14 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1868. 



REPORT ON PEARS. 



Hartley Williams, Chairman; J. Henry Hilt,, Henry Phelps, Ste- 

 phen S. Foster, John C. Newton, Emory Banister, James Draper, John 

 Green, of Worcester ; and John F. Johnson, of NortKborough. 



The Committee on Pears having attended to the duty assigned them, beg 

 leave to submit the following Report : 



It is a matter of deep regret to all interested in the culture of this most valu- 

 able fruit that our tables at the present exhibition indicate so great inferiority 

 in quality and diminution of quantity of the crop, as compared with the exhi- 

 bitions of former years. We miss from our list of contributors the names of 

 many of our most successful cultivators of the pear — those who on former oc- 

 casions have presented some of the very best specimens, and in largest variety. 

 The absence of their contributions does not arise from any lack of interest in 

 our exhibitions, or a diminished zeal in this particular branch of Horticulture, 

 but from the fact that their crop has proved a failure, and they have no fruit 

 worthy of a place upon your tables. 



It is, however, a cause of congratulation that, notwithstanding the season 

 has been so unfavorable, we yet have a very creditable display — that the con- 

 tributions are so large, and that there is so much of excellence worthy of com- 

 mendation. 



Your Committee are of opinion that it would be greatly for the interest of 

 the Society if the annual exhibition should be held later in the season, say the 

 first week in October. The greater portion of the fruit and vegetables here on 

 exhibition is unripe and immature. The exhibition is not only less attractive, 

 and far inferior to what it would be if held at the time indicated, but the loss 

 to those who make large contributions is too serious not to attract attention, 

 and call for a remedy. Those too, who have small gardens or orchards, are 

 unwilling to harvest their crop, or any considerable portion of it, in an nnripe 

 and nearly valueless state. Your Committee commend this subject as one 

 worthy the careful consideration of the Society. 



The Committee award the following premiums : 

 For the best twenty varieties of twelve specimens each, 1st class, Stephen 



S. Foster, the Society's Plate, valued at .$15 00 



For the second best, S. H. Colton, 10 00 



For the best fifteen varieties of twelve specimens each, 2d class, D. 



Waldo Lincoln, the Society's Plate, valued at 8 00 



For the second best, James Draper, 6 00 



