94 



are ornamented (?) by New York florists, but which are hap-» 

 pily seldom seen here. A covering of green moss or trailing' 

 wintergreen would have been much more appropriate. Anoth- 

 er basket was decorated with a row of pears around the out- 

 side, which were made to hang down by breaking the stems 

 partly through — a violence which the Committee could not 

 approve, and which, if unavoidable, should have been in some 

 way concealed. 



Your Committee regret to find themselves unable to speak 

 in higher terms of commendation of the fruits submitted to 

 their examination by those who have contributed of the best 

 which their gardens afforded. They are aware that this ina- 

 bility is largely caused by an unfavorable season and not by 

 any less of care or skill on the part of cultivators than usual. 

 Though the skill of the gardener is most forcibly shown in 

 counteracting the effects of unfavorable seasons, it cannot 

 wholly overcome them. In what the Committee have said, 

 they have been actuated only by a desire for improvement, 

 which cannot be promoted by indiscriminate praise. But it 

 is much pleasanter to praise than to point out defects, and 

 your Committee trust that another year may bring a more 

 genial season and afford the Committee appointed to pass up- 

 on these products an opportunity to congratulate the Society 

 and the exhibitors upon a fuller exhibition and l)etter speci- 

 mens, more carefully displayed, than ever before. 



The following premiums and gratuities are awarded : — 

 W. P. Bailey, West Newbury, best Yellow Flesh Peach, $2. 

 Premiums of $3 each for the following varieties of Grapes : 

 H. H. Wright, Lawrence, Concord ; H. H. Wright, Law- 

 rence, Hartford Prolific ; Mrs. D. H. Stickney, Groveland, 

 Isabella; R. Goodwin, Haverhill, Delaware ; S. J.Richards, 

 Lawrence, loua ; L.Bradley, Methuen, Clinton; R.Good- 

 win, Haverhill, Diana; Peter Wait, Danvers, Israella ; B. D. 

 Beadle, Lawrence, Wilder (Rogers) ; E. Grimes, Methuen^ 

 Merrimac (Rogers 19) ; J. Henry Hill, Amesbury, Rogei's 



