27 



December, (the day assigned,) plainly showing that superior specimens were 

 not to be had. 



Amongst the seedlings handed in, we would mention in terms of com- 

 mendation/or the table, a red apple, under medium size, shown by Austin J. 

 Roberts, Middleborough, Mass. In a note to the Committee Mr R. says, 

 " these apples are of uniform size, great productiveness, and possess the 

 property of long keeping." The Committee can bear witness to its hand- 

 some appearance and good flavor. The apple originated in Pike County, 

 Illinois. 



A single dish of the Melon (Norton Melon) was exhibited. This apple orig- 

 inated in the State of New York, is slow of growth while young, but proves 

 prolific, is a handsome apple, of delicious flavor, and is in eating from 

 November to February. Red apples, on a yellow or russety ground, com- 

 mand a good price for the table, when it would be difficult to dispose of 

 such as have a green skin. For this reason, the Gravenstein, Hubbardston, 

 Fameuse, Polish, Mother, and Baldwin are sold readily for dressing off* 

 tables. Sweet apples, during winter, also command a good price, and well 

 repay for culture. 



Apricots have proved an entire failure, so much so, that there has not 

 been made a single award under this head, and we are inclined to the opin- 

 ion that the culture of this fruit, together with the plum, will have to be 

 abandoned, on account of injury from the curculio. 



Blackberries have been brought in abundantly during its season, and 

 for a much longer time than usual. Mr. James Nugent continued to show 

 them, for the reason that the first shown were grown on a southern ex- 

 posure, while those shown at a later day were grown under a northern 

 exposure. The variety shown by Mr. Nugent was the Dorchester, and it 

 will be noted that every premium was carried off" by the Dorchester, though 

 the Lawton was shown in abundance. And it is worthy of mention, that in 

 each and every instance where the Committee questioned the contributors 

 for the purpose of learning their individual opinion as to the merits of the 

 one or the other variety for market, there was not a single dissenting voice 

 as to the superiority of the Dorchester over the Lawton — in fact, nearly all 

 said they should abandon the cultivation of the Lawton as not repaying 

 them sufficiently well while they could have the Dorchester. 



Though some of the Committee believe both possess merit, a large mi- 

 nority do not deem the Lawton even worth cultivating, except for a small 

 garden, where they can be picked and such as are ripe selected for the 

 table : if picked previous to maturity it is not even palatable. While the 

 Dorchester is not lacking in any one requisite which the Lawton possesses, 

 it is superior in many respects to the latter. The Dorchester is of superior 

 flavor ; the berry is much larger ; is equally as hardy, and fully as prolific, 

 and when ripened bears carriage, and therein is decidedly superior to the 

 Lawton. The former retains its black lustral quality, while the latter, 

 immediately after picking, changes to a reddish bronze, and to most tastes 

 its sour or acidulous flavor is not agreeable, and it would require an 

 additional amount of sugar to make it palatable. The Committee have 



