37 



and variety. Honorable mention could be made of others who have shown 

 them, but we do not feel that it would be right to encourage the setting out 

 of plum trees, while so many are cutting down their trees in consequence 

 of the continued depredation committed by the curculio. The unsightly 

 appearance which the trees bear, in almost every direction, makes thetn 

 mere cumberers of the ground. 



Quinces. — The quince seems to have shared the fate of the apple, pear 

 and cherry in the setting of its fruit, if we can judge from our own expe- 

 rience and the small number that have been shown. We might say of this 

 fruit, that the crop has proved an entire failure, throughout the New Eng- 

 land States. 



Raspberries. — Established varieties have taken the lead this season 

 for all the prizes, yet the Committee still hold to the favorable opinion ex- 

 pressed of the Orange (a seedling by Dr. Brinckle) in their report last 

 year. 



A Sub-Committee found the Catawissa in a bearing condition in the 

 grounds of Mr. Breck, who expressed a highly favorable opinion of the 

 variety. Its greatest merit will be in the fact that it is one of the best 

 for procuring seedlings from. 



Most of the varieties which are in general cultivation claim to be har- 

 dy, withstanding our severe winters without protection. 'Many of them 

 may be, yet it is better to turn them down and cover every autumn, as 

 insuring an increased crop the following year. It is but little trouble 

 to do it, and it will repay in the abundance of fruit which follows such 

 care. 



Strawberries. — Last year the Committee awarded Isaac Fay the 

 Lyman Plate, valued at fifty dollars, for his seedling called " Jenny Lind," 

 being the best seedling strawberry, after a trial of three years. Mr. Fay 

 had exhibited his strawberry for more than three years, but the Committee 

 believed the spirit and meaning of the prospective prize offered was that 

 the fruit should have been tested in regard to prolificness, hardiness, &c, 

 and of this fact we could not have a true knowledge, except through its 

 dissemination. One of the very best strawberries ever grown, Hovey's, 

 was disseminated over the whole country, and there was but one opinion 

 expressed of it ; all were unanimous in its favor, and it was some ten years 

 after originating it, that the Society awarded Messrs. Hovey the Society's 

 Plate, valued at fifty dollars. 



Though a fruit should have been in the hands of the originator a length 

 of time, and it may be for his interest so to retain it, we do not believe the 

 Society is called on for the fulfilment of its offer under the head of 

 " Prospective Prizes," till the Committee is satisfied that it is the best, 

 in all respects, for the time being. The Jenny Lind strawberry has been 

 shown the past season by several persons, and it has been uniformly good, 

 though the best shown this season was Sir Charles Napier, by Messrs. 

 Hovey. 



