REPORT 



Of the committee on Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables, 

 and Agricultural and Dairy Productions. 



In presenting this report of the eighteenth annual fair of the Ame- 

 rican Institute, your chairman, in behalf of the agricultural hoard, 

 has just cause to congratulate his fellow-citizens on the steady ad- 

 vancement of American skill in the cultivation of the soil. The dis- 

 play of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, agricultural and dairy produc- 

 tions, has been such as to more than realize the vv^armest anticipations 

 of the friends of this national association. Indeed, to every mind 

 imbued with the spirit of patriotism, the contemplation of what has 

 BEEN DONE by tliis Institute for the interests of horticulture, espe- 

 cially within the last five years, must prompt the most ardent and sin- 

 cere wishes for a continuance of its prosperity. As a proof of the 

 unwearied zeal of its members in promoting the great and important 

 <)l''jccls designed by its originators, the following enumeration of pre- 

 miums is respectfully submitted by your chairman : 



Silver cups, 1 30 



Gold medals, 80 



Silver medals, 1 50 



Agricultural and horticultural books, 450 



Diplomas, 250 



The value of these testimonials of merit, according to the lowest 

 estimate, exceeds ihe sum of three thousand dollars. In addition to 

 the foregoing, seven thous;and dollars have been expended in the re- 

 ■quisite arrangements for an impartial and effective display of the 

 various productions forwarded by contributors. Does not this afford 

 convincing evidence of the liberal encouragement given by the Insti- 

 cute to the claims of agriculture and horticulture ? Nor js this all. 

 In the emphatic language of Professor Mapes, " Its services to the 

 agriculturists are freely admitted from Maine to Georgia." From the 



J Assembly, No. 2Q0.] 4 



