No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 145 



S. Do not fail to include seedlings in vour i^reniium list; bear in 

 mind that several of the best and most popular apples now grown 

 in this State were the result of chance seedlings. If the quality is 

 inferior, no premium should be paid, regardless of its appearance. 



4. Insist that all kinds of fruit shall be properly classified and 

 arranged to the best ])ossible advantage for both the exhibitor and 

 visitor. Where the entries of fruit are large and the competition 

 is sharp, it is better by far to have the fruit arranged alphabetically; 

 for example, in the case of apples, starting at the head of the table 

 with plates containing such varieties as the Alexander, Baldwin, 

 Chenango, etc. This not only saves time, but is fairer to both ex- 

 hibitor and judge, as the plan will prevent the possibility of over- 

 looking an exhibit, as is frequently the case when exhibits are not 

 placed together or within easy reach. 



5. It is not advisable to award a regular i)remium to a mis-named 

 exhibit; if the judges cannot decide as to the true name, and a pre- 

 mium should be awarded, it is better and more honorable to make an 

 award "to an unknown but worthy variety." 



G. Where the exhibitor makes a display of fruit that is free from 

 blight, fungi and the ravages of insects, let the judge give the ex- 

 hibit preference, rather than award the premiums to some abnorm- 

 ally large and worm-eaten specimens, as is too often the case. 



7. Be on the lookout for the pernicious San Jos6 Scale. The 

 speaker discovered some fine specimens of the Clairgeau pear at a 

 fair that were completely covered by the markings peculiar to the 

 scale, although the owner had not recognized their true character. 

 In such cases it is best to remove the fruit so affected and destroy it 

 without delay. 



8. Do not allow color alone to influence your work as a judge in 

 awarding premiums. The same variety of fruit, taking apples as 

 an example, will show strong variations in type, according to the 

 location and age of the trees, nature of soil, shade, fertilization, etc. 

 The most expert judges are frequently puzzled, and in such cases it 

 is well to act slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes and the injus- 

 tice that would be inflicted on the exhibitor. 



9. If it is impossible for a society to offer premiums, however 

 small, for all varieties, let them recognize the leading standard varie- 

 ties, and incorporate the remainder into contests for the best collec- 

 tive prizes. Such collections in many cases will instil greater com- 

 petition than the awards for single plates. 



10. Do not fail to revise your premium lists, and make the changes 

 that may be demanded with honor and fairness to all parties in- 

 terested. You cannot afford to do an injustice either to the ex- 

 hibitor or to the society. Their interests are mutual, and they must 

 work together to produce satisfactory results. 



10—6—1901 



