STATE POMOLOaiCAL SOCIETY. 1()9 



rising one above another toward the centre, thus showing three 

 tiers of plates from each side. So that in order to get a full view 

 of all the specimens of fruit on each table, you must walk entirely 

 around it. Then, in taking a general survey of the hall, only the 

 upper tiers were to be seen. This objection was obviated, how- 

 ever, when the fruit was removed to Agricultural Hall, (as it was 

 after a few days, to make room for the World's Poultry Show,) 

 in the use of level tables constructed in the same form as those 

 adopted by this Society in its annual exhibitions. Amid the con- 

 fusion, so general, I found it very difficult to keep my mind or 

 eyes upon any one thing long enough to take such notes as might 

 be useful to myself or of interest to others. I am thinking others 

 sometimes got mixed somewhat, as I recall the result of certain 

 note-takiug one day. Some one suggested, ( I don't propose to 

 call any names here,) that we devote the morning to taking notes 

 on the fruit exhibited in the Pomological building. With note- 

 book and pencil we set about the work. I think it safe to say, 

 that scarcely fifteen minutes had passed before some one called 

 my attention to a "magnificent pumpkin" on a table near at hand. 

 The pumpkin (fruit) and a big squash gone over, — "and these 

 potatoes," — " Why, sir, a LewisLon grocer (Lewiston is in Andro- 

 scoggin county) would not look at such a second time." Then 

 " Here is some Oregon wheat," from four to six feet in height, 

 the kernel plum.p, white and nearly as large as Rio coffee Then 

 another table loaded with vegetables and fruit. Now, all I re- 

 member distinctly about this table is the fact that on it were some 

 very fine Italian chestnuts in the burr. Chestnut burrs are ugly 

 to the fingers. If this variety of chestnuts are generally as large 

 and fair and good as those we saw, I sincerely hope the seed may 

 come true to name. I have had only a limited experience in rais- 

 ing chestnuts, and these only home chestnuts, — but I am alwa^'s in 

 doubt about apple seeds, and New York apple trees as well, be- 

 cause you can't tell what the fruit may be till you see it, or taste 

 it. Now in referring to my note-book, the only nameable things 

 I find recorded on that morning, are the number and varieties of 

 apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes, &c., said to be contained 

 in the Michigan contribution, and something about some magnifi- 

 cent Italian chestnuts seen on another table. Before dismissing 

 this part of my subject, I desire again to express the hope that 

 Italian chestnuts, when planted, are sure to vegetate, prove hardy, 

 and are certain to reproduce Italian chestnuts. If my companion 



