(I'M) 



THE FuriT LXDI STRY i.\ NEW YORK STATE 



EARLY PREMIUM LISTS 



The first published premium list for fruits appeared in connec- 

 tion with the Fair held at Utica in 1845. It is given below in the 

 original form: 



TABLE APPLES 



1ST 2ND 3RD 



For the greatest variety of table 



apples $5'. 00 $3 . 00 Vol. Trans. 



TABLE PEARS 

 Greatest variety of table pears $3. 0,0 Vol. Trans. 



WINTER APPLES 

 Greatest variety of winter apples. . . Vol. Trans. 



APPLES 

 Best twelve varieties table apples. . . 



.$3.00 



Best twelve quinces. 



QUINCES 



Vol. Trans. 



Vol. Trans, 



Best twenty-four plums 



PLUMS 



Vol. Trans. 



GRAPES 



Best six bunches native grapes Vol. Trans. 



Best six bunches foreign grapes Vol. Trans. 



From- such a beginning the fruit exhibit 'has grown until it 

 now embraces nearly 270 classes with, annual awards of over 

 $4,000. In the forties and fifties popular premiums were: a 

 volume of the Transactions of the Society, the Diploma of the 

 Society, and a copy of Downing's " Fruits and Fruit Trees in 

 America." Xames often appearing in the early records were* 

 those of David Thomas and J. J. Thomas, Ellwanger and Barry, 

 William Kenrick (who brought collections of fruit from his Massa- 

 chusetts home), Lincoln Fay, Charles Downing,, and A. J. Down- 

 ing. Many of these men established an enduring place for them- 

 selves in American pomology. The beginnings of our fruit 

 industry were in able hands. 



It is of interest to note that watermelons and muskmelons were 

 listed and awarded premiums under the headings of fruits for 

 a considerable period. 



