36 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



one of the best of the large red currants. White and Red Dutch are still 

 favorite varieties for general cultivation. The exhibition in this department 

 was confined to seven persons, and all the premiums were awarded. This 

 fruit may be grown among pear and other trees without great expense, so 

 that what is obtained for the fruit may be considered as nearly clear gain. 

 But it should be grown for home use, let it cost what it will ; for no fruit is 

 inor* wholesome and palatable than the currant, during the dog-days, when 

 one has little relish for food of any kind. 



We can say but little for the exhibition of Gooseberries, for our American 

 people do not cultivate them so much, or esteem them so highly, as do our Eng- 

 lish cousins across the water. It is doubtless true, that the gooseberry does 

 not flourish here as there, for many of the best English varieties have either 

 partially, or entirely failed here, nor have we many American sorts upon which 

 to rely. The Houghton's Seedling and Mountain Seedling are cultivated more 

 than any other, and are considered the most desirable, as they do not mildew. 

 Some excellent gooseberries, of the best English sorts, were shown by Jona- 

 than French of Roxbury. We do not remember to have ever seen better. It 

 is very doubtful if the growing of the gooseberry for the market can be made 

 profitable, until it is more fully appreciated for table use. 



The Blackberry next claims our attention. The Dorchester is acknowl- 

 edged by all to be the best variety for table use, though the Lawton may be 

 the best for wine, because of its greater yield of juice. The cultivation of 

 this fruit is confined to a few persons, who seem to have excellent success. 

 Very superior specimens were shown by James Nugent, Galen Merriam, and 

 J. W. Foster, to whom the prizes were awarded. It is believed that this crop 

 can be made profitable if judiciously cultivated. It is certainly a fine fruit, 

 and the wine made from it valuable for its medicinal properties. To grow 

 this berry to perfection, it is necessary to have a strong soil in which to plant 

 it; for experience has proved that it will not give a fair yield on light or sandy 

 land. It is a great benefit to the blackberry bushes to lay them down in the 

 autumn, as the raspberry is laid down. 



Few Plums have been exhibited during the season. William Bacon and 

 H. Vandine were the principal contribirtors. A. W. Paine, of Bangor, sent 

 to the Committee a seedling plum, which was very handsome, of large size, 

 loncf, yellow, with red cheek, heavy bloom, resembling Coe's Golden Drop 

 about the stem, quality good ; promising. The great and apparently insur- 

 mountable obstacles in the way of the successful cultivation of the plum, 

 renders a new variety, however good it may be, of little value for this part of 

 the country. 



The Peach is a much more desirable fruit, and it is pleasant to see this fruit 

 on the Society's tables in greater quantity and variety than in years past. 

 Some believe, and with good reason, that we shall yet be able to raise peaches 

 in abundance, " a consummation devoutly to be wished ; " for this is one of the 

 most luscious and healthful of all the fruits of the field, and we have mourned 



