524 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



appeared. The time before dinner was spent socially. At about one 

 o'clock President Garfield called to order and S. E. Rogers was made 

 secretary -pro tern. Mr. Garfield then chatted for awhile upon the sub- 

 ject of farmers' institutes. He stated that there were to be two big insti- 

 tutes added to the programme, the objects of which were the kindergarten 

 work of farming. He called attention to the exhibits of fruits and flowers 

 made by the several members present, which was entirely unnecessary, as 

 the fragrance of the roses filled the room, the gorgeous colors of the 

 chrysanthemums dazzled the eyes, and the pondrous proportions of the 

 peaches, grapes, apples, and beets were a wonder for all. 

 A portion of the display was as follows: 



Sloman S. Bailey of Paris — Apples for nomenclature. They were picked from a 

 bough of a Golden Russet tree, but looked more like Greenings than Golden Russets. 



H. C. Hogadone of Walker — Shorthorn carrots, Sugar and Blood beets, for which he 

 wanted the opinion of those present on their respective value with grain for feeding 

 to stock. 



W. K. Munson — Niagara grapes kept in cold storage. 



S. C. Woodman of Walker — A basket of Keiffer pears and a sample of excellent 

 eating apples, which no one named, but were assuredly from a Maiden Blush stock. 



Asa W. Slayton — Sweet potatoes of the Nansemond, Gen. Grant, and Dixie 

 varieties. 



Henry Smith — A grand display of roses, and Chinese, Japanese, and native 

 chrysanthemums. 



This display of products was made the basis of the remarks to be made, 

 and the president first called upon H. C. Hogadone of Walker. He 

 explained the culture of sugar beets. He raised twenty-five bushels on the 

 twentieth part of an acre. Cattle and hogs are very fond of them; he 

 preferring them to the Mangel Wurzel or the Blood beet. He asked for 

 information in regard to the feeding of these roots in comparison with 

 corn. 



Mr. Wilson of Walker thought both were necessary, and if both were 

 fed the stock would not be cloyed on either. He thought about four 

 bushels of beets were about equal to one bushel of ears of corn. 



Mr. Willard of Alpine thought the yalue of root crops was overesti- 

 mated. Because we can raise a large number of bushels of carrots, or 

 turnips or beets, it does not follow that there is more nutriment for cattle, 

 grown to the acre. Mr. Willard thought the proportion of nutriment was 

 five bushels to one as compared with grain. 



Asa W. Slayton being then called upon to speak about his sweet 

 potatoes, read the following: 



Fay's Prolific currant far excels my Red Dutch, White Dutch, and White Grape 

 in health and productiveness. The last three varieties, formerly so good, seem to be 

 dying out. My Turner raspberries are a failure for table or profit and have been dug 

 up. The Snyder blackberry shows not a pint of gratitude for four years of care, and 

 will be converted into useful ashes. Of grapes, Brighton and Vergennes are thrifty, 

 productive, and good; Lady Washington, immense clusters, good; Jefferson, indifferent 

 grower, small, skinny; Pocklington, tender as a gosling, are for sale. The Lemon 

 peach, free, is an excellent late variety. The Pike's Peak squash is productive and of 

 best quality. Hardly a dozen of the bad-odor squash bugs visited me this year. 

 There was no wiping of eyes or rubbing of noses about it, either. The Egyptian 

 Blood Turnip beet, when young, is good for the table: but when large, after you cut off 

 the pithy crown and trim off the rooty bottom, there are but two slices left for com- 

 sumption. Hungarian Honey watermelon is excellent in quality and thinnest of rind, 

 red to one fourth inch of outside; but it is rather seedy and round as a cannon ball, 

 and when you cut one and cut off two slices from each half you have only two bottoms 

 left. Not so with the Gray Monarch, or White Icing, a long, cylindrical melon of best 



