82 [Assembly 



itself not being planted. It has long been known that potatoes 

 would grow from sprouts, and cuttings, but it remains' to be seen, 

 whether it can be done profitably on a large scale. Mr, Forbush, 

 I understand, planted about an acre in this way on a reclaimed 

 meadow, and estimated the crop at from 250 to 300 bushels the 

 acre. It is to be^ hoped that he will publisli the results of this 

 interesting experiment. 



The fruit exhibited was abundant, and generally of fine quali- 

 ty. The display of apples embraced many superior specimens 

 of choice varieties, first among wliich were the Vaudeveer and 

 Newtown pippin, finer samples of which it would be difiicult 

 indeed to procure. A catalogue cannot be attempted here; suf- 

 fice it to say, that the display embraced almost every thing in 

 season, from a mammoth pippin, down to the Siberian crab. The 

 display of pears was also very fine. Duchesse d'Angouleme, 

 White Doyenne, Louise Bonne de Jersey, Seckel, Beurre Diel, 

 &c., were shown in great perfection. The number of persons 

 who came in to make catalogues of pears, was a pleasing evi- 

 dence that this luscious fruit is getting to be more generally 

 known and esteemed. Of other fruits, there were samples of re- 

 markably fine quinces, plums, cranberries, &c. A sample of 

 tomato figs may be mentioned here, as they were deemed by the 

 judges worthy of special notice. They were exhibited by Mr. 

 Porter, of Middletown Point, who intends, I learn, to make a 

 large quantity for market. They have a pleasant, agreeable taste, 

 and will probably meet with a ready sale. 



Foreign grapes fell off to a single eotry ; but this was made up 

 in some measure by a remarkably large and fine show of natives, 

 embracing a greater number of superior samples than I have ever 

 seen together before. The season had been unusually favorable 

 in most localities, and the grapes were admirably matured. 

 Among other natives was the Charter Oak, in regard to which I 

 will add a few words. My opinion of this grape has been fre- 

 quently asked, and I will now put it upon record. This I do 

 for several reasons, foremost among which is this, that my posi- 

 tion imposes it upon me as a duty to the horticultural community. 

 I have seen this grape exhibited several times under different 

 names, and in its wild state, ( Vitis labrusca^ it is associated with 



