136 



largest and best ripened specimens that we have ever seen 

 placed on exhibition, the aroma of vv^hich carries the 

 middle-aged person back to the days of his childhood, 

 before the days of canning, not only of all manner of 

 fruits, but fish, flesh and fowlas vrell —when the good, 

 old-fashioned boiled cider apple sauce for a standard, 

 with a small jar of peach or quince, or perhaps a little 

 pure bee's honey in the comb —for special occasions — all 

 the handiwork of the frugal housewife, sufficed to grace 

 the festive board. 



But now how changed! Not only have we multiplied 

 the varieties adapted to our climate, but the four quarters 

 of the earth are forced to contribute to our bill of fare. 

 The quince will flourish in any good garden soil, with 

 plenty of sun, though it appears to do best when planted 

 near some small water course, perhaps near the outlet of the 

 sink drain. Its greatest enemy is the borer, and the heap 

 of coal ashes about the trunk of the tree is its best pro- 

 tection. Soap suds will well repay the trouble for the 

 weekly application. 



Fruits, which not many years ago were looked upon as 

 rare luxuries, have come to be classed as the necessities of 

 life. This fact is abundantly attested by the fine and con- 

 stant displays which meet our view on every hand as we go 

 about the streets. The demand is still increasing, and 

 when we say that ^I'e times as much fruit is used to every 

 thousand persons as fifteen years ago, we think the 

 statement beloiv the actual figure. And the general health 

 of the community has been much improved thereby. 

 Fresh, ripe fruits should be acceptable to every well- 

 educated stomach. 



REPORT ON ESSAYS AND FARM ACCOUNTS. 



The Committee on Essays and Farm Accounts respect- 

 fully report that their duties this year were light, as but 

 few papers were submitted for their consideration. 



