36 



Nectarines, grown under glass, have been contributed liberally dur- 

 ing the season by J. F. Allen and others. Those shown by Mr. Harris, 

 gardener to H. H. Hunnewell, were the Stanwick, which eclipsed all 

 others, both last year and the present. 



Peaches. — Forced peaches were more fully brought in this year, during 

 the early months, — and subsequently to July we had handsome displays from 

 houses without the aid of fire heat. Orchard culture proved almost an 

 entire failure. 



Pears. — The season not having been very favorable to the pear crop, 

 a limited number of new varieties have fruited the present year, and 

 such as have been exhibited have not been very remarkable specimens. 

 What we have said previously in regard to the excellence of our Ameri- 

 can seedlings, we have found verified by the experience of another year. 

 Many of them were among the finest pears exhibited, and few handsomer 

 specimens were shown than those of the Adams, Sheldon, Abbot, Boston, 

 Seckel, Andrews, Lawrence, Merriam, &c. 



Such a complete list of the principal varieties of pears presented at the 

 Annual Exhibition has been prepared by Mr. Manning, that we need not 

 occupy space in a more particular reference to them here ; at the same 

 time we cannot omit to mention a few kinds which struck us as unusually 

 fine, even in this rather unfavorable season. These were the Beurre Su- 

 perfin, which promises to become a valuable variety ; Beurre Sterckman, 

 very handsome; Abbott, another very excellent native pear; Henkel, of 

 great merit; St. Michael Archange, large and fine. 



Merriam, a native, which has seemed to escape the attention of pear 

 cultivators, though known for several years, has been shown in remarkable 

 excellence, attracting the attention of all by its rich warm russet hue, and 

 satisfying all by its many fine qualities ; it will become one of the most 

 popular market pears, being an enormous bearer, ripening well, and coming 

 in at a favorable season just after the Bartlett. 



The Supreme de Quimper, exhibited by the Messrs. Hovey, proved one 

 of the best early pears, quite equal to the Doyenne d'Ete, and much larger ; 

 it will compare favorably with any of the summer varieties, of which the 

 number is yet limited. 



The Beurre Clairgeau has been exhibited by several cultivators, and in 

 various stages of excellence as well as beauty. Though the Committee 

 found much difference in the quality of the specimens tested, they believe 

 that when the trees are more advanced and well established, it will prove 

 equal to its reputation. Age is undoubtedly required with this as well as 

 with many other pear trees, before the true qualities of the fruit can be 

 ascertained. Its size and beauty, in addition to its good qualities, will ren- 

 der it a popular kind. 



Plums. — The Thomas plum was shown by Messrs. Hovey ; a handsome 

 exhibition of the Reine Claude de Bavay, by J. B. Loomis. Also, a fine 

 exhibition was made by Thos. Hastings, of the Diamond. 



Henry Vandine has been enabled to continue his exhibition in its 

 usual abundance. No one could compete with Mr. Vandine for quantity 



