86 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



As \vc gazed and wandered from plant to plant our admiration increased, and 

 we knew not when or how to determine the superior merit of one over the other 

 when deemed to demand so much credit, thus we feel compelled to give in this 

 report a somewhat extensive list of this choice collection. 



First of the palms were the Areca lutcsccns, a native of the Mascarene 

 Islands, a graceful palm, considered to be one of the best in the .State, and 

 valued at £100;- Areca verschaffeltii, very choice and valued at 875 ; Cocus 

 nucifera, the Cocoanut of commerce, very choice and difficult to cultivate, sup- 

 posed to be the only one in the State : this plant is worth *<>(), from the Island 

 of Ceylon. Latania borbonica, a native of the East Indies, a very fine speci- 

 men, one of the best, value £160. Cycas circinalis, also a native of the East 

 Indies, is an elegant palm, has probably no superior in this country, a collection 

 seems incomplete without it, value 8175. Cycas revoluta, another line palm, 

 although not new yet scarce ; this plant, worth 850, is a native of China and 

 Japan. 



Besides these, Mr. Cooley exhibited a variety of smaller choice palms too 

 numerous to mention, worth from 812 to 820, and it was with difficulty the 

 committee could decide among so many valuable specimens. 



AVe found also in this collection, a beautiful variety of the Yucca aloifolia 

 variegata, from Mexico, worth 8100. 



Among Ferns, the Alsophila australis, from Australia and Xew Zealand, a 

 noble plant and valued at 8150. Adiantum farleyense, a choice variety and 

 has few superiors; Adiantum peruvianum ; Adiantum colpodus; Adiantum 

 cuneatum ; Gleichenia dicarpa, Dicksonia antarctica. All very choice. 



Other plants the committee felt compelled to notice in this collection, among 

 them the Ficus Parceli, Ficus macrocarpa, Ficus niacrophylla, Dracama indi- 

 visa, Dracama australis, Dracama canifolia, Dracama nigricans, Dracama 

 guilfoylei, Maranta sanguinea, Maranta princeps, Maranta Vanden Heckei, 

 Maranta regalis, Maranta warscewicxii, Maranta zebrina, Cyanophyllum, mag- 

 nilicum, Anthurium magnificum, Anthurium regale, Anthurium Scherzerianum, 

 Beaucarnea recurvata, and Beaucarnea glauca, Musa sapientum, Nepenthes se- 

 denii (East India pitcher plant), Monsteria delicosa, Phormium tenax, Phor- 

 mium tenax variegata. This comprised the choicest of this collection. 



Leaving the Cooley collection, we passed on to where we found the Van 

 Hattan Brothers, of Kalamazoo, with their specimens brightening another 

 portion of the hall, adding another attractive feature to the State Fair. In the 

 area about the fountain these plants were clustered, and wo found the bright 

 Coleus there; the Ferns, with their feathery spray, the hardy looking Aloe, the 

 Begonias in numberless variety, the Ficus, Maranta, Dracama, Yucca, Cypress, 

 Oaladiums, Palms, and others ; healthy, well grown and beautiful plants. A 

 collection of hothouse and stove plants, particularly line, which did great credit 

 to the exhibitors. 



Had this collection not been placed in competition with others so superior, 

 the committee would have felt compelled to have given ;i much greater share of 

 first premiums. 



These florists will lie heard from again if we are not mistaken, and we hope a 

 better opportunity and place will be provided for them, where they can display 

 their collection more to their satisfaction and to better advantage. 



Our next visit was to Mr. Wm. Ilibbard, of Jackson, a young florist and 

 gardener, who deserves a more extended notice at our hands for his industry, 

 perseverance, patience in overcoming difficulties, and great interest in his work. 



