THE SECKETARY'S TORTFOLIO. 327 



faction in knowing that your flowers are exerting an influence for good on all 

 who behold them, some of whom are snre to become imitators and successful 

 cultivators. It is for tliis reason that 1 desire to see larger exhibits ol' flowers 

 and phmts at tlie State and county fairs, so that these exhibitions may be pro- 

 ductive of good. One fine floral exhibition will do more for taste and morals 

 than a million horse races. 



To arrange cheaply for a floral display he says: Make a common rough 

 board table about three and a half feet wide and as long as necessary to accom- 

 modate all exhibitors. In front of this table nail a board four inches wide, 

 and at the back a board five inches in width, projecting ui)ward, and a similar 

 board at each end. The space thus formed fill with moist sand and make it 

 smooth on toj). The exhibitors place their flowers in this sand and it keeps 

 them as fresh as in water. The taller flowers or bouquets can be placed at the 

 back part of the table where the sand is deepest. For a dividing line between 

 different collections, take a piece of red tape or evergreen wreath. To keep the 

 crowd from pressing upon the table and injuring the flowers, place a guard 

 around and about eighteen inches from the table. This space furnishes a place 

 for the committees and for exhibitors, where they can stand and answer any 

 questions the people may ask, or give any information they may desire. If it 

 is desired to make the exhibition somewhat elegant in appearance, the sand 

 may be covered with moss and the table and guard ornamented with evergreens 

 or with wreaths. 



WHAT OTHERS SAY OF US. 



Mr. B. Gott, a delegate to our last annual meeting from the Ontario Fruit 

 Growers' Association, makes a few points in his report of the meeting that we 

 will insert here, even if it does flavor of " approbativeness :" 



The various topics brought up for discussion were introduced by the reading 

 of a well written paper on the subject by a person previously notified and 

 announced. The discussions were full and free and most friendly and agree- 

 able in tone. Indeed, I may say that the prevailing sentiment of the members 

 in all their discussions was one of extreme tenderness and candor. The pres- 

 ence of numerous ladies of apparently high standing in society added much 

 to its interest. The deep interest they seemed to take in all the proceedings 

 was somewhat surprising, and was kept up to the end. This was a very 

 encouraging feature of the meeting. In one case we were much pleased to 

 notice a good industrious lady who, notwithstanding her pressing home duties, 

 was evidently more than a match for. the difficulty, by bringing her knitting 

 with her ; and while her nimble fingers were faithfully plying the bright 

 needles, her attentive ear and watchful eye as carefully followed the theme 

 under discussion. Oh, Hood ! had you lived in this our day, how much would 

 you have modified the tone of your famous '•' Song of the Shirt." The final 

 session on the evening of the third day was very brilliant, being one of the 

 finest things I ever saw at a fruit meeting. I considered it was the fullest 

 exponent of the question " How to make horticultural gatherings interesting 

 to the public." One of Steck's grand concert pianos was brought on the dais, 

 and through the instrumentality of cultured fingers was made to do most 

 excellent service. The meeting was publicly announced to be open to all, and 

 the citizens came in great numbers and nearly filled the great hall to repletion. 

 The programme for the evening was short speeches on popular topics, of not 



