1847.] RERORT ON VEGETABLES. 19 



these vegetable fruits at our future Anniversaries, and moreover, that your 

 Committee be not always prevented from passin^i; judgment on the jlavor, as 

 well as on the appearance of such rare esculents. 



There were some specimens of Peppers noticed by the Committee ; the best 

 lot from the garden of Dr. H. Sargent, of Worcester, and a fine looking stalk 

 of three, from Mr. Charles Adams. 



Wc were pleased to find several lots of the common Potato, — known as the 

 "poor man's bread and the rich man's luxury," wherever it is introduced. It 

 is said that this important vegetable originated in South America ; that it was 

 first noiiced and mentioned by an ancient author, Clusing; was introduced into 

 Europe, and brought to this country in the year 1719 by some emigrants from 

 Ireland. Mr. Joshua Coffin, in his history of Newbury, states that they were 

 first raised in this country at the garden of Nathaniel Walker, Esq., of Andover, 

 and were first planted in beds like onions, under the name of pertaters, or 

 patater. In the history of Worcester, William Lincoln, Esq., informs us that 

 they were first cultivated in Worcester by emigrants, and that when a few were 

 given to our townsmen for trial, the poor harmless vegetables were secretly 

 destroyed, for fear of poisonous designs entertained by those foreigners ! As 

 to the character of those exhibited a word may be said. The most flourishing 

 that were entered for inspection, were the large, long Red Potato, from Gardner 

 Paine, of Worcester; and there were also fine specimens of the Early Hill and 

 Carter family, all from the same successful Gardener. Mr. T. V. Sullivan 

 entered five "Silver Skins," the seed from which they were raised being from 

 Penobscot County, Maine. Several of the " Early June " Potatoes were 

 exhibited by Mr. R. Waterman. These were raised from the ball; were planted 

 April 7th, and sent to market June 13th, — a fact to which your Committee 

 would call the especial notice of the Society. A letter from the Officers of the 

 Providence Horticultural Society speaks of them in high terms, and certifies to 

 our Society that Mr. Waterman has heretofore received a premium for the 

 same. 



Of the curcurbitae pejjones, or plain Pumpkins exhibited, there was one 

 weighing forty-one pounds, and the finest looking of the kind, entered by Mr. 

 James Comstock, of Blackstone ;■ also six Pie Pumpkins, by Mr. Gardner 

 Paine. 



Several Ruta Bagas were noticed, — the best belonging to Mr. T. V. Sullivan, 

 and several by our enterprising townsman, John F. Pond, Esq. 



A veteran Squash, showing signs of its age by a visible crooked neck, at- 

 tracted the attention of your Committee. It is the production of A. D. 1846, 

 and was raised by that indefatigable gardener, gentleman and scholar, George 

 Jaques, Esq., of Worcester. Two mammoth Squashes, — one of fifty-one pounds 

 and one of sixty-eight and one-fourth pounds weight, — were entered by Wm. 

 0. Bartlett, Esq., and deserve high commendation. There were several other 

 fine specimens exhibited by Messrs. E. Perry, J. Southwick, B. N. Childs, and 

 J. C. Mason. 



