Notes and Gleanings. 187 



owing to the superabundance of rain and the lack of sunshine and heat. Beurr^ 

 Giffard was prominent as the best early kind on exhibition, receiving the three 

 prizes. Clapp's Favorite maintained its high reputation, gaining the first prize 

 for autumn. Doyenne du Cornice wins favor with each season, and ranks among 

 the very best. Buerre d'Anjou, Sheldon, Beurre Superfin, Swan's Orange, Ur- 

 baniste, Duchesse, Louise Bonne, and Beurre Bosc, all sustained their higli rank 

 as autumn pears. Mention may also be made of fine dishes of Dix, St. Michael, 

 Glout Morceau, and Beurre Diel, not commending them to public favor, but as 

 showing that protection and favoring circumstances will, even now, restore these 

 old favorites. It is clearly incorrect to say that these varieties have deteriorated : 

 we may rather say that the conditions of healthy growth have failed. Dr. 

 Shurtleft" exhibited specimens of his seedling pears, a lengthy description of 

 which was given in the report of last year ; to which we can add nothing at pres- 

 ent. The following seedlings worthy of note were exhibited by F. and L. Clapp : 

 Sarah, above medium, obovate, yellowish, with russet patches ; flesh white, 

 melting, sweet, flavor of the Seckel ; ripe Oct. 12 ; promising. Newhall, a seed- 

 ling from Marie Louise, which it resembles ; promises well ; ripe Oct. 20. Also 

 a seedling not named, a russet, above medium, a perfect pyramid ; juicy ; a spicy, 

 mace-like flavor ; good. F. Dana extends his long list of seedlings, exhibiting 

 one resembling the Marie Louise, and another very like the Dix. 



The Goodale Pear was on the tables at the annual exhibition ; but, as it has 

 been fully described in previous reports, we can add nothing. Asahel Foot ex- 

 hibited a seedling of the Seckel, which is more oblate, but otherwise like its 

 parent. Another seedling by Mr. Foot is called Weeping Willow, from the 

 remarkably pendulous habit of the tree ; but the fruit is of third quality. The 

 only prominent winter varieties were Lawrence, Winter Nelis, and Caen de 

 France. 



Apples are grown with perfect success in the very heart of infected districts. 

 It may be difficult, yet plainly it is possible, to triumph over canker-worms, cur- 

 culio, and caterpillars. When the cultivator has but few trees, it is scarcely an 

 object to exercise eternal vigilance ; but, for a large orchard, the cost of continu- 

 ous tarring for the canker-worm is comparatively trifling. Enterprise is the 

 main requisite. It has been a great mistake to sacrifice healthy young orchards, 

 which, with little expense, would probably yield as large profit as any other prod- 

 uct. The single orchard of the Messrs. Clapp disproves the whole list of dis- 

 eased, neglected, and stunted orchards to be seen on every side. The evil is, 

 however, in many cases, beyond remedy. Trees which have been stripped of 

 foUage for three or four years, especially if of full age, become so stunted and 

 checked as to be scarcely worth recovering. Hence the greater need of protect- 

 ing all that are yet vigorous. 



The Williams was, as usual, the most prominent summer apple, followed by 

 the Gravenstein in autumn, and, with unusual prominence, by the Hubbardston 

 for winter. Of course, it is not safe to follow these indications blindly. The 

 best and most showy fruits may not be productive, or adapted to general culture ; 

 yet it is believed that an examination of the prize varieties of the various fruits 

 will, in the main, guide to safe conclusions. 



