THE ANNUAL FAIR OF 1886. 169 



LIST OF AWARDS MADE BY THE MICHIGAN STATE HORTICULTURAL 



SOCIETY AT THE FAIR OF 1886. 



Division A. — General Collection of Fruits for Educational Purposes. 



The statement in the premium list concerning this offering was as fol- 

 lows: 



This collection will contain, as far as practicable, the varieties of named 

 fruits grown in Michigan, with distinct labels attached, giving the name and 

 value for dessert, cooking and market purposes. Contributions of new or 

 uncommon varieties are solicited, and certificates of special merit upon 

 varieties thus contributed will be awarded by the executive board. Every 

 friend of progressive pomology in the State is requested to assist in this 

 plan of acquainting people with the varieties grown in the State, and to 

 notify the division superintendent of the whereabouts of rare sorts. Three 

 life memberships in the society will be awarded those contributors who assist 

 the superintendent most satisfactorily, to be granted in the discretion of the 

 executive board. 



At the time of compiling this report Mr. Gulley's account of the exhibit 

 is not in; it will probably appear in the proceedings of the annual meeting. 

 The exhibit was a very successful one, and the Executive Board awarded two 

 life memberships for assistance rendered, as follows: W. E. Wadsworth, 

 Lapeer; D. G. Edmiston, Adrian. 



Division B. — Artistic Exhibits of Horticultural Products. 



Class I. — Most artistic and attractive arrangement of fruits, flowers, 

 plants, vegetables, grasses and cereals, to occupy ten feet of side wall with 

 corresponding ceiling and table room; to be complete at 4 o'clock of the 

 second day of the fair, and maintained until 2 oclock of the last day of the 

 fair. Second premium. El wood Graham, Grand Rapids. The committee, 

 consisting of Col. G. B. Brackett, of Iowa, and H. E. Van Deman, of Kan- 

 sas, noted in making the above award that their criticism which led to the 

 second instead of first premium upon the only entry found, was that the 

 background for the exhibit was very objectionable, not harmonizing with 

 the attractive display of products. 



FRUIT DEPARTMENT. 



The executive board of this society having seen the tendency to swell 

 general collections and worthless varieties to secure a larger number of 

 plates for competition, decided, before sending out the offerings for 1886 to 

 preface the offerings with the following statement: 



" Our annual exhibits of fruits indicate a tendency, on the part of 

 orchardists, to plant, grow and exhibit an extensive variety of fruits; many 

 of which are of very little relative value. 



"There is also manifested a tendency, even in the planting of varieties 

 strictly for home use, to so far subordinate the selection of varieties to the 

 commercial considerations of productiveness, beauty and ability to withstand 



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