194 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



my observation I know of no Agricultural Society that has succeeded in mak- 

 ing a creditable exhibit of fruit that has not called to its aid the Horti- 

 culturists of the State. 



The systematic arrangement and classification of the fruits iu such a 

 manner as to afford instruction to the public and lessen the labor of the 

 judges was very good, but one of the most important works of the society 

 under the leadership of Pres. Lyon, the correcting the nomenclature of the 

 fruits, was very plain to be seen. As far as I was able to judge I do not re- 

 member of ever seeing so large a collection of fruit where there were so few 

 mistakes in naming. 



The display of grapes and plums was very fine, showing the adaptation of 

 soil and climate to the growing of these luscious fruits. The cultivation of 

 seedling grapes grown by Mr. Chidester contained some promising varieties, 

 one of which the committee deemed worthy of special notice and with the ad- 

 vice and consent of the originator it was honored with the name of your worthy 

 President Lyon. We hope it will be given a trial in other States and prove an 

 acquisition to our list of grapes. 



The exhibition from the Agricultural College by Prof. Bailey was interest- 

 ing, especially the 70 varieties of tomatoes raised from seed obtained from 

 the different seedsmen of the country for the purpose of comparison and de- 

 tecting fraud. We notice some old varieties with new names. 



I was sorry that for the lack of time I could not make a more careful 

 examination of the exhibit, and give a more detailed report. 



I cannot close these brief remarks without expressing my appreciation of the 

 hearty reception given me and of the hospitable entertainment and the court- 

 eous, gentlemanly treatment and the warm fraternal feeling extended to me by 

 all with whom I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted. 



Very Respectfully, 



G. B. Brackett. 



Denmark, Iowa, November, 1886. 



THE EDUCATIONAL EXHIBIT. 



Mr. A. G. Gulley, who was in charge of the educational exhibit at the late 

 State fair, submitted the following report: 

 To the Annual Meeting of the State Horticultural Society: 



Division A, in my charge, was a collection of varieties for educational pur- 

 poses. It was intended to have all parts of the State represented as far as 

 possible, but owing to lack of time, the superintendent of the division was 

 unable to visit other sections and arrange for exhibits to add to the collec- 

 tion, so but very few localities were represented very fully. 



About 150 circulars were mailed to horticulturists and others in all parts 

 of the State, interested in the matter, stating the objects of the collection, 

 and asking contributions of anything that would add to the value of the 

 exhibit, calling especially for new or valuable varieties in the locality repre- 

 sented. 



Replies were received from several, and nearly all promised assistance, 

 which in every case was rendered. Still, had the matter been laid person- 

 ally before the societies of the State, no doubt many additional valuable varie- 

 ties could have been placed on exhibition. 



The collection, as placed on the table at the fair, consisted of about 200 



