182 TEANSACTIONS OF THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



dent, as " Master Coroner," proceeded to empanel a jury, consisting 

 of all present, to hold an inquest on the contents of the dinner 

 baskets. After about half an hour's spirited discussion, the unani- 

 mous conclusion arrived at was, that they had passed away by the 

 most rapid stages of consumption. 



A short recess was then taken, after which business was again 

 resumed, and the Awarding Committee made their report as follows : 



REPORT OF FRUIT COMMITTEE. 



Mr President: Your committee to whom was referred the col- 

 lection of small fruits for examination and award of premiums, 

 respectfully report that they have performed that duty, and submit 

 the following as the result : It was intended that the time of this 

 meeting should have been set when the best display of strawberries 

 could be had. but the unexpected cool weather delayed ripening so 

 much that many of our choice varieties could not be shown at their 

 best. We award : 



For Best Collection of Strawberries — First premium, E. A. 

 Riehl, with fifteen varieties; second premium, Wm. Jackson with 

 nine varieties. Both these members could have shown many more 

 varieties had the meeting been held a few days later. 



For Best Quart, Quality and Size Considered — First premium : 

 Golden Defiance, William Hyndman. Second premium : Monmouth, 

 .J. S. Browne. 



For Best Quart for Market — First premium : Capt. Jack, J. S. 

 Browne. Second premium : Minor, John Riggs. 



Best Family Berry — First premium : Downing, James Davis. 

 Second premium : Capt. Jack, P. E. Vanderburg. 



For Best New Strawberry — Bubach : first premium, William 

 Jackson : second premium, J. S. Browne. It is strong commendation 

 to this berry that it should be entitled to both premiums in the 

 hands of two growers, and in very different locations. The other 

 new berries were the Monmouth, Warfield and Jewell. The former 

 took a premium in another class, and could not compete in this by 

 our rules. 



For Best Seedling Strawberry, Good Enough to be Recommended 

 for Cultivation — First premium, James Davis. This plant was 

 shown in growing condition, and presented a fine appearance, strong 

 in leaf and stalk ; the berries are dark red, firm, and will carry well. 

 Quality good. 



