Annual Meeting — Superintendent's Report. 121 



agement to hope that when we learn the requisite conditions of 

 soil and location and the proper culture, a large portion of our 

 state that now depends on others for their fruit, wdl find that it 

 can be raised at home; for surely there are many places where the 

 like conditions can be found and like results secured. 



We were also greeted with the sight of a number of plates of a 

 fruit that in days past has formed a prominent part of our exhibi- 

 tions, but which, alas! has long since been shamefully deserted 

 and given up to the tender mercies of the curculio. 



There were also a few specimens of home grown peaches on the 

 tables, fair to look upon, but " sour grapes " to the fruit growers of 

 Wisconsin. 



The exhibition of plants and flowers was very creditable. Prom- 

 inent among the exhibitors of flowers, we would mention Mrs. 

 Boyce of Lodi, Mrs. Mallory of Waukesha, Mrs. Robt. Boyd of 

 Evansville, Miss Leitch, the Mrs. Marston, Heistand, Joy and Pit- 

 man of Madison, Mrs. Leitch of Dane and Miss Kate Peffer of 

 Pewaukee. 



The display made by Mr. Wm. Kitzrow, professional florist of 

 Milwaukee, is worthy of commendation. The collection was large 

 in number of varieties and choice in quality. It contributed much 

 to the attractiveness of the hall; without it the display of green- 

 house plants would have been meagre. 



The number of entries fails to giving a correct idea of the extent 

 of the exhibition, as many exhibits were duplicated and others were 

 far in excess of the number required, and many articles were 

 placed on exhibition which were not entered for competition. In 

 the professional department, the number of entries made was 1G7; 

 in the non-professional, 361. The amount of premiums paid to pro- 

 fessional cultivators, was $251; to non-professional, $317; total 

 $'568. 



Certain things that transpired in connection with the manage- 

 ment of the department make a few suggestions, pertaining to 

 needed regulations for the future, pertinent to this report. Many 

 of you are aware that on the second day of the exhibition it became 

 necessary to provide more table room to properly display the fruit. 

 As all the other space was occupied to the fullest capacity, it was 

 found necessary to close the side entrance to the hall. The result 

 proved that the interests of two or three hucksters engaged in. 



