Horticultural Exhibitions — Hoic to Conduct Them. 167 



In conclusion, your committee recommend that in future exhibitions of this So- 

 ciety the growers of new fruits produce all the evidence obtainable as to the pedi- 

 gree of the varieties they .show, to the end that we may add to our knowledge as 

 to the laws that govern variations and improvements in pomology through seed- 

 ling production. 



Upon motion of Mr. Pearce, of Ohio, complimentary mention of some Niagara 

 grapes on exhibition, which had been overlooked by the Committee on Exhibits, 

 was added to the report. 



The report was adopted. 



Maj. Z. S. Ragan, of Missouri, was introduced, and read his paper, 

 as follows : 



HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS— HOW TO CONDUCT THEM. 



BY Z. S. RAGAN, OF MISSOURI. 



Upon the receipt of a notice from the Secretary of this Society a short 

 time ago, stating that I had been drafted into the service to tell "how to con- 

 duct exhibitions," my first impression was that it was a work of supereroga- 

 tion, and that I ought to decline, from the fact that if I were to make an 

 attempt before this great convention of practical horticulturists, that I might 

 be placed in a similar dilemma with the man who, while standing out on a 

 limb, made the fatal mistake of cutting the limb off between himself and the 

 tree. Result, a sudden fall. Not a very enviable situation for one to be in 

 on such an occasion as this. Yet, horticuUurally speaking, when I call to 

 mind that nearly half a century ago it was my fortime to join in horticul- 

 tural meetings with such men as Dr. Warder, Henry Ward Beecher, Reuben 

 Ragan Joshua Lindley, James Sigerson, Aaron Aldridge and other pioneer 

 horticulturists, of whom I received my early lessons in the science, and hav- 

 ing also been a veteran in armj' life, it would seem like outright cowardice 

 to shrink from duty; to express it in the mildest terms, insubordination. 



Inasmuch as the able Committee on Exhibitions, Maj. Nowlin, of Arkan- 

 sas, T. T. Lyon, President State Horticultural Society, Michigan, and J. S. 

 Beatty, President State Horticultural Society, Kentucky, will doubtless come 

 to my support, and add whatever may be wanting in my attempt to advance 

 suggestions as to best rules to govern exhibitions. Claiming this aid and 

 your indulgence, I assume the responsible task imjDosed upon me. 



It will not be expected of me at this time to treat of the respective duties 

 of the corps of officials that it may require to conduct a fair, nor of their 

 several duties. This will be the work of a provisional committee, etc. Neither 

 will it be expected of me to enumerate the duties of thosfe controlling the 

 various classifications of departments, presuming that under superior direc- 

 tion these arrangements have been made, and by the Secretary or otherwise 

 the books have been prepared with proper headings, classification, etc. To 



