REPORT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON VEGETABLES,

FOR THE YEAR 1895.

By CHARLES N. BRACKETT, CHAIRMAN.

The exhibitions of vegetables during the past year, taking the season as a whole, have been of unusual excellence. For beauty, evenness, and smoothness of growth, it was the generally expressed opinion that the specimens shown have rarely if ever been excelled at any of our former exhibitions.

Competition for the prizes has been more active and close than in any former year within the memory of the present Committee. There has also been a large increase in the number of contributors. On nearly every Saturday from January to November, whether it has been prize day or not, choice specimens of vegetables either from the forcing house or open ground have been on exhibition, thereby adding to the interest in our weekly shows.

The constant and increasing interest manifested by contributors and the public generally, in this department of our exhibitions, has been duly appreciated by your Committee, and should be highly gratifying to the Society at large.

The opening Prize Exhibition of the year was that for Fored Vegetables, January 12, at which time there were shown specimen of Rhubarb, Radishes, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Parsley and Tomatoes, all of which were of superior quality and growth. From this time to the Annual Exhibition our weekly shows have been such as not only to attract and gratify visitors, but also to

reflect credit upon contributors and the Society.

From year

to year marks of improvement are visible, and give evidence of a constantly growing and continued progress on the part of the cultivator.

On May 4, the first Asparagus of the season was shown by Varnum Frost, who secured the first prize. Fine specimens were also exhibited on the following prize day by P. G. Hanson and Hon. George Heywood, who were awarded prizes in the order named.

Peas were shown for the first time June 15, F. C. Goddard being the exhibitor. From this date on through the season peas were shown in liberal quantity and variety. The leading kinds were American Wonder, Advancer, Stratagem, Heroine, and Champion. A new and very handsome pea belonging to the same class as the Heroine and Stratagem was shown by Samuel J. Trepess, and was much admired. It was called Juno.

With many growers the Heroine is taking the place of the Stratagem on account of the difficulty of procuring pure seed of that variety, which of late appears to be badly mixed and unreliable. It is to be regretted that so fine a pea should be allowed to run out for want of care in the selection and growing of stock seed. Tomatoes of outdoor culture were shown for the first time July 13, Joshua C. Stone being awarded the first prize for the Boston Market. Fine specimens of May's Favorite and Paragon were shown on the same date.

The cultivation and development of the different varieties of the Tomato may be said to have approached, if not to have reached, perfection. In form, quality, or size there appears to be little to be desired. If any further improvement is possible it would seem to be in the way of earliness, but we doubt whether much more can be gained in that direction. The experience of the past ten or more years shows that we have about reached the limit.

A new feature, and one in which the visiting public appears to be deeply interested at the present time, has been the introduction at our weekly shows of large collections of our Native Mushrooms, both edible and noxious. The larger portion of the Mushroom family are said to be wholesome and nutritious, but because of the prevailing ignorance in regard to them, deaths from eating those which are poisonous are of not infrequent occurrence, so that great care and experience are requisite to discriminate those

4

which can be eaten with safety. It is useless to tell an ignorant person how to distinguish a poisonous from a wholesome mushroom. This knowledge can be safely gained only by learning from those who know. Until such knowledge is acquired we can only advise the masses to eat nothing but the one which everybody is supposed to have learned to be the good Mushroom, (Agaricus campestris) and the only one which is generally grown artificially.

The largest exhibition of Native Mushrooms was made at the weekly show, July 27. The contributors were Hollis Webster, Annie M. Livsey of Crompton, R. I., Joseph H. Woodford, and William C. Bates. The collection of Mr. Webster was a very extensive one, comprising a large number of named specimens both edible and noxious. On August 10, Charles E. Richardson showed a good collection, and Ellen N. Rumrill another October 19.

In view of the interest manifested both by members of the Society and visitors, in acquiring a better knowledge of our Native Mushrooms, it has been thought advisable to offer prizes the coming year for the best collection of named Edible Native Mushrooms. For further information those interested are referred to the Schedule of Prizes for 1896.

At the Annual Exhibition were to be seen a fine collection of vegetables of all the best varieties, giving proof of the highest cultivation, and displayed in tempting profusion.

The show of Potatoes at this time was the largest and best the Society has ever made. There were one hundred and six dishes in all and not a really poor one among the lot. The first prize for the best four varieties was awarded to C. H. Thomas of New Hampshire. His specimens were splendidly grown and much admired.

The show of Tomatoes at this exhibition was equally fine and full,- one of the best ever made so late in the season. The whole number of dishes was eighty-seven. Hon. Aaron Low was the largest contributor, showing some twenty varieties. The first prize for the best three varieties was awarded to Varnum Frost.

At this exhibition we were indebted to William J. Martin, gardener to Nathaniel T. Kidder, for a large collection comprising upwards of sixty varieties of well-grown vegetables, tastefully arranged and forming an interesting feature of the show.

The show of Cauliflowers, Celery, and Squashes was also unusually fine, the exhibits of Cauliflowers by A. M. Knowlton, William H. Teele, and B. J. Souza, and of Celery by Warren Heustis & Son and Arthur F. Coolidge being particularly worthy

of mention.

During the past exhibition season more of the prizes offered in the Schedule have been competed for and taken than in any previous year, the full amount appropriated for Vegetables having been awarded.

The attention of contributors is called to changes and alterations in the Schedule of Prizes for the coming year.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

For the Committee,

C. N. BRACKETT,
Chairman.

MUSHROOMS. Twenty-four specimens, George M. Anderson

TOMATOES. Twelve specimens, Winter Brothers, Essex

Second, W. N. Craig, Chemin

Third, Winter Brothers, President Cleveland

Gratuities:

Warren Heustis & Son, Celery

3.00

2.00

1.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

3 CO

3.00

2.00

1.00

2.00

1 00

100

JANUARY 19.

Gratuity:

Norris Comley, Rhubarb.

1.00

FEBRUARY 2.

RADISHES. Four bunches of any variety, Joshua C. Stone

3 00

Third, W. N. Craig

1 00

CUCUMBERS.- Pair of any variety, John L. Gardner

3.00

LETTUCE. Four heads of Tennisball, the Second prize to Joshua C.