224 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



members of the State Agricultural Society, and so were the members of our 

 awarding committees. There was very little friction between the two societies, 

 and very little cause of complaint. From the jDresident, secretary, and execu- 

 tive board of the State Agricultural Society we received every courtesy and 

 attention that we could ask or expect. 



It is well enough to consider what we have gained by this union policy. A 

 certainty of nearly sufficient funds to pay premiums; printing bills paid ; a 

 large and commodious hall free of expense ; splendid exhibitions and magnifi- 

 cent crowds of people to look at the exhibitions. In other words we have had 

 success. Other pomological societies of sister States dwindle, — we live. 



At the same time it must be admitted that there is a growing sentiment in 

 favor of exhibitions by ourselves. That in the beautiful and generous city of 

 Detroit, the commercial emporium of the State, where much attention is paid 

 to fruits and flowers, a public hall could be procured for six days for an annual 

 exhibition of our Society ; that a premium list of $1,500 could be offered by 

 the help of public-spirited citizens; that half fare could be obtained over all 

 the railroads of the State ; that the necessary printing and advertising could 

 be obtained for a reasonable sum, and that a fair could be held there of the pro- 

 ducts of the orchards, vineyards, gardens, nurseries, conservatories, parlors, 

 plant houses, that would alike honor the State, the Society, and the people. 

 That time may not yet have arrived, but that it may come is possible and 

 probable, and I hope the members of this Society may live to see it. But for 

 the present I believe our true policy is in union fairs. 



OUR PREMIUMS. 



The experience of the past year has shown that we cannot contract our pre- 

 miums under the sum of $1,500 without injuring the usefulness of our fairs. 

 This includes the orchard premiums, which amounted in cash, besides diplomas, 

 to $187. A few years ago I advocated the doing away with all premiums, trust- 

 ing to the public spirit of individuals to make a fair. The millenium has not 

 yet arrived; money makes a fair ; the more premiums the larger the fair, and 

 the more money the greater the stimulation and emulation ; and the more 

 money you will get the more will you pay. I would like to see a premium list of 

 $2,000 for flowers and fruits. Is that too great a sum for Flora and Pomona ? 

 But $1,500 we must insist upon or go backwards. 



At least $300 should be given to bring forward floriculture. Under the stim- 

 ulation of our premiums this department is coming forward. The florists of 

 our State, — and there are many skillful and intelligent gentlemen engaged in the 

 growing of flowers, — begin to see the dawn of a brighter day for them. I am con- 

 vinced that under a liberal premium system more and more space will be required 

 for flowers at our fairs, and I look to see the large hall usually known as Floral 

 Hall entirely dedicated to and occupied with flowers. Gentlemen will talk 

 eloquently about the adornment of homes and the cultivation of rural tastes, 

 and then they will vote $100 for premiums for flowers and trees and plants, at 

 a State fair, or about what they would give one Shorthorn bull. The proper 

 way is to put money into the premiums. AVhen Mr. Hibbard, the young and 

 true florist of Jackson, arrived at the State Fair, he was surprised to see the 

 display, and said he never had any difficulty about getting space before. The 

 premiums were quite liberal in this department. Notice for instance the wide- 

 spread competition and emulation created by the $150 offered by Mr. Vick. 

 This shows what premiums will do. The entire interior space of Pomological 

 Hall at the State Fair should have been devoted to flowers. The collection 

 unbroken and united would have been magnificent. 



