SOCIETY OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS. 379 



appeared in all the leading periodicals, all of which will be addi- 

 tional strokes from the steam engine impelling the ball of 

 progressive civilization; but, no matter how much has been 

 written about it, or even if all has been put in print, the half 

 will never be known to the same person, though he may have 

 attended and studied article after article from beginning to end. 



Respecting the horticultural display alone, of which, if all 

 there is to be told, like of many other things that were there, 

 was in details, it would fill volumes. Only a very few of the 

 most important will be briefly mentioned. 



Among the first, was the holding of a grand horticultural 

 exhibit every two weeks, which lasted from three to six days, 

 according to the length of time the products would keep fresh, 

 and it took many expert horticulturists the remainder of the 

 time to make preparations for the next one. Here could be seen 

 in their due seasons the choicest vegetables, fruits and flowers, 

 not alone of France and her colonies, but also what could be 

 gathered from all over the world. 



Some of these displays were entirely, or partly, devoted to one 

 or a few special classes of flowers or fruits. At several, there 

 were profusions of orchids, and other very choice flowers, perhaps 

 the greatest display of the kind ever held. At another, beginning 

 September 5th, solely devoted to grapes, was noticed among the 

 numerous fine specimens a few bunches of white, black and red 

 grapes, which must have weighed several pounds each, and the 

 berries, of which were oval, measured over an inch at their 

 longest diameter. By much care exercised in keeping the bloom 

 on the fruit, its natural beauty was preserved. 



Of the choice things from our country which outrivaled any 

 other fruit of its kind seen there, was the Kelsey's Japan plum. 

 The few specimens resembled very much, in shape, a peach, 

 about two or two and one-half inches in diameter, with the 

 cheek exposed to the sun of a clear, rosy hue, gradually chang- 

 ing to a clear yellow on the other. 



So much was there at these displays that no one but an expert, 

 devoting all his time for the few days they lasted, could have 

 done them justice. 



The main horticultural department was situated on and 

 occupied nearly all of the beautiful site of the Trocaderc* 

 Grounds, of about thirty acres in area. It slopes to the east, 

 and faces on the other side of the river Seine. The Champ de 

 Mars are the grounds on which was the main part of the Expo- 

 sition. Aside from containing the pavillions, in which the 

 semi-monthly displays were held, may be mentioned the 

 exhibits of growing fruit trees exposed by the nursery-men, the 

 various modes of grafting, training and rearing trees; green 

 houses containing plants and fruits which could not be grown in 

 the open air climate of France; about all the tools and imple- 



