PROCEEDINGS AND REPORTS. 233 



something about the proportions when the entries are made. It gives visitors an oppor- 

 tunity to compare the judgments of men with reference to the best varieties of a 

 stated number. 



3. For the first time in the history of the Society all bars were removed from in 

 front of the tables of fruit, and even with the same number of watchmen, there was 

 less complaint from theft than usual. There is no question but that the bars are now 

 down "for keeps." A little more police force will be required, and there should be 

 large placards notifying people to keep " hands off," and then make examples of those 

 who wilfully break the rule. It is as good a place at the Fair, to teach honesty and 

 good manners, as it is to have fun ; and our Society may as well become an educator in 

 this direction. 



4. Our experience in the securing of experts from abroad to award the premiums is 

 most favorable to the plan. We may have men of just as good judgment, and just as 

 honest as any we can import, out in every instance the awards made by the visiting 

 judge will give the greater satisfaction. Why would it not be expedient for societies 

 to arrange an exchange in this matter of committee work ? The expense would be light, 

 and the results would certainly be valuable. 



5. Florists or amateur plant growers never should make an exhibit at a Fair without 

 a clearly defined plan of what they intend to do. Everything depends upon arrange- 

 ment for effect. And one cannot afford to do his experimenting to produce effects after 

 the Fair opens. 



6. The educational exhibit of varieties, which shall include everything that can be 

 gathered, showing the weak points as well as the strong points in each sort, and giving 

 as much information as is possible upon labels, with an expert near at hand to answer 

 questions, becomes an indispensable accessory to our Fairs, when we limit the large 

 competing collections to the best varieties. And this is the safest way to show the poorer 

 sorts, as no one will be deceived by a handsome appearance or great size ; for the grad- 

 ing of the variety will be upon its label. Again, it is invaluable, connected with an 

 exhibit of this sort, to have cases of injurious insects and tree branches, galls and 

 blights. It is entirely practicable for a society to give information in this way, and 

 thus pave the way for better methods and purposes in the conducting of our Fairs. 



7. The experiment of showing bedding plants in beds as they would appear upon 

 the lawn proves a success. It is the only proper way to award premiums upon plants 

 used for bedding purposes ; and the exhibition of good taste in the employment of bed- 

 ding plants is as important a thing to award a premium upon as the selection of appro- 

 priate plants with which to adorn the beds. The accomplishment of the best results in 

 this direction, however, depends largely upon a further suggestion: 



8. That the Fair should have a permanent location. Then bedding and decorative 

 plants could be shown with the surroundings which intensify effects desirable to be pro- 

 duced, and while accomplishing this purpose for the sake of a premium or advertise- 

 ment the exhibitor adorns the grounds about the building, and renders the whole dis- 

 play more attractive to exhibitors. 



9. The further experience with canned fruits leads to the conclusion that it is impos- 

 sible to get much satisfaction from an exhibit in this department. With the present 

 proficiency on the part of housewives in the canning of fruits, it is utterly impossible 

 for a committee to determine which is the best of several collections, without testing 

 each jar, which is manifestly out of the question. The securing of a premium in this 

 division thus becomes a matter of lottery. It is really questionable if the stimulating 



