180 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



There was exhibited an exceedingly creditable showing of fruits not entered 

 for premiums from the following gentlemen : E. Le Valley, 5 varieties of 

 apples; Geo. W. Phelps, 11 varieties of apples; in this collection was an extra 

 fine plate of Eed Canada that deserves especial mention. C. A. Dutton, 3 

 varieties of apples, 1 variety of grapes ; A. F. Gaylor, 3 varieties of apples ; L. 

 H. Bailey, 25 varieties of apples, a fine collection ; H. W. Doney, 2 

 varieties of apples, 1 variety of pears; E. Graham, 4 varieties of apples; 

 E. H. Scott, 6 varieties of apples; ^Vm. Rowe, of Grand Rapids, 1 

 plate of Prentiss grape ; N. H. Bitely, 1 plate of Yellow Newtown Pippin, very 

 fine; N. Fitch, 8 varieties of apples; W. H. Hurlbut, 2 varieties of apples;. 

 Geo. Phelps, of Okemos, Ingham county, sends two plates of Red Canada, one 

 grafted on Spy stock, the other on Early Harvest. There is a noticeable 

 difference in the two plates. Those on Spy stock are juicy and crisp, while' 

 those on Early Harvest are tough and fibrous and considerably earlier. Prof. 

 Beal has on exhibition from the Agricultural College a specimen of Rhode 

 Island Greening with Russet stripes. The theory is held by a large number 

 that this freak is brought about by the pollen from the Russet fertilizing 

 another variety. Prof. Beal shows two specimen of Northern Spy, the 

 blossoms of which he fertilized with the pollen from the Golden Russet with 

 no effect whatever. He also exhibits fruit of tlie Monstera Deliciosa, a hot- 

 house plant, the fruit of Avhich is edible, having somewhat the flavor between 

 the pineapple and the banana; also a plate of Ariscema Dracontium, or dragon- 

 root, and a plate of barberry berries. Specimens of Monstera Deliciosa and 

 dragon-root were exhibited by the commissioners at the Boston meeting of the 

 American Pomological Society, and attracted a great dccil of attention. There 

 is also on exhibition some evaporated fruit sent by Mr. John Williams, of 

 Kalamazoo, the work of his evaporator, consisting of peaches, apples, black 

 raspberries, and the cores and skins of apples, all of which are very finely 

 done. Before closing their report, your committee would like to suggest that 

 at future exhibitions before the society some system be followed in the arrange- 

 ment of fruits. It seems to us that a superintendent should be appointed by 

 the local society where the meeting is held, to have especial charge of the 

 entering and arranging of fruits. Also that placards be put up on different 

 portions of the tables allotted for that purpose, with notices of market, 

 cooking, dessert, or whatever else this society may decide upon as best to give 

 premiums upon ; that the fruit not designed for premiums should be arranged 

 by itself. The exhibitors would then know exactly where to place the different 

 classes. This plan would very materially facilitate the work of the fruit 

 committee. Another point we would like to call attention to, which has often 

 been brought before this societ^^ viz. : The rubbing or polishing of fruits. 

 We are decidedly against it. We would also suggest that fruit for premiums 

 should not have the name of exhibitors attached until after the awards are 

 made. In closing, we would say that the exhibition of apples is exceedingly 

 fine, and is a decided credit to the society. All of which is respectfully sub- 

 mitted. 



EVART H. SCOTT, 

 E. M. POTTER, 

 JAMES F. TAYLOR, 

 G. H. LA FLEUR, 

 A. C. GLIDDEN, 



Co)n77uttee. 

 Report was accepted and adopted. 



