STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 19 



the fair groimcls, placed on exhibition, and later returned to the 

 school building. 



Results. About 350 plants were exhibited at the fair. They 

 were arranged on receding shelves on three sides of the elevator 

 shaft, and about the stairway leading to the observatory. About 

 350 out of 450 plants were placed on exhibition by the children, 

 and they formed a ver}' attractive feature in the floral display, and 

 were admired by the public. The children showed a deep interest 

 in the plants, and many of them were enthusiastic over their suc- 

 cess in cultivating. They have also learned some things they^ will 

 never forget ; better still, this care of the plants has taught them to 

 learn much of other plants. The general plan has proved so 

 successful it is hoped the society may be able to continue this line 

 of work in the future. It is also hoped that other societies may 

 give some features of this work a fair trial in the future. Pre- 

 miums were awarded the best plants injeach class. 



It is hoped the executive committee may see (the way clear to 

 continue the department next year, but there is considerable ex- 

 pense connected with it. The scope of the work should be ex- 

 tended, so that the plants should all be named before they are 

 given out to the children, with the idea in view that the child 

 will learn more about the plant if it is some particular species than 

 if it is simplj' a geranium without name. A few more plants 

 should be furnished by some one, and the premiums should be paid 

 to the children at once, as delay with them is a cause of much 

 anxiety. 



It is a cause of regret to the writer thaf so little interest is 

 shown in competing for the botanical premiums offered by the 

 society. For the premium offered to high schools there was only 

 one competitor, and that was the Orouo HighjSchool. It is grati- 

 fying, however, to note that this collection was an excellent one, 

 and we take pleasure in making a public recognition of its merit. 

 With the increased interest in introducing the study of agriculture 

 in the schools we are disappointed in not having the efforts of the 

 society in this direction more generally appreciated. 



The officers have been aiming at a closer following of the rules, 

 believing that the interests of all will be best subserved thereb}'. 

 There are several rules that ought to be changed or enforced, 

 and it is the intention of the committee to follow them this year. 



