REPORT 



Of the committee on Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables^ and Agricultural 



and Dairy Productions. 



In presenting- this report of the eighteenth annual fair of the Ame- 

 rican Institute, your chairman, in behalf of the agricultural board, 

 has just cause to congratulate his fellow-citizens on the steady ad- 

 vancement of American skill in the cultivation of the soil. The dis- 

 play of flowers, fruits and vegetables, agricultural and dairy produc- 

 tions, has been such as to more than realize the warmest anticipa- 

 tions of the friends of this national association. Indeed, to every 

 mind imbued with the spirit of patriotism, the contemplation of what 

 HAS BEEN DONE by this Institute for the interests of horticulture, es- 

 pecially within the last five years, must prompt the most ardent and 

 sincere wishes for a continuance of its prosperit}^ As a proof of 

 the unwearied zeal of its members in promoting the great and impor- 

 tant objects designed by its originators, the following enumeration of 

 premiums is respectfully submitted by your chairman : 



Silver cups, 130 



Gold medals, 30 



Silver medals, 150 



Agricultural and horticultural books, 450 



Diplomas, 250 



The value of these testimonials of merit, according to the lowest 

 estimate, exceeds the sum of three thousand dollars. In addition to 

 the foregoing, seven thousand dollars have been expended in the re- 

 quisite arrangements for an impartial and effective display of the va- 

 rious productions forwarded by contributors. Does not this afford 

 convincing evidence of the liberal encouragement given by the Insti- 

 tute to the claims of agriculture and horticulture 1 Nor is this 

 ALL. In the emphatic language of Professor Mapes, " Its services 

 to the agriculturists are freely admitted from Maine to Georgia." 

 From the force of its example, agricultural and horticultural associa- 

 tions have been established in the counties of nearly every State in 

 the Union, and men have been induced to regard planting and sow- 

 ing as the most permanent, profitable, and independent avocation. 

 Practical works on farming and gardening have been distributed by 

 these newly-formed societies, and an increased sale created for such 

 manuals ; in proof of which, " The Young Gardener's Assistant^' has 

 been in great demand throughout the far westj from its having been 



