FRUITS. 145 



mens were really entitled to notice. Your committee would 

 also recommend that contributors of pears at our shows, who 

 obtain premiums, should be required to ma^e a written state- 

 ment of their manner of cultivation. This will increase the 

 interest in this department of our exhibitions. 



Peaches. — There were several varieties of peaches on exhibi- 

 tion this year, and your committee suggest that an effort be 

 made to raise peaches, as we believe that the time is coming 

 again when peaches will be raised in this State, and will be as 

 healthy and profitable as formerly, as there are indications that 

 the disease which has been so fatal to the trees has ceased to 

 affect them, and if so, this fruit should receive the same degree 

 of attention as in former years. 



Grapes. — The exhibition of grapes was very good, perhaps 

 better than at any former show, but it was not so large, and 

 there were not so many exhibitors as there should have been. 

 Farmers are giving more attention to grape culture than 

 formerly, and there is no reason why every one who owns land 

 should not raise grapes, for the hardy varieties of native grapes, 

 the Concord, Delaware and Hartford Prolific, will grow upon 

 any land fit for cultivation, and the Concord, with very little 

 care, will produce a good crop of fruit every year. Among the 

 grapes exhibited was the St. Catherine, a native seedling, raised 

 by Mr, James W. Clark, of Framingham, and which l^ids fair 

 to be a great favorite. Your committee would recommend that 

 the exhibitors of grapes who obtain premiums shall be required 

 to make a written statement of their manner of cultivation, in 

 order to furnish information to others as to the best method to 

 pursue to obtain the largest yield. 



George L. Sawin, for the Committee. 



NORFOLK. 



A Prize Essay on Open Air Grape Culture. 



BT WILLIAM E. RICE, M. D. 



There is no fruit which will so richly repay the care and 

 expense of its cultivation as the grape. By a judicious selection 

 of varieties, it can be raised with profit in all parts of this State. 

 By care to supply it with a favorable soil and exposure, and a 



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