78 ON FRUIT. 



ty, where I saw the black flea-beetle and some aphides on the 

 potato-vines in August. I do not hear uf any disease having 

 been found in the crop when dug. It was feared that the dis- 

 ease would follow the copious rain that fell in September ; but 

 the crop docs not seem to have been affected thereby. How 

 do these remarks agree with yom- own observations ? Will 

 tbe Lowell gentlemen give the result of their experience on 

 the insect theory ? I suspect that when farmers make their 

 returns, if they speak to the point in fid I, the insect theory 

 will be overthrown entirely. 



Yours, truly, and respectfully, 



THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS. 



ON FRUIT. 



The Committee on Fruits and Flowers respectfully Report, 

 that notwithstanding the prediction of many that our Show of 

 the Fruits would be small, owing to the Horticultural Exhi- 

 bition of the Essex Institute coming off on the same day, and 

 although we did not expect many contributors from this city, 

 still we were highly gratified with tbe varieties presented, 

 which exceeded our expectations. Peaches, pears, apples, 

 plnms, and grapes, would favorably compare with any previous 

 year, particularly the fine peaches and pears from Mr. Pettin- 

 gill. of l^opsfield. The pears grown upon his farm have con- 

 vinced Uo that the finest Flemish varieties can be grown suc- 

 cessfully in the country, unprotected by brick walls or fences. 

 These pears are simply planted out in his peach orclmrd, which 

 gives a mutual protection to each kind. Further remarks rela- 

 tive to the soil, sub-soil, mode of culture, &c. &c., will appear 

 in the printed Report, as well as a catalogue of all the contribu- 

 tors. There were five hundred fourteen plates of fruit from 

 seventy-seven contributors. The following gratuities were 

 awarded by your Committee : 



To Moses Pettingill, 3 00. Moody Ordway, 2 50. W. 

 G.Lake, 3 00. David Roberts, 2 00. Stephen Driver, 1 50. 



