REPOET 



COMMITTEE ON FLOWERS, 



FOR THE TEAR 1896. 



By J. WOODWARD MANNING, Chairman. 



The past season lias been remarkable in many respects : unusnal 

 weather conditions have prevailed, and as a consequence the 

 exhibits were affected to a greater or less extent. The result 

 was the retarding of many flowers in the early part of the 

 summer; while in late summer and early autumn continued 

 rains very seriously interfered with their perfection. On the 

 whole, however, the exhibits have been exceedingly satisfactory 

 throughout the year, and I believe that there has been a larger 

 number of exhibitors than heretofore. This has been partic- 

 ularly noticeable from having drawn very severely upon the 

 appropriation allowed the Committee for awarding gratuities in 

 accordance with the respective merits of the exhibits. Several 

 of the exhibitors have made interesting displays at most of 

 the Saturday and regular exhibitions. These displays have not 

 only been exceedingly creditable to the exhibitors, but have 

 greatly improved the general effect of the hall. The Committee 

 are, however, of the opinion that there has been more negligence 

 in the matter of naming exhibits that are shown for gratuities 

 alone than has been the case in the past, and they have made 

 recommendations to the Committee for Establishing Prizes which 

 it is hoped will obviate this difficulty in the future. 



Exhibitions for gratuities commenced on the 4th of January, 



