The Plymouth Meeting. 
573 
rather in favour of the latter, though the local entries were by far 
the more numerous. Of cider in cask made last autumn but few 
entries were worthy of notice. "It is to be regretted that so 
many exhibits were in stinking casks. Lack of good manage- 
ment excluded what might have been really good, sound, and 
palatable cider from a chance of a prize/' The bottled cider 
made last autumn was — probably owing to the poor apple season 
of 1889 — none of it of first-class character. " No sample was 
thoroughly clean and free from dreg or apple pulp. Many ex- 
hibits had no vigour whatever — a desideratum in bottled cider."' 
No first prize was awarded. Bottled cider made in any year 
before 1889 comprised but few inferior exhibits, nearly all being 
good, sound, and reliable cider. The Judge points out that 
makers must grasp the fact that " doctored " cider or perry is 
becoming too well known, and that really good, palatable, and 
valuable cider can be made from the pure apple j uice alone. 
Jams and Preserved Fruits. 
With the exception of the entries of the Earl of Coventry from 
the Pershore Jam Factory and of Messrs. Saville & Sons, the 
jams were of poor quality, some being insufficiently boiled. The 
fruit jellies were so inferior that the Judge was unable to 
award a prize. There was a solitary entry of bottled fruits, 
which being of average quality was awarded a first prize. 
The entries in these classes were disappointingly few, but 
the Council have thought it best to continue the prizes for 
another year, in the hope that more competitors may be induced 
to come forward and to take an interest in jam making. 
Hives and Honey. 
After expressing gratification at the interest shown in agricul- 
ture by the " Royal " and other leading agricultural societies, the 
Judges remark that " not only has honey now received recognition 
as a farm product, but the importance of the work performed by 
bees as fertilisers is better understood and appreciated by both 
the fruit-grower and the farmer ; several extensive fruit growers 
being producers and exhibitors of honey. "Beyond this, the 
' industrious little labourer, the honey bee,' is no longer merely 
tolerated by the farmer, but is welcomed by the most intelligent 
members of the farming class for the substantial advantages 
resulting from its labours in fructifying the blossom of field and 
orchard, and it is hoped that the dairy farmer as well as the 
fruit grower will soon make honey production a regular item of 
bis trade." 
