34 



zeal that you bestow on any other crop, and you will be sure 

 of a return that will fill your heart with satisfaction and your 

 purse with something useful. 



Apples. In this department, although the specimens as a 

 whole, were not quite equal to those of last year, yet the dis- 

 play was a good one and in some respects unequalled by those 

 of previous years. We hail with much pleasure the introduc- 

 tion of such varieties as the Graven stein, Minister, Hunt 

 Russett and some others. There were some very fine speci- 

 mens of the Northern Spy, grown on scions, 3 years set, 

 giving fine promise. Much too large a part of our collections 

 is made up of such apples as the Cathead Sweet and Blue 

 Pearmain, apples entirely unworthy the attention given to 

 them, while so many superior varieties may be obtained for 

 the asking. 



Pears. Of this fruit the display of varieties was quite in 

 advance of last year. We noticed fine specimens of many 

 that are but little known, but of good promise. For one pear, 

 the Flemish Beauty appeared to stand first, even before the 

 Bartlett, which is this year hardly up to its reputation. 



Of Peaches the display was quite unexpected. They were 

 shown from quite a number of sources, and in one instance 

 five varieties were from one contributor. The Early Craw- 

 ford, as usual, carries off the first premium. 



In the matter of Grapes, the Committee have refused to ac- 

 knowledge the Isabella as No. 1, and for these reasons: — 

 When asked which was the preferable grape upon the tables 

 to be eaten now, it was the unanimous opinion that the Early 

 Northern Muscadine stood first, and the Early Amber next. — 

 Both these grapes were ripe, and the first quite so, while the 

 Isabella was quite immature. In this vicinty the Isabella dees 

 not attain maturity oftener than once in three or four years, 

 which fact is sufficient to effectually prevent its cultivation as 

 a matter of profit. The others, although the berries are more 

 foxy than the Isabella, especially, in their perfume, are good 

 growers, perfectly hardy, and the fruit is sure to ripen. The 



