15 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS, 

 Awarding Premiums for 1853. 



The Committee take pleasure in congratulating the Society on the em- 

 inent success appertaining to this branch of its fostering care. Results have 

 been attained the past season, developing the capabilities of soil and 

 climate in perfecting the choicest varieties of fruits — more particularly tiie 

 pear — that would compensate for years of toil. 



It may well be questioned whether like results could be shown, in regard 

 to the last named variety, in any exhibition in any country, — we are aware 

 of the purport of language ; and still do not hesitate to consider the remark 

 as stable. 



During the same time our amateurs have not been backward in pro- 

 ducing seedlings of every variety of fruit, while in pears a diligence has 

 been shown deserving the warmest praise of those who have ever felt that 

 the parent society should be enabled to go on with an increasing and dis- 

 seminating influence. 



With limited means, the Society has been enabled, through its rich dis- 

 play from week to week, to afford the public an opportunity to compare and 

 compete to an extent almost literally to the loading down of the tables al- 

 lotted to this department. And the Committee would here bespeak the 

 thanks of the Society, for a few who have come forward week after week 

 during the whole season, affording from their own grounds a display which 

 in many localities would alone form exhibitions of merit, viz. : The Presi- 

 dent, Messrs. Hovey & Co., F. & E. Burr, M. P. Wilder, Samuel Walker, 

 J. Fisk Allen, W. C. Strong, M. H. Simpson, Henry Vandine, Josiah 

 Lovett, Winship & Co., Breck & Son, A. W. Stetson, J. P. Cushin?, 

 Azell Bowditch, E. M. Richards, Samuel Downer, Jr., W. R. Austin, Mrs. 

 F. B. Durfee, Josiah Stickney, C. E. Grant, Messrs. Stetsons, Francis 

 Dana, Hyde & Co., B. Harrington, J. B. Moore, Frederick Tudor, and 

 many others, of whom honorable mention might be made. 



It may well be deemed a task when the Committee are called upon to 

 decide the premiums where all are excellent, and so much superior to the 

 contributions of former years, and, though they have been obliged to de- 

 clare in favor of one or another who happened to compose the Committee, it 

 must be remembered that your Committee is obliged to be made up of such 

 members as have made this a zealous choice, and for years have been striv- 

 ing to attain to a superiority of culture, and of necessity the Society must 

 bear in mind that to them is due some share in the getting up from their 

 own grounds these liberal contributions. 



To shut them out as competitors a result would entail on the Society, 

 depriving it of some of the largest experience, for the very information 

 required could not be obtained to do duty in this department. And to the 

 better understanding in the premises, we would say, that it is distinct- 

 ly understood in Committee, that unless such fruits or specimens are 



