358 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Last year we had large cards with names that could be seen from each 

 side. It seems to me the exhibit tables and shelves around tlie hall 

 might be much improved. I am glad that this has come up, and I hope 

 the Society will do what it can to have these tilings improved. I would 

 like to see more light and ventilation in our hall. Sometimes there is 

 too much light and sometimes scarcely light enough to distinguish va- 

 rieties of fruit. 



Mr. Hobbs: In the matter of naming fruits, it has been the practice 

 of this Society to appoint a committee that should precede the expert 

 judge, correctly naming the varieties as they understood them; this has 

 facilitated work very much and increased the value of the exhibit from 

 an educational standpoint. The past season this Society did not appoint 

 a committee, and there were a great many improperly named varieties on 

 exhibition. I am not sure but that this Society ought to see that the 

 expenses are paid and the matter attended to. The State Board ought 

 to look after this properly on its own account, but if it does not, it is to 

 the interest of the Horticultural Society to look after that matter. 



Mr. Tilson: I have thought several times that this idea of naming 

 the articles, especially in the agricultural, horticultural and vegetable 

 halls ought to be done. At the State Fair there are thirty or forty premi- 

 ums given on potatoes. When we go to see those potatoes we want to 

 know what they are. If you ask the exhibitor, very often he can't tell 

 you or give you the right name. It is the same way with squashes. I 

 wanted to get a certain variety and could not find it. The name of every 

 squash, new or old, ought to be put on it, so all can see it. Names ought 

 to be on pumpkins, squashes and potatoes especially. With corn it does 

 not make so much difference. The boys of Johnson County make the 

 biggest show of corn in this country, and it is always the same old corn. 

 There are new varieties of fruit coming on all the time, and 1 am de- 

 cidedly in favor of presenting some kind of resolution to the State Board 

 because they usually think we have not control or jurisdiction perhaps 

 of anything except fruit and apples. We as a State Horticultural Society 

 have entirely ignored that. We ought to pay more attention to it. 



Mr. Stevens: I think we are all of this opinion, and in order that we 

 may have this matter properly arranged at next State Fair, I move you 

 the President and Secretary take this matter in hand and meet with and 

 confer with the State Board of Agriculture at tlie February meeting 

 when they arrange a premium list, and carry out the suggestions of the 

 Society on this line. I think we all know the importance of having these 

 things named as a matter of education, and I think the State Board 

 would be glad to adopt any suggestions from this Society, and for that 

 reason I make motion that the President and Secretary take this matter 

 in hand. 



