VEGETABLES. 283 



precarious. It is considered one of the most valuable vegetables 

 that is grown on the farm, and may many years elapse ere this 

 disease shall commit such fearful ravages among our crops. 



A growing interest in exhibitions of this character is very 

 perceptible from year to year. The increased receipts at the 

 door, and the crowded condition of the hall, indicate that the 

 public attention is awakened to their importance. The greater 

 amount of contributions, and that from a larger number of 

 contributors, is an evidence that this branch of culture is not 

 neglected, but is receiving a due degree of attention, especially 

 in our cities and larger towns, or their immediate vicinities. 



Such being the case, it is much to be regretted that the society 

 does not furnish more extensive accommodations for a proper 

 display of the products of industry, particularly in that 

 department which is under the immediate charge of this com- 

 mittee. 



The specimens for the most part are large — as huge and 

 mammoth squashes, bunches of onions, beets, carrots, turnips, 

 potatoes, &c. — and require much space to exhibit them to ad- 

 vantage. 



The society, by issuing a general invitation to all producers, 

 and requesting them to contribute the choice specimens of their 

 products to the exhibition, guarantees a due degree of accom- 

 modation for displaying such articles as may be presented. It 

 seems to be only a mere act of justice to these contributors that 

 the committee of arrangements, or those to whom this duty 

 belongs, should see that all suitable measures are adopted to 

 attain this object. 



A collection of vegetables, when properly arranged, presents 

 a beautiful spectacle. The diversity of forms is very peculiar, 

 and so striking as to arrest the attention and to excite the admi- 

 ration of the most indifierent observer. Every part of the 

 plant is here represented in one or the other of the various 

 classes, and to the improvement of that particular part of the 

 plant in the respective class the efforts of the cultivators are 

 mainly directed. Thus some are cultivated for the leaf, others 

 for the leaf stock ; some for the ripened seed, others for the 

 pericarp or the receptacle of the seed; some for the bulb or 

 bud, in which is folded the future plant; others for the roots, 



