FRUITS AND FLOWERS. 325 



something more than lateness of season prevented the exhibition, 

 of more than three or four varieties of plums. 



Without unduly extending their report, your committee 

 cannot express the many ideas naturally suggested in the dis- 

 charge of the pleasant duty assigned them. They would merely 

 volunteer a few remarks — or, omitting the body of the sermon, 

 give only the application. And firstly, they would say — pro- 

 tect, personally, and by the enforcement of law, the birds, 

 which feed so largely upon insects injurious to fruit. And — 

 says one of our number — " add toads also." 



It is worthy of remark, that the fewer ravages of vermin on 

 shade and fruit trees, the past season, are simultaneous with 

 the presence of birds more numerously than have been known 

 for many years. 



Item. It is respectfully submitted, that only a single speci- 

 men of any variety of common fruit is hardly a fair representa- 

 tion, either for the offerer or the thing offered. 



Item. Please don't dub seedlings with some eminent name 

 to provoke the merriment of a sober committee. Unless certain 

 of the right title, better say, " name unknown." 



Item. Fains taken in the proper arrangement of specimens, 

 are never lost. A jumble is never so effective as a distinct and 

 conspicuous display. And for this end it seemed to your com- 

 mittee, that more show-cases for fruit were needed ; some of 

 the exhibitors to-day, having been compelled to resort to side- 

 tables and an immediate removal after inspection. 



Item. Your committee hope that the cultivation of the 

 grape, so auspiciously inaugurated in our county, will be pros- 

 ecuted, until good wine shall, as it can be, a product of Old 

 Berkshire. 



Item. Your committee found on exhibition to-day, several 

 seedlings of the apple, which they judged worthy of enlarged 

 cultivation. The temptation was strong to make some new 

 names for the Pomological Society. 



E. W. B. Canning, Chairman. 



NORFOLK. 



From the Report of the Committee on Fruit. 

 The display of fruit is, to many persons, the most attractive 

 feature of our annual exhibition. The thrifty farmer sees in it, 



