1911-12] REPORT OF JUDGES 33 



owing to climatic conditions over which man has not as yet 

 obtained full control. There have been individual exhibits of 

 marked excellence but as a rule they have fallen below the 

 average; this has been due mainly to the extremely dry season 

 though other conditions have contributed to the result. In 

 one case a heavy shower that struck a small section did even 

 more damage than the drouth. In another small section a 

 hail storm did much damage, while in many of the small gardens 

 the cut worm destroyed all the earliest crop. 



The yield of nearly all crops has been far below normal and 

 as a result the price to the consumer has been high thus adding 

 to the ''high cost of living," a condition no politician can 

 eliminate regardless of pre-election promises. 



Squashes and melons did unusually well. The exhibition of 

 squashes Sept. 28th was very fine, and the potatoes were very 

 creditable though not as fine as in some seasons. The exhibit 

 of melons Sept. 14th was the best ever seen in this hall. The 

 collections of vegetables Sept. 21st was of great excellence, 

 being the most attractive exhibition of the season, several new 

 exhibitors competing and making a very creditable exhibit. 



Celery has suffered more perhaps than any other crop. 

 Germination was very poor, and the weather so dry and hot 

 at the time of transplanting it was to save the plants and get 

 them growing and after that was accomplished the blight struck 

 a great many fields and in several cases in this vicinity the crop 

 is a total failure. Owing to the unfavorable conditions the seed 

 of some varieties is very scarce and is held at almost prohibitive 

 prices. With peas selling from ten to sixteen dollars per bushel 

 and Golden Celery seed from fourteen to twenty dollars per 

 lb. the prospect is not very bright for extensive acreage next 

 season. 



The season of 1911 will be remembered as one of the most 

 difficult in which to attain satisfactory results, and has fur- 

 nished ample cause for study as to the best methods to pursue 

 to overcome adverse natural conditions. 



The children's exhibitions attracted the usual interest and 

 reflected much credit on the youthful gardeners. 



CHARLES GREENWOOD, Judge. 



