ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



named "Mrs. W. T. Omwake." He also shows the "Thos. W. Law- 

 sou," and recent creations in white, red, pink and variegated colors. 



We report this exhibit as a whole to be a very creditable one and 

 such as should encourage increased efforts on the part of the 

 Society. 



We suggest that the Society offer a certificate of merit as pre- 

 mium for the exhibition of meritorious fruits; believing that this 

 would increase the interest in these annual exhibits. 



Respectfully submitted, 



A. N. BROWN, 

 DR. I. N. MAYER, 

 D. C. RUPP, 



Committee. 

 The CHAIR. — In the report just submitted Mr. Brown has made 

 a suggestion worthy of consideration, and I hope that it will be con- 

 sidered by this Society. I refer to the question of premiums for 

 exhibits. I hope some one will make a motion so that the matter 

 may be taken up for discussion. 



MR. BROWN. — I move that this Society be authorized to offer 

 certificates of merit to worthy exhibitors. In our Home Society 

 we did not have sufficient funds to offer cash prizes and in order 

 to encourage exhibitors we gave certificates of merit which to many 

 were of greater value than cash premiums. I have just received a 

 letter from my son who has been attending this week a meeting 

 of the Peninsula Horticultural Society, and he states that one ex- 

 hibitor had two 60 foot tables covered with his own display of fruft. 

 We have had exhibits of as many as 1,000 to 1,200 plates of apples 

 I would suggest also that at future exhibits all imperfect fruit be 

 debarred from our tables. We don't want to encourage the grow- 

 ing of imperfect specimens. We are the best people in the world 

 and deserve the best that can be had. I realize that this is a new 

 departure for this Association and I hope no action will be taken 

 without discussion. 



The CHAIR. — I have noticed for several years that usually the 

 best plate of peaches was grown in a village lot, and the best plate 

 of quinces was always grown in a village lot. I am in favor of 

 according to such exhibitors some kind of recognition, and we could 

 better afford to give certificates of merit than cash. I can hardlv 

 agree with Mr. Brown that all imperfect fruit be debarred at our 

 exhibits. Sometimes such specimens serve a valuable object lesson 

 by way of comparison. 



Mr. Brown's motion was adopted and the matter was referred to 

 the Executive Committee for arrangement of details. 



The CHAIR. — We have as a guest of this Association Mr. Skill- 

 man, President of the New Jersey Horticultural Society. He has 

 been very quiet since he is here and few have known of his presence 

 We will have the pleasure of hearing from him. 



MR. SKILLMAN. — I have been having a good time since I am 

 here and would rather listen than talk. I am glad to be with you 

 and am here because I want to be. Our New Jersey Society wanted 

 to send me elsewhere, but I preferred to come here because I had 

 been at the Bendersville meeting and wanted to return to see and 



