1892.] FIFTIETH ANNrVEKSARY. 47 



collections of best five or ten, would place his best specimens on 

 the single entry or small collection list, so that the large collec- 

 tions were merely an aggregation of so naany varieties of fruit or 

 vegetables as the case might be, for the most part without indi- 

 vidual merit. Moreover, it is apparent that in large collections, 

 especially of fruit, but a very small proportion of the different 

 varieties could be seen at their prime — covering as they must the 

 seasons of late summer, early fall, late fall and winter. And it is 

 also apparent that in the best of such large collections there must 

 be many really worthless varieties. For no well-recognized 

 pomologist of to-day would dare to risk his reputation, by un- 

 dertaking to name 100 varieties worthy of cultivation by either 

 the general grower or the amateur. In truth, the real benefit 

 arising from the large collection policy was in revealing how 

 few really good pears there are, how few really good apples, and 

 how few varieties of any form of fruit whicli are really worthy 

 of notice. 



D. Waldo Lincoln began to be of that opinion in 1859, when 

 in his annual address as President of the Society, he said : 

 "Three years ago ray orchard contained upwards of two hun- 

 dred varieties. One hundred of them have since that time been 

 swept off my grounds, leaving fifty more to follow as soon as the 

 process of re-grafting can be conveniently accomplished. Below 

 this number I do not deem it expedient in a large collection to 

 fall and beyond it no one can go with any hope of an adequate 

 return." 



Premiums for collections continued to be awarded until about 

 1874, although the system was modified somewhat. The largest 

 collection of pears being limited to 20, and of apples to not less 

 than 25 nor more than 35. 



In 1872, tlie Secretary of the Society denounced the classifica- 

 tion system as meaningless and unprofitable, and urged its aboli- 

 tion. He continued his missionary work in this direction in 

 subsequent reports until three or four years later the system was 

 finally abandoned and premiums were offered thereafter for single 

 varieties only. 



It was at about this date also that improvements were made in 

 the appliances used for exhibition. Stands for the floral displays 



