FRUIT committee's REPORT. 3T. 



the lack of it in time past. There is less evidence now of that disease among 

 peach trees known as the yellows, than formerly, and we would advise all who 

 can, to plant a few trees each year, even though they may get but one or two 

 good crops of fruit during the life of the trees. 



There are single trees in the vicinity that yielded the past season three or 

 four bushels of good fruit. M. H. Simpson exhibited some George the Fourth 

 and Early Crawford, of orchard-house culture, that were most remarkable for 

 color, and of good flavor ; much better than forced peaches, though not fully 

 equal in this respect to the best peaches grown wholly in the open air. At 

 the Annual Exhibition there was quite a display of this fruit by Hervey 

 Davis, Asa Clement, and others. Francis Dana exhibited specimens of two 

 seedling peaches of fine appearance, and good quality. Every lover of good 

 fruit will rejoice to see that day when peaches shall be raised as plentifully in 

 New England as in former times. 



We now come to a subject which is of great interest to the public, that of 

 Grapes. No fruit is attracting more attention than this, at the present time, 

 throughout the country. New varieties are being introduced every year, as 

 the result of the great efforts that are being made to improve this fruit. The 

 past season has been a favorable one for grapes, except in very dry soils. 

 Little or no mildew was seen. The season was long, so that even the Isa- 

 bella and other late varieties ripened off finely. If we could be sure of one 

 season in three equal to the past, grapes would be a profitable crop. It is 

 true the fruit was not so large as in some seasons, but it all ripened. The 

 show at the Annual Exhibition was especially fine in this department. 

 W. C. Strong presented many varieties, twenty-five or more, making a very 

 interesting and instructive exhibition. Prominent among these was the 

 Allen's Hybrid, to which he has paid great attention; also, Delaware, Con- 

 cord, and others. The several numbers of Rogers's Hybrids in his collection 

 were not generally ripe at this time. E. A. Brackett showed some very fine 

 specimens of the Crevelling, lona, Delaware, and others. The first-named 

 was the finest we have seen, and seems to justify all that has been said of it. 

 J. W. Bailey sent some specimens of the new grape Adirondac, which were 

 fully ripe, and seemed to have been so for some days ; thus showing that they 

 ripened this year by the middle of September. This new grape is one of 

 decidedly high flavor, of' fine appearance, being black, and of good size, both 

 in berry and bunch. If it shall prove to be, as it is claimed, as early or earlier 

 than the Hartford Prolific, — the earliest grape of respectable character that we 

 now have, — with its superior quality, it will take a high place in the vineyards 

 of those who grow grapes for market, as well as for home use. In wood and 

 foliage it very closely resembles the Isabella. The lona, shown by Mr. Brack- 

 ett, is one of Dr. Grant's new seedlings, and has been in the market but one 

 or two years. It is the color of the Delaware, oval shape, slightly mottled and 

 striped, rather loose bunch, berries medium size, excellent quality, superior to 



