In the Santa Clara. 267 



gether without injuring the sense. The report of the proceedings of our 

 meetings is full of interest. Scarcely a single paper or speech was delivered 

 at these meetings that was not in some sense spoken by one who was an 

 authority on the topic presented. The very best horticulturists of the United 

 States, and, indeed, of the whole continent, were present to participate in 

 the discussions and to add, from the rich stores of their experience and learn- 

 ing, to the value of whatever was said or suggested. 



A word, however, should be added in this connection relative to the great 

 citrus fair which had been provided in the city as one of the leading induce- 

 ments to the Society for holding its sessions at this place. Citrus fair means 

 an exposition, first of all, of the six species of fruits constituting the genus 

 ■aurantiacea. These are, first of all, the orange ; second in importance of the 

 group, the lemon ; then the lime ; then the citron and the shaddock ; lastly, the 

 pumalo, or so-called grape-fruit. Each of these has its respective value, but 

 the first three are the important species. These are produced in great 

 abundance and perfection in many parts of Southern and Central California. 

 The fine hall where the fair was held was filled to its capacity with one of the 

 richest imaginable displays of the fruits here named, and of other species bet- 

 ter known to the people east of the mountains. It was evident on entering the 

 hall that the genius of woman was dominant in the arrangement of the fruits 

 and flowers. Not satisfied with merely heaping these around or setting the 

 floral contributions in miscellaneous disorder, the ladies of San Jos^ had 

 arranged everything after the manner of art. On some tables the oranges 

 were heaped up after the style of cannon balls in an arsenal yard. Some, 

 times they were so arranged as to make a cottage or grotto. Sometimes 

 fhey were made into festoons, or intertwined with evergreen. So of the dis- 

 play of lemons and limes, and so, likewise, of all the other myriad fruits 

 which the splendid fertility of the soil and the equable climate had ripened 

 for the occasion. 



The citrus fair was primarily the exhibit of the fruit and vegetable prod- 

 ucts of the Santa Clara valley. Other regions, however, had sent in their 

 contributions. This is especially true of Northern California and Oregon. 

 That part of the display which had been sent to the exposition from the 

 counties of Sutter and Butte was among the most attractive of the various 

 exhibits. 



The fecundity of the soil of this country about San Jose is as well illus- 

 trated in the character of its vegetable products as in its frui<.s and flowers. 

 It is doubtful whether the specimens of vegetable growth displayed in this 

 horticultural hall could be surpassed for magnitude and perfection of devel- 

 opment in any garden or field of the world. It is not my purpose to enter 

 into details, but a reference to one single species of vegetable may suffice. 

 Take the beet. Have you an idea, reader, of the size and appearance of 

 one of the beete of Santa Clara ? Here they stand, with the bottom roots 

 jesting on the floor, against the side of this pyramid of garden products. It 

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