REPORT 



COMMITTEE ON THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION. 



The Committee appointed to co-operate in the International Ex- 

 position at Philadelphia, report as follows : 



Early in the season a circular was prepared by the Committee 

 setting forth the object of their appointment, and soliciting contri- 

 butions of fruit to be sent to the Society's Hall, to be foi'warded 

 thence to the Centenuial Exposition and displayed at the expense 

 of the Societ}'. Copies of this circular were sent freely to every 

 Agricultural and Horticultural Society and Farmers' Club through- 

 out the State, and also to Agricultural and Horticultural Journals 

 and individuals interested in fruit growing. The response to this 

 circular was not equal to the hopes of the Committee, but a single 

 Society — the influential and active Worcester County Horticultural 

 Society — and a few individuals outside of the regular contributors 

 to our own exhibitions, taking part in the Exposition. As soon 

 as the possibility of this result was foreseen, increased exertions 

 were made to secure contributions from those who could be reached 

 b}' personal application, and the display finally made was agreed by 

 all, especially when the predominance of the manufacturing and 

 commercial interests are taken into consideration, to be highly 

 creditable to the State. The number of dishes of pears exhibited 

 was 863, apples 214, grapes 18, making a total of 1095 dishes — a 

 much larger number than were shown at our own Annual Exhibition. 

 The Committee were surprised to find the number of dishes of 

 pears from Massachusetts greater than from all the other States 

 together, aflfording new proof that no part of our country is more 

 faA^orable for the growth of this fruit than Eastern Massachusetts. 



The Committee congratulate the Society and the State on the 

 commendable exhibit the}^ made in the great Exposition, sliowing 

 the ver}- deep interest felt in Pomology, and particularly in the 

 growth of the pear. Undoubtedly the show of apples would have 



