Report of the Committee on Death of Charles Downing. 151 



happily disappointed our exhibitors. The first expression of the 

 exhibitors in the pomological division was one of doubt. It is now 

 forty days since the opening of this Hall and we are all surprised to 

 find fruits still in a perfect state of preservation. I have never 

 known fruits to keep so well at any other exhibition. 



Mr. Johnson, of Illinois — I have had large experience as an ex- 

 hibitor of fruits, but have never known them to keep better than 

 here. 



Mr. Lyon, of Michigan — The committee has only desired to give 

 the facts in reference to this structure. After more than thirty 

 years experience as an exhibitor of fruits I have found that a verti- 

 cal subdued light (not sunlight), is best for fruit. The shell floor of 

 the Hall has been objectionable, as it is so dusty. 



President Earle — The shell floor is all right when it is warm 

 enough to admit of being sprayed each day. 



Secretary Ragan, of Indiana — The whole object of this committee 

 and of this Society is to compliment the management of this great 

 Exposition in furnishing the best facilities for a horticultural ex- 

 hibition ever provided. While the hall must, of necessity, have 

 been constructed for the accommodation of both fruits and plants, we 

 are happily disappointed in its admirable adaptability to this double 

 purpose. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEATH OF CHARLES DOWNING. 



Mr. Williams, of New Jersey, from the committee to draft reso- 

 lutions on the death of Charles Downing, made the following report : 



Mr. President and Members of the American Horticultural Society : 



The telegraphic news of this morning informs us of the death, at his home in 

 Newburg, N. Y., yesterday, of that venerable and eminent horticulturist, Charles 

 Downing, who had recently more intimately connected himself wj^th us, by remit- 

 ting to our Secretary the membership fee for the ensuing year ; your committee, 

 therefore, submit the following: 



Whereas, By the inevitable fiat which at last calls all to rest, Charles Dow- 

 .ning, after a long, busy, and eminently useful life, has, by an inscrutable Provi- 

 dence, been removed from the scenes of his labors and afflictions ; therefore, 



Resolved, That we feel the irreparable loss of the acknowledged head of classical 

 pomology in America ; that the world can mourn no nobler, purer, or more effi- 

 cient benefactor of mankind ; that the deepest gratitude to his memory is due, 



