REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FRUITS 

 FOR THE YEAR 1916. 



By Edward B. Wilder, Chairman. 



The peculiar atmospheric conditions had a very serious effect 

 upon the fruit crop during the year. The heavy rains of the Spring 

 and continued moisture prevented the fohage from thoroughly 

 drying off and rendered spraying far less effective than usual. 



The sooty fungus on the apples, a result of these conditions, has 

 been very bad, much worse than for years. The lateness of the 

 season caused the postponement of the Rose and Strawberry 

 Exhibition to July 1st and the extension of the Fruit Schedule in 

 the Sweet Pea Exhibition to July 15th. 



Nevertheless, we had a good display of fruit at the Strawberry 

 Exhibition consisting of seventy-five dishes of strawberries and 

 twelve of cherries. The new arrangement of the berries on plates 

 with their own foliage has been a great success and should be 

 continued and improved. 



It was encouraging to see more entries in the classes for foreign 

 grapes, exhibits being made at the Gladiolus, Dahlia and Fruit, 

 and Grand Autumn Exhibitions. 



The October Show was very good when we consider the fact that 

 many of the chief features had been transferred this year to the 

 November Exhibition. Apples, pears, grapes, and other fruit 

 occupied a large part of the main hall and the increase in the display 

 of pears, and the fine collections of grapes were very encouraging. 



The display of fruit at the Grand Autumn Exhibition, November 

 1-5, was by far the finest of the year and was without doubt the 

 chief feature of the exhibition and the most attractive exhibit in 

 recent years. 



The tables of apples "arranged for decorative effect" in the small 

 hall were greatly appreciated by the public, as were the very fine 

 groups and single dishes of apples. 



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