REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN'S 

 GARDENS. 



By Henry Saxton Adams, Chairman. 



The annual exhibition of the products of children's gardens was 

 held at Horticultural Hall on Saturday' and Sunday, September 2nd 

 and 3rd. The appropriations for prizes were the same as the previ- 

 ous year, namely, $300.00, of which amount $200.00 was given by 

 the State for the encouragement of agriculture among the children. 



It has been interesting to watch the growth and development of 

 the interest of children in gardening as shown in our exhibitions. 

 The 1916 exhibition was the most successful ever held by the 

 Society. Not only were there more exhibits but the quality has 

 steadily improved until it now requires expert judging to properly 

 award the prizes and your committee feels embarrassed at times 

 in attempting it. 



Most of our exliibits come from three types of gardens — city, 

 suburban, and country. We have those who grow flowers and 

 vegetables under the most trying conditions in the heart of the 

 city and it is always surprising to see what success they have. 

 These little gardeners we feel are deserving of great credit and 

 encouragement. The other two classes represent products brought 

 from suburban or country gardens, grown under favorable condi- 

 tions and in many cases expert advice, and resulting in exhibits 

 which have been grown and selected to compete with the best 

 flowers and vegetables to be found in any show in the country. 

 Truly our exhibitions are well worth continuing and are bringing 

 forth wonderful results. 



In comparing this exhibition with previous ones it is interesting to 

 note that in 1912 there were 108 prizes as against 210 in 1916; 

 the growth being so great as to make it difficult for your committee 

 to make the awards in the limited time at its disposal. A word of 

 appreciation should here be given to Mr. James Wheeler whose 



