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receive from the trustees, another season, more encouragement 

 than has heretofore been so sparingly bestowed. They would 

 respectfully suggest to the trustees, the expediency of 

 establishing certain premiums to be awarded at the annual 

 exhibition, for the best display of vegetables ; also for that of 

 particular kinds, as of beets, squashes, or the like, and for the 

 introduction of any new variety or varieties, which, upon 

 trial, shall prove worthy of general cultivation." 



The result of their appeal for more encouragement in this 

 department was manifested in 1853 by $30 being offered in 

 gratuities, causing a great increase in the number of exhibitors. 

 It was not, however, until 1855, that the above suggestions 

 were adopted in part, by the Trustees, when they offered three 

 premiums, 110, $8 and |6 for the three best general collec- 

 tions, with $30 more for gratuities. Henry Wheatland, whose 

 suggestions had brought it about, being again chairman of the 

 Committee, whose report is an able and interesting one. The 

 exhibitors increased from 68 the previous year to 98 in 1855, 

 showing that a premium list increased the interest in this 

 department nearly 50 per cent. 



In 1868 the number of premiums for collections, were 

 increased to four, amounting to $36, with $46.60 awarded in 

 gratuities. Allen W. Dodge, the chairman of committee of 

 that year stating that " it was the largest and best ever 

 exhibited." The best collection of that year had over one 

 hundred varieties. We find in his report, our own thoughts 

 better expressed, and we quote them as suited to the exhibition 

 of the present year, although the inducements are greater for 

 exhibitors now than then. Speaking of the growing interest in 

 this department, the report says, " This interest has been 

 manifested not only by those who have visited the halls of 

 exhibition, but by the cultivators, who have with commendable 

 pride and public spirit, and at considerable cost, often far 

 greater than the amount they have received in premiums, sent 

 in their choicest products. Some have taken great pains to 

 exhibit a few vegetables or even specimens of a single variety. 



