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opinion. Since the blackberry is so easily propagated by a division of the 

 root into small sections, it can readily be increased to an almost unlimited 

 extent. 



Of the plum crop, we have to record an almost entire failure the past 

 season. 



And we have to record the same difficulty in the apple, as a n-eneral 

 crop ; tliough there have been a few isolated cases in which specimens 

 have been presented, sufficient to cover the rules for prizes at the exhibitions. 

 We would instance in point of a general failure, and believe it is in ac- 

 cordance with the crop throughout New England. During nearly every 

 year since the establishment of the Society, the Hon. B. V. French has 

 carried oif the premium for the "largest and best collection," offering hun- 

 dreds of varieties in competition, while the past season no award lias been 

 made for a large and extensive collection, and Mr. French has not been able 

 to show one where hundreds previously adorned the tables at our Annual 

 Exhibition. The only variety of apple worthy of particular note, exhibited 

 the past season, was the " Size," a seedling from W. A. Andrews, Dover, 

 N. H., (by Messrs. Hovey & Co.,) of which a few dozen were offered, and of 

 so rich a coloring as to prove the main attraction in the fruit department. 

 This was on the 21st of May, giving evidence that it is a late keeping va- 

 riety. On testing it proved abundantly juicy, and of a rich flavor. In size, 

 it is above medium ; a high, warm, rich red on a yellow ground ; deep 

 red to the sun, and, for its great beauty alone, must prove a desirable table 

 fruit. 



It might not be deemed the province of this Committee at this time, and 

 in this place, to enter fully into the feasibility of growers undertaking the 

 cultivation of the apple extensively, other than with local or tried varieties — 

 such as have their habitations hereabouts, or, in other words, seedlings pro- 

 duced in this vicinity — it is a subject deserving attention when newly plant- 

 ing an orchard, and we would advise such persons to look about and learn 

 what varieties have done well in their neighborhood — for trees have a hab- 

 itation. 



The Annual Exhibition for the past year was held under the large 

 pavilion on the Common, and proved an object of greater attraction than did 

 that of 1852, which by many had been deemed unapproachable. Many 

 new contributors came in, successfully carrying off" the award over those 

 who for years had been recipients, showing conclusively, that with a small 

 allotment of ground, well cared for, the finest specimens can be produced 

 for competition, under the head of " the best twelve specimens," and 

 " best single dishes." So far as the pear was concerned, better growth of 

 all specimens was visible on every side. 



It is to be hoped that arrangements may be made the coming year, by 

 which the exhibition may be continued for a greater length of time, ena- 

 bling strangers to avail themselves, when several of the leading societies 

 may chance to assign the same day for tlie opening — and also giving the 

 members an opportunity to visit other exhibitions occurring about the same 

 time. 



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