186 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



mittecs to do their work ; and at least enough fruit to make one thousand 

 more plates had to remain in the packages for the want of room to put it up. 

 Thus it will readily bo seen that about one-fourth of the time spent in picking, 

 packin.2:, and preparing fruit for exhibition was labor lost, besides being the 

 cause of great disaiipointment to many who desired to make a large exhibit 

 and capture the awards. 



By resolution of the executive committee, which met in Paw Paw Dec. 2d, 

 1878, the superintendent was authorized to secure, if possible, the services of 

 some one from abroad to act as chairman of the apple committee. According- 

 ly correspondence was oi)ened with several parties, one of the number being 

 Hon. Hugh T. Brooks, of Western JSTew York, a prominent horticulturist of 

 that state, and who was the first to accept the position, with no other compen- 

 sationhan the necessary expenses for the trip to Detroit and return. Notice was 

 sent him that his labors would commence on Tuesday, the second day of the 

 fair, and prompt to the hour, Mr. Brooks ])ut in his appearance and reported for 

 duty, as did his associate, Mr. C. R. Coryell, of Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., 

 Michigan. This committee at once assumed the responsibility of examining 

 all the apples in every division on exhibition, and, as soon as the necessary pre- 

 liminary arrangements could be made, commenced their work. The unfavor- 

 able arrangement of the hall prompted me to accompany them, and assist as 

 much as possible by pointing out the exact location of each division and entry, 

 in order to make their task as light and pleasant as circumstances would per- 

 mit; for, notwithstanding our elfort at the outset to keep each division, class 

 and variety by themselves, the lack of room compelled us to place them in a 

 haphazard way in all parts of the hall. This made their work more laborious, 

 and consumed much more time than we intended it should, yet the committee, 

 true to a sense of duty, faltered not, and after a protracted season of nearly 

 two days surrendered the books and pronounced their work done. And we 

 will add well done ; for among the long list of exhibitors not one sent up an 

 appeal or intimated that justice had not been done them. 



The other committees on fruits were made up of experienced fruit growers 

 of Michigan, and, like the former committee, found a great amount of labor 

 to perform, each doing tlieir work in shorter time, but equally as well. 



Believing that woman's work can better be performed by women than by 

 men who hold the plow, it was thought best that division 0, dried fruits and 

 vegetables; division P, canned and pickled fruits; division Q, preserved fruits 

 and jellies, should be put under their charge. By mutual consent the follow- 

 ing committee was selected to examine the two hundred and sixty entries in the 

 above divisions : Mrs. 0. C. Abel and Mrs. S. A. Cady, of Wayne ; Mrs. E. F. 

 Guild, of East Saginaw. 



Of this committee I cannot do more than say that in performing their duty 

 they proved themselves equal to the emergency. Tlie show in this department 

 was far better and the competition much more spirited than we had any reason 

 to expect. Here we found all kinds of fruits and vegetables cither dried, 

 canned, pickled, preserved, or made into jellies that could be found in this 

 beautiful State of Michigan. Not only were the specimens especially beautiful 

 to look upon, but, judging from the looks, delicious to the taste. In this de- 

 partment the commendable rivalry that was manifested bespoke a day not far 

 distant when faithful hearts and willing hands shall place upon our tables- 

 much finer delicacies than we have yet seen. 



