82 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In oue of the pavilions the general seed and horticultural appliances 

 display will take place; in the other pavilion the viticultural exhibit will 

 be confined. These will be separated from the other displays as com- 

 pletely as if they were in a separate building. 



The classification is very elaborate and embraces almost everything of 

 interest to horticulturists. Here may be seen fruits and plants from every 

 part of the world, the best methods of heating and ventilating greenhouses; 

 grafting, pruning, and spraying trees and vines; machinery for gathering 

 and marketing fruits; and for assorting, cleaning, arranging, labeling, and 

 testing the vitality of seeds. 



It would take too much of your valuable time to give in detail the full 

 scope of the department. 



Mr. John Thorpe of the floricultural bureau is now in the east, and is 

 instructed to visit every prominent conservatory and make a complete list 

 of all the fine plants that will be donated, loaned, or exhibited for compe- 

 tition, with a view to having one or more men start, about the beginning 

 of the year, to the West Indias and Central and South America, to collect 

 large specimens that can not be secured in this country. Directions for 

 collecting, packing, and forwarding plants from foreign countries have 

 been translated into several languages and widely distributed. 



Many intending exhibitors of fruits and plants, in this and foreign 

 countries, have made application for space, or, with a view thereto, are cor- 

 responding with the department. 



The management, with the aid of the heads of the other departments, 

 have strenuously opposed all cash premiums, and it has therefore been 

 more difficult to convince the authorities that an appropriation was neces- 

 sary for that purpose. In my report to the committee on awards, of the 

 national commission, and the agricultural committee of the local directory, 

 I made the following statement: 



" Believing it will result in economy to the Exposition management, 

 besides being an act of justice to a certain class of exhibitors, and also 

 create a superior exhibit, I would recommend that an appropriation of 

 $45,000 be devoted to cash premiums. No manufacturer of any horticult- 

 ural appliance, or any person or corporation who could be greatly benefited 

 from advertising a business, should receive a cash premium. On the 

 other hand, the exhibitor of fruits and plants, who makes collections at 

 great cost, pays freight and express charges, is protected by no patents, 

 and receives no special benefit, and finally loses everything at the close 

 of the Exposition, should be reimbursed for some of his outlay. As a 

 prize that would be offered amounts to a very small per cent, of the value 

 of the article exhibited, it seems to me it would be a wise policy to induce 

 the owners of meritorious specimens to offer them for competition, 

 rather than be compelled to purchase for account of the Exposition. 

 Some of the rarest and most beautiful plants could not be bought or 

 borrowed, and the only way in which they could be secured would be to 

 offer competitive prizes." 



Both committees and Director-General Davis have recommended the 

 appropriation, which practically insures its passage. This amount will be 

 sufficient to secure a magnificent display. 



Michigan, with her unsurpassed horticultural resources, well-known 

 enterprise of her citizens, and her proximity to the World's Fair site, is 

 expected to and should make one of the best and most extensive displays. 

 The grand old man who is at the head of the Columbian Commission, the 



