HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 139 



The display of grapes was as large and included as many 

 varieties as have ever been shown in the state. The size of 

 bunch and berry, and the compactness of the clusters have never 

 been excelled. But unfortunately from several causes the sea- 

 son had proved unfavorable for their early maturity and gener- 

 ally they imperfectly colored up, unripe and sour. Only a few- 

 Moore's Early, Lady, Worden and Delawares were in an eatable 

 condition. Perhaps it would have been better if no exhibit of 

 this fruit had been made. The leading exhibitors were A. W. 

 Latham, Excelsior; E. Knapheide, St. Paul; IS". J. Stubbs, Long 

 Lake; M. Pearse, Norwood; and G. P. Robinson, Minneapolis. 



The display of strawberries, raspberries and currants in bot- 

 tles by Wm. Lyons, C. L. Smith and others, was a pleasing and 

 instructive feature of the fair. J. C. Kramer, of La Crescent, 

 showed immense specimens and clusters of his new seedling, the 

 Princess, a variety if not misrepresented destined to create a 

 sensation if it does not revolutionize the business of growing this 

 popular berry and place it within the reach of all classes. 



In the floral department the competitors were not as many as 

 at some preceding fairs, but the variety, quality and beauty of 

 the plants as they were arrayed in profuse bloom, and with their 

 fragrance greeted thousands who passed to take in their beauty, 

 could not well be excelled in any land. The principal profes- 

 sional exhibitors were R. J. Mendenhall, Minneapolis; L. L. 

 May & Co., St. Paul, and J. Vasatka, Minneapolis, in the pro- 

 fessional department; and Miss Julia Lyons, amateur. Miss Lyons 

 is a daughter of Wm. Lyons, a prominent small fruit grower 

 and member of our Society. The plants and flowers were pro- 

 pagated and grown in a most skillful manner by herself as a re- 

 creation, showing knowledge and a refined taste. They reflect 

 honor to the grower and were an object lesson of what may be 

 accomplished by a busy woman when prompted by a love of the 

 beautiful. The growing of flowers for market is as easy, pleas- 

 ant and lucrative as almost any of the employments pursued by 

 women who have to earn their own support. Why do not more 

 of them engage in it ? 



Mr. Harris, from the committee on Fruit Blossoms, presented 

 the following; 



