63 



EEPOllT ON FRUIT. 



The quantity of Fruit exhibited this year was less than usual, 

 althoui^h the quaUty was excellent. Natui-e has given us froAvns 

 as well as smiles. The early frosts of the antumu of last year, 

 which injured the unripened wood and tender shoots of thrifty 

 trees, and the severely cold weather and sudden changes of the 

 7th and 8th of last February, which destroyed a very large pro- 

 portion of the fruit blossoms of New England, were alike beyond 

 the control of the horticulturist. The cherry, the peach and the 

 plum have borne us no fruit. Even the hardy currant had its 

 blossoms destroyed in exposed situations above the snow line. 

 Apples and pears have entirely failed in most localities, although 

 in some favored and sheltered gardens near the sea-shore, they 

 have fairly rewarded the labor and care bestowed upon them. 



Foremost among our contributors of apples for many years, 

 stood Thaddeus Clapp, of Dorchester, who has, since our last ex- 

 hibition, passed on before us to other labors ; but the noble old 

 trees, among which he passed his quiet and beautiful life, have not 

 failed this year to bear witness again to his thoughtful care. As 

 your Committee were about to enter upon their labors — fearing to 

 find only a beggarly account of empty boxes — they were surprised 

 and cheered to see the long table covered with apples from that 

 well-sheltered orchard near Boston line, as fair and ruddy in ap- 

 pearance and as redolent of fragrance as though there had never 

 been frost, or unfavorable weather, or noxious insects ; and we 

 stood a little while silently by the tempting display, feeling how 

 fitting a memorial it was of our desparted brother. May the ap- 

 ple blossoms drop lightly on his grave ! 



There were tempting displays of pears from several contribu- 

 tors, including some eighty varieties from the President of the 

 Society, who declined as usual, to compete for the premiums ; very 

 fine foreign grapes grown by Charles B. Shaw, Esq., of Dedham ; 

 and native grapes from many contributors, comprising fine speci- 

 mens of the Concord, Diana, Delaware, Rebecca, Hartford Pro- 

 lific, and others. Among the new varieties of great promise, we 

 wish to call attention particularly to the new hybrids exhibited by 

 Col. Wilder, called Rogers' Hardy— Nos. 3, 4, 15, 19 and 33. 

 The many excellent varieties of this fruit that have been produced 

 in the last fcAV years, show that we are on the right track in this 

 branch of horticulture. 



For contributions not otherwise mentioned, the Committee would 

 thankfully mention B. F. Baker, James Prince and Wm. H. Mami, 



