FRUITS. 135 



hitherto been cultivated to a limited extent in this vicinity, the 

 Committee were pleased to see a fine dish of the Washington. 

 This apple is large, attractive in appearance, with a rich, sub- 

 acid flavor, and succeeds the Gravenstein, which indeed it some- 

 what resembles. Its success in this locality the future must 

 determine. 



The Northern Spy from which so much was expected, we are 

 sorry to say will probably prove a failure. The tree is produc- 

 tive, and the fruit is not only large and handsome, but of good 

 quality. Its great defect is in its liability to premature decay — 

 no inconsiderable portion of the crop being frequently found 

 unsound even at the time of gathering. It is classed as in per- 

 fection in March and April, and we have occasionally seen the 

 Jfruit at this season that in every point of excellence seemed to 

 leave little to be desired ; but its perishable nature when grown 

 in this vicinity renders it almost valueless. 



The general perfection and beauty of the dishes of the Mother 

 apple afforded the Committee much gratification. The tree is 

 so productive, the fruit is so richly colored, so free from blem- 

 ishes, and withal of so good quality for the table, that we con- 

 sider it one of the best of the numerous kinds which came 

 before us for examination, and it is recommended for cultivation. 



In the dishes of the Cogswell exhibited, there were seen the 

 same evenness in size, beauty of color and perfection of form 

 which have been its almost unvarying characteristics for years 

 past. The tree is productive to a fault ; the fruit is of good 

 quality, makes a fine appearance when on the table, and is in 

 condition for use from November to February. There is no 

 apple known to us better adapted for cultivation in poor, gravel- 

 ly soil than this. Its single defect^appears to be in the liability 

 of the tree to shed its fruit. 



The Brewer apple, the dishes of which were so numerous and 

 prominent, certainly has the merit of size, and its unfailing ap- 

 pearance at our yearly exhibitions is evidence that it also has 

 the further merit of being an annual bearer. It is a good sort 

 for cooking, but too coarse in texture to be classed as a table 

 fruit, besides being liable to drop before it attains its full size. 

 Where room is abundant, however, a tree of this kind may be 

 desirable. 



Your Committee believe the cultivation of the Hubbardston 



