£. MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



especially directed to the Strawberry beds of Mr. Underwood, and to his mode 

 of cultivating this fruit, which with the denizens of Belmont may be considered 

 not merely a specialty but an institution. The varieties generally and most 

 successfully grown are Hovey's Seedling and Biighton Pine; and the Com- 

 mittee were led to note the astonishing luxuriance of the crop, both as to 

 quantity and quality ; indeed, wherever they lifted the dense foliage the earth 

 was ruddy with delicious fruit. 



After an hour delightfully spent in Mr. Underwood's grounds, the Committee 

 availed themselves of an invitation to visit the Hall appropriated to the Annual 

 " Strawberry Festival," (held that day) which is also one of the pleasant social 

 institutions of Belmont. It hardly need be said they were amply repaid for 

 this visit in the magnificent display of specimens, unequalled, probably, in any 

 other exhibition of the kind, for richness of flavor, size and perfection. The 

 varieties shown were principally Hovey's Seedling, Jenny's Seedling, Brighton 

 Pine, and the old Wood, or Alpine berry ; the latter grown, by improved 

 culture, to nearly two inches in length. 



Their excursion was afterwards prolonged to examine the extensive fields 

 devoted to strawberry cultivation by the market gardeners in this vicinity; 

 and they can hardly express the gratification afforded them by this opportunity 

 to observe the thrift and success of this important culture, which must be seen 

 in its full season to be appreciated. In a favorable summer, we are informed, 

 from 3000 to 4000 boxes are the average yield of an acre in this great 

 producing district. 



Your Commitee cannot dismiss this subject without expressing their hearty 

 thanks to Mr. Underwood for his courteous attention during their visit ; and 

 they may add, that notwithstanding it was unexpectedly protracted, they left 

 this charming locality with considerable reluctance, and not without piofit and 

 instruction ; being greatly impressed by the thorough preparation and thought- 

 ful expenditure in advance, made to secure a bounteous yield in a coming 

 year. 



VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE. 



On Monday, October 6th, in accordance with an invitation previously ex- 

 tended, a Sub-Committee visited the premises of J. V. Wellington, Cam- 

 bridgeport, for the purpose of inspecting his out-of-door grapery. This con- 

 sisted of an arbor-trellis attached to the house, with a southern aspect, of 

 the following dimensions: — length, tJO feet; span, 12 feet; height, 10 feet; 

 length of running trellis, 90 feet In addition to this principal one, there waa 

 also a stable irellis, 17 feet high and 14 feet wide, and several smaller ones on 

 a short low fence, with an eastern aspect. 



The vines are all Isabella, and were profusely laden with fine clusters of 

 fruit, from one-fourth to upwards of a pound in weight, giving an aggregate 

 yield of about 600 pounds the present season, and 500 pounds in 1861. The 

 bunches well ripened, of good flavor, and colored with a fine bloom. The 



