5^12 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



come. At first the fruit was (lisplayed u})ou stairs, and was found to be in 

 poor arrangemeiit for both exhibitors and awarding committees. I understand, 

 however, tliat after I left, tables were emiihn'ed to mucli better advantage. I 

 would give as ui}^ opinion that a hall for fruit should be so arranged as to admit 

 of a line of tables through the center, and if arranged on the sides there should 

 not be more than a rise of one stcj) so that the fruit should not be placed on. 

 more than two levels. 



Mr. Stearns, Kalamazoo. — I have had some exi»crience in exhibiting grapes 

 on Hat tables with no plates whatever, and in no other way can I make so per- 

 fect a display. The tables if arranged so as to have the plane of the exhibit 

 on a slight incline, i)erhaps would be a little improved. But if covered with 

 neat white pai)er, and the grapes arc nicely arranged, there is no way they can 

 be placed for effect that will be so complete. I can see no decided objection 

 to the showing of other fruits in the same manner. 



Prof. Beal. — The gentleman will sec by the samples of plates which I have, 

 and that are in use by eastern societies, that the edge is as slight as jiossible, so 

 that in the use of thcni there will be all the advantages of Mr. Stearns' system 

 with, perhaps, an added one by having a slight ridge to sei)arate the varieties. 

 These plates being rectangular when placed in close proximity cover the whole 

 surface of the table. 



Mr. Lyon. — I can see a decided objection to the exhibition of fruit by Mr. 

 Stearns' i)lan in the danger of mixing varieties. With the tendency to roll' 

 that apples have, it would be almost impossible to prevent chaos in a table of 

 ordinary stability. 



Mr. Stearns. — I think Mr. Lyon's point is Avell taken, perha})s, on applies and 

 similar fruit, but with grapes there is no danger of this kind, and when- 

 arranged so as to have as much immediate contrast of color as possible there is 

 no difficulty in detecting sorts. 



Mr. E. 1[. Keynolds, Monroe. — I have brought uj) some samples of galvan- 

 ized wire plates that are light, durable and cheap — my own invention while 

 trying to find a solution for the problem we are now discussing. The objection 

 that may be brought against these samples may be in the form which is round, 

 but I apprehend no ditliculty in making them square. 



Mr. Lyon. — I suppose the same thing may be said of tin plates, they can be- 

 as easily made rectangular as round, and thus the space upon tables will be 

 more effectually utilized, and this is an important point, for if we are to show 

 npoa fiat tables we shall require more horizontal space than we have ordinarily 

 needed. 



Mr. Chilson. — I have some Japan jilatcs (which were subsequently exhibited) 

 made by a firm in Chicago, that can be inirchased for $50 or ^(!0 j)er thousand. 

 that are very neat, durable, and we would have no dilliculty from breakage. 

 They are round, but can be nnide rectangular, and please me very much. Here 

 are also some samples of earthen jilates made by a firm in Jackson. They are 

 quite neat, but arc heavy to transport from place to place, as we must do. 



Mr. Buell. — I see a decided objection to anything that is not white. All. 

 kinds of fruit show better upon a white surface. If a man s])cnds a week in 

 getting fruit together, and takes the cream of his possessions to the fair, it is 

 but ju.<t that the most complete provision be made for him to exhibit the 

 perfections of his entries, and I hope this society will bear in mind the 

 signilicanco of this fact. I i)ray you, do not invest in anything that you will 

 immediately regret. 



