STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 123 



/ 

 J. 8. Hakris, 



1st premium on peck yellow onions. 



President Harris offered the following copy of report of viewing 

 committee on flowers at the State fair, which was ordered published in 



transactions : 



The committee report a fine collection of plants tastefully arranged, those from 

 Rochester being very fresh and beautiful. The fountain throwing sprays of water 

 over the plants, greatly enhanced the beauty of the display, which was fully appre- 

 ciated 1)3' the thronging multitude. 



We have been greatly irou])Ied to decide between the first and second premiums, 

 for best display of green house plants. 



We think that Mrs. Welch makes the finest show, and that her plants seem to be 

 in the most healthy condition ; but Mr. Salzer has more vase plants, and they have 

 been longer on the grounds, and coming from a greater distance, has somewhat in- 

 jured their appearance, still, we feel compelled to award him the first premium, and 

 Mrs. Welch the second, for best display of green house plants. 



The third premium is awarded to Mrs. Nisbet, whose collection is smaller, but in 

 fine condition, and deserves honorable mention. 



Tliere is close competition between the exhibitors of coleus and foliage plants. 

 Mr. Salzer's collection of coleus is large and beautiful, but Mrs. Welch has more 

 varieties, with more brilliant maskings. Mrs. Welch's plants are less in number, 

 but very highly colored and very thrifty ; Mr. Salzer's more varied and tropical. 



We found difliculty in awarding single plant, because but few were entered, so 

 manv being part of a collection, and not subject to a prize. Some plants on the 

 premium list are not represented at all, and quite a number are entered that are 

 not on the premium list. 



Mrs. N. C. Ciiapik, 

 Mrs. C. F. Younglove, 

 Mrs. p. L. Dansingbury. 



Committee. 

 The following letter from J. L, Budd, of Iowa, was deemed worthy 

 of publication : 



Ames, Iowa, Dec. 27, 1881. 

 Mr. J. H. Harris: 



My Dear Sir: — I intended to get up to your meeting this year, but find I can- 

 not, as our meeting commences on the 17th of January. If I could be on hand to 

 defend it I would like to read a paper on the fruits of northern Europe. The sub- 

 ject is not well understood. There is no lack of winter varieties of the apple of 

 the Astrachanica type around Moscow. At St. Petersburg the summers are too 

 short and cool to mature winter varieties. Around Moscow are also grown pears, 

 cherries, plums, and Apricots which would be valuable in your climate. The idea 

 of making anything from the crosses of the Siberian crab will amount to nothing, 

 as the whole race has too mnch tendency to blight. Sooner or later you will decide 

 to make use of the fruits of nortliern Europe and Asia. 



In judging of the Russian fruits, the idea should be kept in mind that when the 

 .scions were sent from St. Petersburg in 1870, Dr. Regel had just commenced his 



