In common with the whole country, the State of Massachusetts has severely suffered from the long continued drouth that has prevailed during the summer, materially affecting both the quantity and the quality of the fruit crop. In consequence, the Fruit Committee for this State have not been able to perform their duty in a manner at all satisfactory to themselves; for, while a few fruits may have withstood the trial, or even improved under it, a large majority - and among them many of our new varieties - are more or less injured in size or flavor.

The Committee, however, have availed themselves of all accessible facilities to prepare a report that may add -though it be but little - to the common stock of pomological knowledge; and they feel bound to acknowledge their especial obligations to the President of this Society (Col. Wilder) for the information derived from the examination of the unequaled collection of Pears contained in his gardens, and for the many detailed results of his experience, which he generously placed at the disposal of the Committee. From the Chairman of the General Fruit Committee, we are indebted for constant assistance and advice, which has materially aided our deliberations.

The Committee would call the attention of the Society to the following fruits:

Pears

Rostiezer, Tyson, Brandy wine - always good. Until we can get as good a summer Pear as these, no other ought to be recommended for general cultivation.

Beurre d'Anjou - sustains its previous good reputation. On the Pear stock it proves a thrifty, hardy variety. We pronounce it best.

Buffum - a most valuable old sort, from its vigorous growth and prolific character; if the fruit is gathered early, nearly first rate - very good.

Alplia - hardy, and a great bearer. Col. Wilder pronounces it to be among the most desirable. Very good.

Howell and Dallas - these Pears are uniformly fair and handsome, and of excellent quality. Very good.

Nouveau Poiteau - a remarkable tree for vigor and beauty of growth. Fruit large, but rather too buttery. This variety possesses all the characteristics of a perfect tree, and perfect fruit, (except the fault alluded to,) which, it is hoped, may be overcome by early gathering and proper ripening.

* From the Proceedings of the Third Session of the American Pomological Society.

Zephirine Gregoire, Pie IX., Alexandre Lambre, General Dutilleul and Comte de Flanders - promise well as autumn Pears.

Fondante De Noel

A seedling of Passe Colmar, ripening earlier than the latter, and of similar flavor, proves to be an excellent late autumn sort.

Ghrosse Calebasse of Langlier - proves identical with Beurre Van Marum, (of the Belgians!) Triomphe de Hasselt, Triomphe de Nord, and Boutelle. A fruit of monstrous size, but poor quality; rots badly.

Charles Van Hooghten - large, prolific, possessing good characteristics.

Beurre Sterkman - maintains its excellent character.

Fondante de Malines - improves, and will probably be a fine sort for general cultivation.

Beurre Super Fin

Col. Wilder says of this variety: "Very handsome, if not the best imported for years; it will take a high rank".

Theodore Van Mons - hardy, profuse bearer, persistent foliage. Very good.

Jalouise de Fontenay Vendee - pretty good.

St. Michael Archange - tree remarkable for vigor and hardiness, and beautiful in form.

Soldat Laboreur - a splendid tree, fruit large, not fully proved.

Sterling - a fine grower, good early sort.

Lawrence - a general favorite.

Kinsessing - recommended for further trial.

Grand Soleil - is a moderate grower, but a great bearer; its quality is good; fruit fair; for orchard cultivation, a desirable variety. Promises well.

Fie Spoelberg - seems most successful in a dry season.

Walker - very good.

Epine Dumas

"This Pear," Mr. Walker says, "improves in my estimation".

Ananas Or Henry IV

This Pear is pronounced by many to be nearly equal to the Seckel in quality.

Columbia - not uniformly good.

Abbott - of this handsome Pear we have not had enough experience.

Duchesse d'Orleans - there are various opinions as to its merits. By some it is considered very good.

Miss d'Heyst - has proved poor.

Cherries

Of Dr. Kirtland's Cherries, of which several kinds have been fruited by Col. Wilder, Governor Wood, Kirtland's Mary, and Black Hawk, have proved very fine; and most of the sorts seem hardy here.

Walsh's Seedlings - No.'s 1 and 2 have proved uniformly good.

Hovey Cherry - has proved uniformly good.

Coe's Transparent - is a fruit of great beauty and excellence.

A Cherry raised by Messrs. Hyde, of Newton, called Pierce's Late, as a very late Cherry, promises to be valuable.

Raspberries

Of the several new varieties raised by Dr. Brinckle', which promise to be valuable acquisitions, we may name the Orange, French, and Walker.

Strawberries

Walker's Seedling - (staniinate) is a great acquisition; high flavored; bears well. Jenny Lind Seedling - in the hands of the originator, (Mr. Fat,) has proved good, as a very early variety. Eben Wight, Chairman.