76 STATE TOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



FRUITS AND FLOWERS AT THE STATE FAIR. 



The State fair at Jackson for 1876 was great in all its departments, but ex- 

 celled especially in floriculture, horticulture and pomology. The hall for this 

 part of the exhibition was wholly unfit for its purpose. It was low, dark and 

 gloomy, seriously wanting in light to enable spectators to properly view the 

 articles on exhibition, and making it exceedingly tedious for viewing committees 

 to properly perform their duties. It is certainly very desirable that a new and 

 spacious hall should be erected for the accommodation of this class of articles. 



The two distinctive features of this exhibition were the show of plants and 

 the show of single varieties of fruits arranged under the supervision of Prof. 

 Cook. Xo such exhibition of plants was ever before made in the State as was 

 made by Mr. E. Cooley of Jackson. His plants were, many of them, rare and 

 costly, of exceedingly good growth, rich in colors, showing much skill in propa- 

 gation and cultivation. They were worthy of the Centennial. Mr. Cooley 

 refused all second premiums, declaring that he only wanted the first or none 

 at all. 



The exhibition of Mr. Ilibbard was very striking; and beautiful. Many of 

 his plants were in bloom, and hence attracted the attention of the people. This 

 young florist is improving in his cultivation and is making rapid advance in his 

 profession, for which he shows so much enthusiasm and devotion. The exhi- 

 bition from Kalamazoo by the Messrs. Van Hatten contained a number of 

 beautiful plants. Altogether this show of plants was a great feature of the 

 occasion. 



The collection of fruit arranged by Prof. Cook, who had Messrs. Garfield 

 and Eeynolds for assistants, was something new at our fairs. Each variety of 

 apples, etc., was collected in groups, so that Baldwins appeared arranged to- 

 gether and so did each entry of each variety. The display was unique, original 

 and instructive. Over each group was posted, in well printed placards, the 

 name of the fruit. This afforded an opportunity to study and compare varie- 

 ties which was duly appreciated by many observant people. 



These two features of this department, the display of plants and of single 

 varieties of fruit, were a great advance on any previous fair. Otherwise this 

 department was after the usual and old way. Large collections, county and 

 township, occupied much space. After a trial of many years we believe this 

 class of collections should all be swept by the board. They contain much that 

 is worthless, and much that is harmful. It is time to bring these exhibitions 

 down to strictly meritorious and desirable varieties. It is no reason that a col- 

 lection should obtain a premium because it contains 100 or 150 varieties. For 

 this very reason such a collection should be viewed with suspicion. If this grade 

 of collections should be continued they ought to be judged closely and by the 

 strictly valuable sorts in each collection. The committees in this department 

 were all efficient. AVe wish, especially, to notice the fiowcr committee, Mrs. 

 Dr. Tunirlill', Mrs. T. Western, Mrs. Morrell, and Mr. S. 0. Knapp. There 

 never was a better or more faithful committee. They took charge of hot- 

 house, green-house, and house plants, and after two days of hard labor, closed 

 up their work most satisfactorily. It is just such committees, possessing knowl- 

 edge, unprejudiced, linn and true, seeking only justice, that are wanted at our 

 ''airs. In the fruit departmenl there were a number of experts for judges, 

 among whom Mr. A. 0. Winchester, of St. Joseph, and Mr. .1. W. Humphrey, 



