Massachusetts Hoiticultural Society, 35 



plicable cause the results have not met expectations. It is still to be hoped, 

 however, that propagators and amateurs will appreciate the advantages to 

 themselves, and to the advancement of the science of Horticulture, and by 

 the means of introducing such new objects foster the taste for the rare, the 

 curious, beautiful, scientific and useful. 



And further, the Society offers inducements also for the originating of 

 new fruits and vegetables, and doubtless will offer stronger. Of late there 

 have been presented many very fine seedling peaches, strawberries and 

 some gooseberries ; but there are other species to which attention should be 

 directed : Grapes — cannot our native varieties be improved by hybridizing 

 with the finer foreign to advantage ? Also Pears — cannot others equal to 

 the Sickel or the Pennsylvania be produced ? And so of Plums, Apples, 

 Cherries and other fruits. And Culinary Vegetables — a new Potato is 

 much wanted : the old Mercer is in its decline ; and many other products of 

 the soil better known to the cultivator, might be improved, and will meet, 

 in all probability, with due encouragement from the Society." 



Mr. Schmitz took all the seven prizes for dahlias principally with his 

 own seedlings. (Society^s Report, 1844.) 



Premiums for Essays on Horticulture and Agriculture. — The New York 

 State Agricultural Society will hold its Annual Convention at Albany about 

 the middle of the present month, and will remain in session several days. The 

 Society will at that time decide upon the merits of the various Essays upon 

 Horticultural and Agricultural subjects, offered for the Society's premiums. 

 The mornings and afternoons will be devoted to business, at the Agricul- 

 tural Hall, in the old State House, and the evening to sociable intercourse 

 among the members of the State and County Societies, and other friends of 

 Agriculture, in the State of New York, and the neighboring States. It is 

 expected that the occasion will be one of much interest to the friends of 

 Agriculture, and a large attendance is anticipated. — Ed. 



Art. II. Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Saturday, November 23d, 1844. Exhibited. — Fruit : From S. Walker, 

 Columbia Virgoulouse, Beurre d'Aremberg, Glout Morceau and Princess 

 of Orange Pears. From W. Oliver, Althorpe Crassane and Glout Morceau 

 pears. Pears from Dr. E. Wight, without name. 



November 30th. Exhibited. — Fruits: From Mr. George Baker, Streat- 

 ham, N. H., an apple called the Piper, said to be a seedling : the speci- 

 mens were over ripe ; the color is yellow, of handsome appearance, but 

 only of second rate quality. 



December 7th. — An adjourned meeting of the Society was held to-day— 

 the President in the chair. 



The Chairman of the building committee reported that the committee had 

 made sale of land or light, &c., upon certain restrictions, to the proprietors 

 of the Mansion Estate, for $ 300. 



