3^ Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



ling cherries exhibited by Mr. Welsh, fully maintained the reputation 

 awarded them in former reports. 



On the 17th July, J. P. Gushing, Esq., contributed melons of several 

 varieties, including the Persian green flesh, which were of superior flavor. 

 Messrs. Hovey & Co. presented for the first time the Hunter melon, which 

 promises an acquisition in this department. 



On the 17th July, Mrs. F. B. Durfee exhibited a fine bunch of 

 Victoria grapes, weighing two pounds three ounces, and one of Black 

 Hamburgh, weighing two pounds six ounces, both in perfection of maturity. 



The contributions of grapes from Mr. Allen's houses have been as liberal 

 as in former years ; in fact there has hardly been a week in which he has 

 failed to grace the tables of the Society ; his contributions of new varieties 

 and seedlings have been dealt out with no stinted hand, when the Commit- 

 tee desired to test the quality. In fact, there has been favors of this kind 

 at the hands of all contributors of fruits, to the view of disseminating knowl- 

 edge in this department. 



The Committee herewith append a note from Mr. Allen, believing it con- 

 tains information which may prove valuable to the growers of grapes: — 



Gentlemen, — I present for your examination the list of grapes, as per 

 memorandum at foot. They were cut this day from vines in my retarding 

 house. It will show you the result of my experiments for the last ten 

 years, to ascertain the kinds of grapes suitable for winter eating, and such 

 as are proper for a retarding house. J. Fisk Allen. 



December 24, 1852. 



"This list contains the kinds which are as fresh as possible: — 

 Prince Albert, Queen of Nice, Syrian, Porteau Noir, Black Portugal, 

 Whortley Hall Seedling, Muscat of Alexandria. 



Black Hamburgh and Wilmot's New Black Hamburgh and Victoria 

 Hamburgh, dry up some. 



These kinds dry up badly : — All the Frontignans dry badly, Black, White 

 and Grizzly. 



Black St. Peters is uncertain ; some years it keeps well ; other years it 

 dries. Zinfindal dries badly." 



Mr. J. S. Amory exhibited some beautiful specimens of gooseberries, 

 with the following note, containing the valuable information wliich has 

 alone been wanting to encourage an extension of the cultivation of this 

 delicious and refreshing berry : — 



" Gentlemen, — Having failed entirely in the cultivation of gooseberries, 

 I had abandoned the attempt, when, having observed that some one at the 

 South had succeeded, by paving under the bushes, I procured some new 

 plants, which I set out in the middle of a row of paving about two feet wide ; 

 the result is entirely satisfactory." 



So far as the experience of the past few years attest, the " Houghton 

 Seedling" has been contributed in abundance by a few exhibitors, showing 

 no deterioration in quality, not being subject, alike Avith most other varie- 

 ties, to the blight. 



Aug. 7th, Mr. J. W. Foster contributed a seedling gooseberry of an extra 



