



In Belmont, where the cultivation of the straw- 

 berry receives great attention, it is said that the 

 kinds most depended upon are the novey''s Seedling^ 

 with the Brighton Pine ; this last is considered by 

 th^ growers there to be peculiarly adapted to be a 

 fertilizer to the former, as blossoming at the same 

 season. 



Wal-ker's Seedling, that may now be considered 

 among the older sorts, and of whose merits a favor- 

 able opinion was expressed about the time of its 

 introduction, seems to be receiving more attention, 

 and, in some quarters, has received high commend- 

 ations. At a meeting of the growers of this fruit 

 in a neighboring town, a resolution was adopted 

 recommending it for general .cultivation ; and in 

 New Jersey, it had previously received recommen- 

 dation of a similar character." 



" Cherries. — The only new or little known var- 

 ieties of cherries noticed as calling for any special 



observation, were the Monstreuse de Mezel and the 

 Cumberland. The Monstreuse de Mezel is a very 

 large cherry, dark colored, sweet and spirited, and 

 was pronounced, on trial, to be of very superior, 

 flavor. The Cumberland is an American variety, 

 brought out by Dr. Brinekle. It is a large, dark- 

 colored fruit ; flesh rather solid, and is rather acid." 



" CuREASTS. — No new currant was exhibited. — 

 Although, as has been before stated, there seems to 

 have been a great improvement effected, particu- 

 larly in regard to size, in this fruit, and it is proba- 

 bly destined to still greater, yet those old favorites 

 and acquaintances, the Red and White Dutch, still 

 maintain their standing with cultivators. As an 

 evidence of what can be effected by skill and man- 

 agement, specimens of each of these were exhibit- 

 ed the past year, almost rivalling, in size and beau- 

 ty, the La Caucase, the Versaillake^ and other new 

 sorts." 



" Blackbeehies. — The blackberries exhibited 

 consisted almost exclusively of the Dorchester ; and 

 this variety seems to monopolize the attention of 

 growers in this vicinity. The specimens this year 

 have been veiy large and exceedingly fine,— 25 

 berries, on one occasion, weighing G|- ounces; and 

 the exhibition, as made on August 13th, was pro- 

 nounced by all who witnessed it, snperior to any 

 other of this fruit ever made in the Society's Hall." 



" Grapes. — As no opportunity has been afforded 

 the past year for any personal experience with re- 

 spect to grapes, so there is no opportunity for any 

 observations in regard to this fruit in addition to 

 those of the Report of the past year ; the opinion 

 then expressed of the superiority, at present, of the 

 Delaxcare and Diana to any other varieties, for 

 general cultivation, being still entertained. 



At the annual exhibition, specimens of the Bo- 

 wood Muscat, anew hot-house grape, were shown. 

 In form of the berries, their size and color, it bears 

 a very strong resemblance to the Connon Hall Mus- 

 cat ; but, it is stated, possesses a decided advantage 

 over that variety in this, that it sets its fruit freely. 



Some new hardy Seedling grapes were also ex- 

 hibited ; among others the Perkins, a seedling from 

 Bridgewater. The berries were of good size, of a 

 light amber color, that seemed to be juicy, of a 

 sprightly flavor, without much pulp. And the 

 Dracut Amber, also a new seedling, with berries of 

 a good size, or large, in color of a dark amber; that, 

 too, was juicy, and without much hard pulp. The 

 season for grapes has been too unfavorable to justi- 

 fy the formation of any decided opinion with 

 respect to the merits of any of these grapes ; be- 

 sides that, no sufiicient opportunity of testing them 

 for that purpose has been afforded. 



Specimens of the Massachusetts White were also 

 upon the table. They did not appear to be ripe ; 

 and what is said with respect to the varieties nam- 

 ed above, regarding the season, and the want of 

 opportunity of testing them, is applicable to this 

 variety also ; but yet, as much has been said re- 

 specting it, — and some opinion in regard to it may 

 be perhaps expected, — it is felt to be a duty to state 

 that, in a cursory and slight examination, no supe- 

 riority over many of the common wild grapes of 

 the country was indicated, and it is not believed 

 that it will prove to be worthy of any cultivation. 



The Massachusetts White Grape was introduced 

 by Mr. Watson, of Plymouth, Mass., who described 



