No. 199.] 93 



of last year, yet the specimens, in many cases, were certainly finer. 

 It is worthy of notice that there were several seedling Apples of great 

 excellence ; one sample was thought to be superior to many old and 

 esteemed varieties. Of Pears, the display was not, perhaps, quite 

 equal to that of last year; yet two exceptions must be made, embrac- 

 ing the Vergouleuse and Duchesse d'Angoulerae, of which there was 

 a magnificent show. There was one sample of seedling Pears of 

 very fine quality ; and it is an interesting fact, worthy of being noted 

 here, that we had several specimens from the original Seckel Pear, 

 which is still standing and in tolerable health. 



The display of Peaches, Plums, and Nectarines was exceedingly 

 fine ; by far the best we have ever had. It is worthy of remark, 

 that the best Peaches and Nectarmes were seedUngs ; they were of 

 the first quality, being very large and exquisitely flavored. Never 

 before have we had so much seedling fruit of decided merit. Of 

 Quinces the show was good, but not better than has been usual on 

 former occasions. 



The display of Grapes was exceedingly grand ; something to be 

 noted and remembered. The show of Foreign Grapes was magnifi 

 cent ; I doubt whether a finer has ever been seen. The number of 

 ^'a^ieties was very large, and the various samples were of great ex- 

 cellence. The display of Native Grapes was also large, and of the 

 very first quality. I venture to say that no Isabella or Catawba 

 Grapes ever surpassed them ; one sample of Isabellas was much the 

 finest I have ever seen, in regard to both quality and size. 



I must not omit to mention, in this connection, a case of Wax 

 Fruitj most beautifully and truthfully executed. ThcvSe wax speci- 

 mens were so like the real fruit that many persons were completely 

 deceived in regard to their true nature ; and, indeed, when some of 

 the wax specimens were placed by the side of the natural fruit rep- 

 resented, it required nice discrimination, even in experienced per- 

 sons, to distinguish between the wax and the natural fruit. There 

 can be but one opinion in regard to the great utiUty of these imita- 

 tions of fruit, and they should be duly encouraged. 



