FRUITS. 423 



a marked advancement over that of last year. Indeed, the ev- 

 idence which our exhibitions furnish of the gradual improve- 

 ment, year by year, of fruit culture in this county, is the most 

 satisfactory feature attending them. 



The time of year selected for this agricultural anniversary 

 is not that in which flowers are to be found in their greatest 

 perfection. Their season is mainly over; they have most of 

 them already withered on their stems ; and they necessarily 

 become a less prominent feature of an autumnal than they would 

 be of a spring or of a summer exhibition. The display, how- 

 ever, of flowers yet in season was very creditable. There 

 were some rare and choice specimens of plants in pots from 

 gardens in this vicinity. Many beautiful varieties of the dahlia 

 — queen of our autumnal flowers — were exhibited ; while the 

 verbenas from the garden of John B. Burgess, who has been 

 quite successful in the production of new varieties of this deli- 

 cate little flower, are entitled to especial notice. 



But it would ill become us to assume too much ; for, however 

 well we may have done in the few years which have passed, 

 this is no time for resting on our laurels. There is a wide 

 field for improvement yet open before us ; and there must be no 

 relaxation in our endeavors. Other sections of the country 

 are advancing with at least an equal rapidity ; and earnest ef- 

 fort alone will prevent us from falling behind them in the race. 

 Let us be careful, then, to do our part in showing that it de- 

 pends more upon the industry and enterprise of the people 

 than upon the quality of the soil whether our fields shall be 

 neglected and covered with brambles, or at best be only half 

 tilled, or whether they shall be made to rival in productive- 

 ness the gardens and vineyards of the more highly-cultivated 

 portions of the older world. 



Thomas A. Greene, Chairman. 



