, 620 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



rior cliavactcr, which absolutely suiTound this city, arc passed by daily, 

 unnoticed and unknown. 



The subject of the evening was then considered. 



Early Fruits. 



Mr. "Wra. S. Carpenter said he was passionately fond of fruit culture, 

 and took a deep interest in the improvement of flowers. We see every 

 season what great improvements have been made in flowers all over the 

 country b}'- the different horticulturists, and the improvements of different 

 kinds of fruit that were originally worthless. This would go to show 

 that thej' were left by the Creator for man to cultivate and improve. Some 

 persons, who see the bouquets on the tables, may think that the flowers 

 were made so originally by nature, but they would scarcely be recognized 

 as belonging to the original. It was so with the wild crab apple and 

 native strawberry. These fruits were made what they are by cultivation 

 and by crossing. An advantage we have over former times is, that we 

 are not now confined to fruits that grow in our neighborhood. Who is 

 there now that is satisfied with tasting fruit raised in his own country? 

 We have before us flowers, most of them came from Europe; some from 

 Japan and China. This latter country has contributed largely in flowers, 

 but little in fruit. Perhaps France has done more for the cause of horti- 

 culture than any other country. He had within the last few years endea- 

 vored to collect the fruits of that countr}^ and now had in his possession 

 most of the fruits that are approved there, and the possession of which is 

 ample compensation for all his labor in collecting them. He felt a pleasure 

 in working among the trees tliat are j'^early producing their luscious fruits, 

 not only for the good they afforded him, but for the pleasure he derived in 

 distributing them among others. 



Mr. P. B. Mead then made some remarks on the strawberry. There is a 

 class of cultivators who look upon its culture entirely with reference to 

 profit, while with the amateur it is a matter of pure taste. An amateur 

 who grows strawberries only for his own table, wants a tender, juicy, 

 high-flavored berry; and if size and beauty are added, so much the better. 

 For his own part, he would prefer a moderate crop of Burr's New Pine, to 

 bushels of Wilson's Albany. He was becoming rather nice in his taste, 

 and would choose a little that is good to a great deal that is bad. xVmateurs 

 would select high-flavored berries, and turn over the Wilson to those who 

 grow for the market. Now is it good policy for horticulturists to pander 

 to uneducated tastes, or should they not rather aim at a higher standard? 

 One of the objects of a horticultural society, like this, is to establish a 

 standard of taste. The public buy fruit with the familiar names without 

 much regard to quality, and are often imposed upon 



The Bartlett is a good pear, and people know it to be so; but the unedu- 

 cated are often imposed upon by persons selling inferior pears under the 

 name of Bartlett. The people need information such as they can only 

 obtain by attending horticultural meetings and fruit shows. Dealers in 

 fruit constantly deceive, instead of instructing the people. The summer 

 Bon Chretien, an inferior pear, is often sold in this city under the name of 

 Bartlett. People need to be educated by the eye and taste. He gave half 



