State Agricultural Society. 311 



Orleans Hill Vinicuitural Association, by their President and Secre- 

 tary, lor wines grown and manufactured by them. 



J. P. Nickeson, Lincoln, Placer County, for fifty distinct samples of 

 wine, and five of brandy, to which five first premiums were awarded. 



Edward Muller, Nevada City, for the most meritorious exhibition of 

 processes of silk cultivation and manufacture. 



SIXTH DEPARTMENT. 



In this department there were only two competitors, viz: 



E. W. Garrett, for best exhibit of seedling fruits. 



J. P. Nickcson, of Lincoln, Placer County, for lai'gest collection and 

 greatest variety of named fruits raised by him, viz: one hundred and 

 twelve varieties apples; one hundred and forty varieties grapes; forty- 

 five varieties pears; seven varieties peaches; eight varieties figs; one 

 each of prunes, English walnuts, apples, and pomegranates." 



To this exhibition the first premium was awarded. 



SEVENTH DEPARTMENT. 



In the seventh department there were four competitors, viz: 



D. H. Woods, of Sacramento, for oil paintings from nature. 



Mrs. W. E. Brown, of Sacramento, for exhibition of landscapes, heads, 

 foliage, fruits, etc., executed by herself. 



Oscar Kattschmidt, for oil paintings, India ink drawings, and water 

 color pictures. 



J. C. Devine, of Sacramento, for sculpture and other work in marble. 



The committee also recommended a gold medal to the Wood Preserv- 

 ing Company, of San Francisco, believing that to increase the durability 

 of timber is equivalent to an increase of supply, and is consequently a 

 question of public economy. The production and preservation of timber 

 is, in the opinion of the committee, a matter of vital importance to the 

 State. 



The committee experienced much embarrassment from the imperfect 

 classification of the different exhibits. Thus in the same category were 

 the exhibits of wines, brandies, and silk culture. The former purely 

 manufactured articles, and the latter agricultural products, the com- 

 mittee being placed in the position to decide between the relative merits 

 of agricultural and manufacturing skill, where in point of fact no rela- 

 tion exists. In such cases, where the exhibits were equally meritorious 

 of their kind, the committee gave the award to the industry which in 

 their opinion most needed encouragement. The committee would, there- 

 fore, most earnestly recommend that each of the great and leading 

 industries of production and manufacture be so classified in future that 

 only those of each kind shall come in competition. 



As the objects of agriculture (including the minor culture of fruits, 

 etc.), are to increase the quantity and improve the quality of plants and 

 animals useful to man at the least cost and in the shortest time without 

 permanent deterioration of the soil, your committee would further recom- 

 mend that all exhibitors competing for premiums be required not only 

 to give a detailed written statement of the mode of production but the 

 cost of the same. In this way there would be collected at each Annual 

 Fair a large amount of practical information of incalculable benefit to 

 the agricultural and manufacturing interest of the State. Ever so merit- 



