47 



Curtis, Jamaica Plain. Mr. Hicroiiimas Popp, of Jamaica 

 Plain, made a beautiful display of Native, Rogers' Hybrid and 

 Concord grapes, which attracted much attention. Hon. P. W. 

 Bird, of Walpole, offered some very fine peaches. A. D. Capen, 

 of Dorchester, presented a fine specimen of the cele])rated 

 Sparluiwk apple, grown upon his farm, the scion of which was 

 obtained from the original Sparhawk tree in Walpole, N. H. 

 In the centre of one of the tables, a large basket of fruit was 

 tastefully arranged by C. F. Curtis, Jamaica Plain. A most 

 interesting feature in this department was a large box of Cali- 

 fornia fruit, presented by Mr. George E. Morse, of Dedham, in 

 behalf of Mr. P. D. Atherton, a native of Dedham, and brother 

 of Mrs. Morse. The fruit was grown at Valparaiso Park, Sac- 

 ramento, and consisted of monstrous specimens of Benrre 

 Clairg-eau, Dnchesse (V Angouleme^ Beurre Diel, and White 

 Doyenne pears, and Minister and Fall Pippin apples. The fruit 

 of such monstrous size was raised from scions sent to Mr. Ath- 

 erton by Colonel Wilder three years ago. The trees had received 

 no water since last April. The fruit was tested by the officers 

 of the Society and the Fruit Committee, in accordance with the 

 request of Mr. Atherton, under direction of Messrs. Wilder and 

 Walker, and it was formally decided that the pears were of re- 

 markable beauty, but picked too early, and were dry and want- 

 ing in juice. The Beurre Bosc, however, was declared to be 

 first rate ; and the White Doyenne was decided to Tbe the old 

 St. Michael restored to its pristine beauty and flavor. 



The Floral department was less attractive than usual, although 

 fine displays were made by George Craft', Brookline, Mrs. W. 

 J. Stuart, Hyde Park, Mrs. George Vose, Milton, and others. 

 The vegetaljle department was filled to its utmost capacity by 

 contributions rarely equalled in any county. Among the more 

 extensive exhibitions were those of Messrs. C. & C. Mackntosh, 

 of Needham, and John Sias, of Milton. A. F. Stevens, of 

 Wellesley, displayed thirty-five varieties. To demonstrate the 

 fact that sweet potatoes can be grown successfully within our 

 State, Mr. S. G. Beal, of Quincy, and Jackson Belcher, of Ran- 

 dolph, each showed one lot. In Mr. Stevens' lot of vegetables 

 was a Golden Carolina squash, which has attained a remarkable 

 size. The seeds of this quality of squash were found in Charles- 

 ton, S. C, by one of our soldiers during the late war, and by 



