132 



Dr. Brinckle's Slravherries sent to the Queen. 



Vol. X. 



report, express themselves gratified to ob- 

 serve the increased excellence of the dis-i 

 play in this respect over any previous year, 1 



The butter presented on the occasion was 

 of a superior quality. The remarks of the 

 Judges in reference to firkin or preserved 

 butter, are worthy of the consideration of 

 the Society. The capons and the fowls 

 were very creditable to their breeders. 



Of agricultural implements there was 

 quite a variety, and the display was highly 

 creditable, showing a steady improvement 

 in the varied machinery designed for agri- 

 cultural purposes, and that much attention 

 is being directed by our mechanics, towards 

 the perfection of the various machines re- 

 quired in farm labour. 



Of produce there was not a large display, 

 but what was exhibited attracted much at- 

 tention, and was of a superior quality. 



Of ploughs there were presented perhaps 

 more than the usual number, and the plough- 

 ing match, at which their various merits 

 were tested, was not only quite a spirited 

 contest, but was attended by a very large 

 concourse of spectators, who appeared to 

 take a lively interest in the scene. Ten 

 competitors entered for the prizes. The 

 work was admirably done throughout, and 

 the several ploughs had every opportunity 

 afforded them to have their merits fully and 

 feirly tested. 



The committee beg leave to refer to the 

 annexed statement of the premiums awarded 

 and the reports of the several committees of 

 Judges. The Society have every reason to 

 be encouraged to prosecute their labours and 

 to continue their Annual Exhibition. The 

 specimens exhibited being the offerings of 

 the farmers of this vicinity, presented with 

 out solicitation, and the large concourse of 

 visitors who attended the Show, are convin-| 

 cing proofs that the community, and the 

 farmers more particularly, feel a deep inte- 

 rest in these exhibitions, and no exertion 

 should be spared by the members to make 

 them hereafter, in all respects, worthy of the 

 Society. 



Upon the second day of the Exhibition an 

 able Address was delivered by Dr. McClel- 

 lan, which was attended by a large con- 

 course of persons, mostly farmers. His 

 subject was Chemistry as applicable to Ag- 

 riculture; and his remarks were listened to 

 with lively interest. 



After the Address the company sat down 

 to a capital dinner prepared by Mr. Thompson, 

 at which were present several distinguished 

 invited guests. Some spirited toasts were 

 drank, and excellent speeches delivered in 

 reply, and the Exhibition closed without the 



occurrence of a single circumstance to mar 

 the pleasure enjoyed upon the occasion. 

 All of which is respectfully submitted. 

 K. Smith, Chairman, 

 Aaron Clement, Rec. Secretary. 



Philadelphia, Nov, 5th, 184-5. 



Dr. Brinckle's Strawberries sent to the 

 Queen. 



We called, by invitation, on Colonel How- 

 ard Vyse, to lunch at two o'clock ; this gen- 

 tleman has employed his large fortune, and 

 made himself eminent by extensive explor- 

 ations of the Egyptian Pyramids; his quarto 

 volumes on the subject have reached you ; 

 they were much quoted from by Mr. Gl id- 

 don, the lecturer on Egypt. Colonel Vyse 

 occupies a large, ancient family-mansion, 

 where comfort, rather than show', presides; 

 he is an enthusiastic gardener; keeps in 

 his employ thirteen educated Jiorticulturists, 

 and has altogether one of the most success- 

 ful fruit gardens on the island : pine-apples, 

 grapes, huge strawberries, cherries, apricots, 

 &-C., seem to grow spontaneously, and in the 

 greatest abundance. His walls for fruits are 

 very extensive. We found the Colonel in 

 his comfortable study, where he explained 

 his extensive plans, views of the pyramids, 

 and his operations, at instructive length. 

 Colonel Vyse has experienced a slight para-" 

 lytic attack; he is also still suffering from 

 family bereavements, the loss of his wife, 

 and the drowning of a littlfe son in his own 

 beautiful lake. A promenade around his 

 grounds and great extent of walls for fruit, 

 brought us to the pinery, where pine-apples 

 in surprising numbers were successfully cul- 

 tivated. This fruit will be found on the 

 tables of most gentlemen of a certain for- 

 tune, along with melons, and a variety of 

 forced productions, especially grapes; the 

 latter are decidedly better for being raised 

 under glass. I procured here some fine 

 cones of the Cedar of Lebanon, for your 

 Philadelphia gardeners. 



Afler lunch, we went to visit the Queen's 

 new kitchen-garden, near Frogmore ; Mr. 

 Jesse's station admitted us where strangers 

 cannot otherwise penetrate. One hundred 

 and sixty thousand dollars have lately been 

 expended on this new garden for royalty; 

 the forcing-houses are extensive; the glasses 

 move by machinery like watch or clock- 

 work. We paced the superb graperies, 

 pineries, peach and nectarine forcing-houses, 

 and tasted fine specimens of the Queen's 

 fruits; the Chasselas grapes and Prince Al- 

 bert strawberries, were certainly never ex- 

 ceeded for excellence. 



On my observing that Dr. Brinckle, of 



