53 



...50. Gratuity, to George AV^ Peabody, Wenham, for 

 box blackberries. 



J. W. Goodell. Nathaniel Dole, E. K. Lee, James W. 

 Bond — Committee. 



As chairman of the committee on grapes, peaches and 

 /assorted fruits, at the Essex Agricultural fair, held at Pea- 

 body, Sept. 17, 18 and 19, 1895, we would make the fol- 

 lowing additional report and suggestions. We were much 

 gratified to see the extra large display of grapes, and the 

 general good quality of the same. Also the increased at- 

 •tention to the earlier varieties which are pretty sure to 

 ripen before the killing frosts appear. 



Especially we would commend the efforts of Mr. A. C. 

 Osborn in this direction, who exhibited three varieties 

 raised by him from seed, all of which he claims to be as 

 ■early as Moore's Early or Champion, we deem them worthy 

 of the attention of grape growers, and if they develop qual- 

 ity as well as earliness, he surely should receive the esteem 

 and favors of the society. Since the time of holding our 

 Fair, E. W. Bull, the originator of the Concord grape, has 

 passed on to his rewards, and this hardy grape of excellent 

 quality is left as his legacy to a larger circle of mankind 

 than ariy other known grape. It has, to us, only one 

 known drawback and that is, now and then, being caught 

 by frost. If its perfect ripening could be assured every 

 year the legacy would be doubly rich, especially for all N. 

 E. States. 



In this connection we would call the attention of the 

 Society to Moor's Diamond, a white grape of superior ex- 

 .cellence of flavor and general appearance, and early ripen- 

 ing. The specimens exhibited on Sept. 17th were perfectly 

 ripened, and excellent in quality, and in our opinion is one 

 of the most promising early grapes for N. E. planting. 



In passing judgment and awarding a premium on the 

 .collection of grapes, we found two collections only, these 

 «were piled upon large plates, one claiming to have eleven 



