THE GENESEE FARMEIC 





JgnrtimlturEl DEpartmetrt, 



CONDUCTED BY P. BAREY. 



HORTICULTURAL DEPARTMENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR. 



The floral tent was much less brilliant than usual, owing to the want of interior decora- 

 tions, and very small and few contributions of flowers and flowering plants. The culti- 

 vators of Western New York, who usually make rich displays of flowers on such occa- 

 sions, could do comparatively nothing in consequence of the severe drouth that prevailed 

 previous to the Fair, and swarms of grass-hoppers that consumed almost everything 

 that the drouth spared. 



We noticed but two small collections of dahlias — one from Edward M. Van Alstyn, 

 of Greenbush, and the other from Wm. Newcomb, of Pittstown. Both were good ; but, 

 if we are not mistaken, those of Mr. Van Alstyn were not named, and lost much of 

 their value in consequence. Mr. Newcomb also made a fine display of verbenas and 

 seedling phloxes. 



Mrs. S. E. Smith, of Mechanicsville, presented a design worked with China asters. 



Jas. WiXSON, of Albany, two charming hand boquets. 



Messrs. A. Frost & Co., of Rochester, two cases of verbenas, oi»o of asters, and one 

 of roses and dahlias. 



Messrs. Thorp, Smith, Hanchett, & Co., of Syracuse, a large collection of pot plants. 



Ellwanger <fe Barry, of Rochester, a collection of phloxes, verbenas, roses, petunias, 

 &c., besides green-house plants and rare evergreen trees in pots. 



Tasteful ornaments of various designs, moss baskets, beautiful boquets, &c., were con- 

 tributed by Messrs. H. W. Rockwell, Jas. Van Namee, Silas D. Childs, and others,, 

 of Utica; Mrs. Dudgen, of New Hartford; Mrs. Bullard, and others. Most of the 

 designs presented as floral ornaments were really chaste and pretty ; but some of them, 

 >ve are compelled to say, were shapeless monstrosities, at which all true taste must revolt ; 

 and we beg those who have mistakenly devoted so much labor to them, to expend it in 

 future on objects that will do both themselves and the exhibition more credit. 



The fruit department was well sustained. Indeed, we are inclined to think that, 

 notwithstanding the earliness of the season, it was on the whole the most creditable 

 branch of the entire show — the poultry and stove departments not excepted. The State 

 was represented, by greater or smaller contributions, almost from one end to the other. 

 Peaches were less abundant than usual, but pears so much better as to fully compensate 

 for any such deficiencies. Apples and plums were also abundant and fine. 



Among amateur cultivators we have to place Mr. Vail, of Troy, at the head, as hav- 

 ing the finest collection of fruits on exhibition ; the varieties were select and fine, and 

 the specimens really superb. His Doyenne Boussock pears and Jefferson plums attracted 

 general attention, as did all his varieties. 



P. Brentnall, Esq., of Utica, exhibited twelve varieties of choice pears, in a very 

 tasteful manner. We noted this as an excellent contribution. 



Gen. Lewis Eaton and Prof. W. R. Coppock, of Buffalo, each presented a number 

 of choice varieties. 



Messrs. N. Hayward & Son, of Brighton, presented a very large and fine collection 

 of apples — probably the best that any farmers in the State could show. 



The nurserymen turned out in great numbers and strength. Messrs. C. Reagles <t 

 Son, of Schenectady, presented a fine collection of some thirty varieties, or more, of plums. 



