16 



of a decidedly marked superiority, the preference shall be given to the 

 contributor outside of the Committee. Your Committee are impelled to this 

 statement, with the view that all competitors may feel that exact justice 

 will be awarded to each and every contributor, and, certainly, if there is 

 vantage-ground anywhere, it is with him who does not go through the 

 cheerful, though unpaid and uncoveted duties from week to week during 

 the whole year. 



To the better understanding of the responsibilities resting on them, each 

 member is provided with a book " in which shall be kept a true record 

 of all contributions from week to week," and in which weights, measures, 

 &c., Slc, are carefully noted ; and though a casual observer, carrying in 

 mind from one exhibition to another, might not deem the award in all cases 

 agreeable with his judgment, it must be borne in mind that when the 

 awards receive final action it is in full council, bringing to their aid the 

 contents of each and every record made — and we take satisfaction in stat- 

 ing, that such awards have been made in perfect unanimity. 



Much attention has been given to the introduction of desirable varieties 

 of pears by importation, and we would instance the names of a few who 

 have carried out such arrangements on the most liberal scale, viz. : Hon. 

 J. S. Cabot, Hon. M. P. Wilder, Hon. Samuel Walker, Messrs. Hovey &, 

 Co., and Robert Manning, each of whom have liberally furnished specimens 

 at fruition, though they might chance to perfect but a single specimen. 



Among the modern pears which have fully sustained their former reputa- 

 tion, and may be considered as valuable for general cultivation, are the fol- 

 lowing sorts, viz. : Poire d'Albret, Beurr6 Clairgeau, Grand Soliel, 13eurr6 

 Sterkman, Nouveau Poiteau, Fondante de Malines, Beurr6 Langelier. 

 To which may be added the following, of native origin, viz. : Howell, 

 Sheldon, Dallas, Boston, Collins, Meriam, Wadleigh, and Kingsessing. 



Of the seedling pears heretofore spoken of as raised by Mr. Francis 

 Dana, the Committee have tested as ripening in course, and see now no 

 reason to change an opinion already expressed. The same can be said of 

 an excellent seedling called the Boston, offered by Messrs. Hovey, several 

 years in succession. 



In a former part of this report it will be noticed that we spoke of several 

 members who had been foremost in availing themselves of all that could 

 be brought to our aid by the introduction from abroad of such pears as had 

 received favorable notice, and we will herewith append the lists and re- 

 marks, as furnished by the several gentlemen. 



From the Hon. J. S. Cabot, Salem. Alexandre Lambre, Beurr6 Gens, 

 Choix d'un Amateur, Poire Rigoleau, Millot de Nancy, Estnor Castle, 

 Blanc Per Ne, Prevost, Belle Julie, Calebasse Delvigne. 



Dorchester, December 18, 1853. 

 To Eben Wight, Esq., Chairman of the Fruit Committee of the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Society. 



Sir, — In response to your note of yesterday, I herewith transmit descrip- 

 tions of new pears which I have exhibited the past season. The quality of 



