104 [ASS-EMBLT 



with precisely the same results. Notwithstanding these draw- 

 backs, we had some samples of native grapes of extraordinary 

 size and fine flavor. I ought here, in justice to Dr. Underhill 

 and others, to state that, under our new By-laws, no member of 

 a Premium Committee can receive an award. This explanation 

 will account for their names not appearing on the list of awards, 

 and save me from the charge of unfairness. Of Foreign Grapes, 

 the display was fully equal in some respects, and superior in oth- 

 ers, to the splendid show of last year ; quite equal in quality and 

 size, and larger in quantity. The culture of foreign grapes un- 

 der glass is exciting more attention than ever before, and every 

 year increases the number of growers. This is all right and prop- 

 er and a source of gratification, at least to me; but still our 

 chief dependence for general consumption must be on our own 

 native grapes, of which we now have several choice varieties, and 

 I have no doubt that, by hybridizing and high culture, we can in 

 time produce some quite equal to the best foreign grapes now 

 grown. 



Of Peaches, I have the pleasure of saying that we had a much 

 laro-er and finer display than has ever before been seen at any 

 Fair of the American Institute. This may be owing in part to 

 the number of late peaches which have recently been brought 

 into culture, which enables us to have this most luscious fruit in 

 perfection as late as the third week in October. These peaches 

 were not small, shriveled, and insipid specimens, but large, 

 plump, juicy, and luscious as one could desire. Of Jpples, Pears, 

 Quinces, and other fruits, the display was very creditable, though 

 not unusually large. I would here remark, that often large quan- 

 tities of superior fruit come in after the judges have been round, 

 and thus it sometimes happens that the best fruit does not get 

 the highest award, to which it would be entitled if it were sent 

 in at an earlier hour. In many cases this neglect is owing to 

 misapprehension, and is, therefore, the more to be regretted; 

 but in a few instances I have good reason to know that owners 

 of fruit have delayed sending in their specimens till they have 

 had an opportunity of seeing whether they could " beat every 

 body ;" they come in so late, however, tliat they generally get 

 what they deserve— just nothing. 



