STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



67 



preserve for birds, and in that way to test the matter as to how much 

 good or harm they do. The expense would be but trifling, while the 

 results would be of great value; I would say also that I would banish the 

 shot-gun. I don't believe in saving some birds, and in shooting others 

 because they eat some of our fruit. 



Upon the suggestion of Mr. Minier the students of the University 

 were invited to examine the fruits on exhibition this afternoon. 



"Jhe report from Committee on Vegetable Gardening, being next in 

 order, was called for, and the Secretary stated that neither Mr. Kimball nor 

 Mr. Hay, members of the committee, was present, nor had sent in papers. 



Dr. II. ScHRCEDER, of Bloomington, another member of the com- 

 mittee, was present, and read a paper upon Asparagus.* 



REPORT UPON FRUITS ON EXHIBITION. 



The Committee on Fruits announced, through the chairman, Mr. 

 McWhorter, their readiness to report. 



Mr. McWhorter stated that the committee met with some embar- 

 rassment in the discharge of its duties from two sources: the slight dif- 

 ference in the merits of some lots where in competition for the same 

 premium, and also from some doubt in certain instances whether it were 

 best to award any premium at all on account of the fruit falling below 

 the high standard of merit which it is deemed should be maintained. 



We have, he said, done the best we could under the circumstances 

 The following is the report : 



Mr. President, — Your Committee on Fruits have examined the fruit 

 placed upon exhibition and in competition for the premiums offered by the 

 Executive Board of this Society, and have made the following awards: 



For Largest and Best Collection of Fruit, 



A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, first premium $25 00 



H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, second premium 15 00 



For Best Ten Varieties of Winter Apples for Northern Illinois, 



S. G. Minkler, Oswego, first premium 10 00 



For Best Ten Varieties of Winter Apples for Central Illinois, 



H. M. Dunlap, Champaign, first premium 10 00 



James T. Johnson, Warsaw, second premium 5 00 



For Best Collection of Seedling Apples, 



A. C. Hammond, Warsaw, first premium 10 00 



* This paper was not handed to the Secretary. If a copy is furnished in time for 

 publication in this volume it will be found among the "Miscellaneous Papers," farther 

 on. — Secretary. 



