FRUIT committee's REPORT. 41 



market. We shall be sorry, however, to see this standard fruit fall into neg- 

 lect, even in Massachusetts, though we are aware that our New York neigh- 

 bors stand ready to supply any deficiency that may at any time exist here. 



Every cultivator should see to it that no vermin are allowed to multiply 

 upon his premises, to destroy not only his own trees, but those of the whole 

 neighborhood, thereby rendering almost useless the efforts of his more care- 

 ful neighbor. Let us still cling to this fruit, in the belief that we may yet 

 successfully fight all enemies and get good crops. Specimens of the St. 

 Lawrence were shown to us, of which we have formed a favorable opinion ; 

 very handsome and of good quality. We are not enough acquainted with it 

 to speak of its productiveness or value for general cultivation. 



We pass from the apple to the Pear, a fruit that has engrossed the attention 

 of horticulturists, for some years past, to a greater degree than any other. 

 Perhaps it is not saying too much, when we express the opinion that, in no 

 part of the United States can a better exhibition of pears be made than 

 around Boston. The pear tree seems to flourish better here than further back 

 in the country, and far better results are obtained ; either because more pains 

 are taken, or the soil and climate suit it better. 



In many small gardens the pear tree is set to the entire exclusion of the 

 apple. The crop of pears was fully up to an average one the past season? 

 and though, in some localities, affected by the drouth, yet the deficiency was 

 more than compensated for in the beauty and quality of the specimens pro- 

 duced. Hovey & Co. have taken the lead in quantity and variety, both 

 through the season and at the annual exhibition. M. P. Wilder has also 

 been a large contributor. W. R. Austin showed magnificent fruit, as he 

 always does, both on the tables and in his model orchard at home. Josiah 

 Stickney, Joseph Breck, H. Vandine, J. C. Chase, and a large number of others, 

 have shown splendid specimens.* Pears have sold at a high price in the mar- 

 ket, and must have been a remunerative crop. After the very elaborate and 

 highly valuable report on this subject last year, written by the late Chairman 

 of our Committee, it does not become necessary to do more than to give a 

 brief notice of the new pears to which our attention has been called. 

 S. A. ShurtlefF favored us again with specimens of his new pear. Gen. Banks, 

 which was of medium size, round, rather long stem, color yellow, with a red 

 cheek, a little gritty at the core, melting, juicy, fine grained, and of fine flavor, 

 promising, and worthy of a further trial. Another, called Gen. Grant, was 

 tested on the first of October; large size, pyriform, nearly melting, sweet, 

 fine grained, and seems worthy of a further trial. 



On the 29th of the same month. Dr. Shurtleff sent in the Diman, of which 

 we can only say it is small size, russety, with red cheek, sweet, but lacks 



* D. T. Curtis placed on exhibition a Duchesse d'Angouleme pear, which he obtained of G. B. 

 Jastram, grown by Charles Hova, of Los Angelos, California, weighing 4 lbs., circumference 17 3-4 

 inches, diameter 8 inches, being the largest pear of which the Society have any record. It wa« 

 afterwards contributed to the Sailor's Fair, and sold for a large sum. 



