440 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



HORT I C ULTUK AL D EP AKTME NT. 



To the President and Members of the Michigan State Agricultural 

 Society : 



Gentlemen : — When the work of securing a horticultural exhibit was 

 taken up, two difficulties were experienced: First, the almost total failure 

 of the fruit crop in most of the southern counties; second, the early 

 date at which the fair was held combined with the lateness of the sea- 

 son, making it difficult to secure anything like the full size and high 

 color which are necessary for an attractive exhibit of fruit, especially as 

 most of the fruit had to come from the northern part of the state. 



Several of the counties which had planned to make exhibits, notably 

 Van Buren, Grand Traverse, Eaton and Macomb, found it practically 

 impossible to secure a creditable displa3% while Allegan and Kent sent 

 much smaller amounts than they had planned for. It was found, too, 

 that, in several of the northern counties from which the expenses of 

 making the exhibits have in the past been paid by appropriations by 

 the boards of supervisors, no provision for anything of the kind was 

 made this year. As I understand it, this was the case in Cheboygan, 

 Ogemaw, Alcona and Crawford counties, and I would recommend that 

 steps be taken previous to the annual meetings of the supervisors to 

 secure such appropriations for the coming year. 



Considering the drawbacks mentioned above, very creditable exhibits 

 of fruit were made by Roscommon and Otsego counties in the northern 

 section; by Clare, Emmet, Charlevoix, Leelanau and Benzie counties in 

 the northwestern section ; by Oceana, Kent and Allegan counties in the 

 southwest and by Washtenaw and Bay counties in the southeast section. 

 Fruit from several other counties was on exhibition. The fruit from 

 Oceana, Kent, Allegan and Leelanau counties was especially noticeable 

 for its freedom from the attack of the various insects and diseases 

 to which it is subject, due to thorough spraying. The exhibits compared 

 well in extent with those of any previous year and only lacked in size 

 and color. The peaches and plums were as fine as were ever shown 

 at the state fair except that the later kinds were only partially de- 

 veloped. 



The exhibit of canned and preserved fruit was slightly larger than 

 in 1906, and was very tastefully arranged by INIrs. Hoffman, who also 

 had charge of the cut flower exhibit. The judges found little or no 

 adulteration, and the appearance and condition of the fruit, pickles and 

 jellies spoke highly of the ability along this line, of the various ladies 

 who furnished it. 



The greenhouse plants on exhibit ion for ])remiums were slightly in 

 excess of those shown in 1000, both in quantity and quality. The build- 

 ing could readily accommodate double the number of plants shown this 

 year, but it cannot be very much increased unless larger premiums are 

 offered, as the Detroit florists claim that the present premiums do not 

 recompense them for the labor expended when they take into considera- 

 tion the injury sustained by the plants. 



