47 



Although plants under cultivation wiU naturally and properly 

 constitute the gi'eater part of the collection for our Fairs, yet it was 

 pleasant to see such a display of wild flowers. Earlier in the season, 

 a much finer exhibition of these could be made ; but at any time 

 from May till November, there are more beautiful wild flowers than 

 most people imagine, and some of them will not sufi'er in compar- 

 ison with any under cultivation. Youi* committee were gratified to 

 notice that forest and field had been searched to furnish a floral 

 offering. S. T. Maynard, of the Agricultural College, exhibited 125 

 species of wild plants, the greater part of which were in bloom ; and 

 George Mackie, of the same college, exhibited 75 species. 



Your committee are of the opinion that, with little effort, a much 

 greater variety, and more creditable collection of Dahlias might have 

 been exhibited. Those on exhibition were very choice, but the 

 number was small. 



. They recommend that a pi-emium be offered for the best display of 

 the Gladiolus. This is done, and with good reason, in other places 

 as it is among the most beautiful flowers. There was a pretty boquet 

 made up chiefly of this rich and showy blossom, by Mrs. H. A. 

 Marsh of Amherst, to which your committee would gladly have 

 awarded a premium, had it been in their power. 



They also express the hope that a larger number in after years, 

 wiU compete for the premiums in the floral department, and that 

 they will be prepared to do so by the more extensive and careful 

 culture of flowers. Among the lavish gifts of Providence, we have 

 none more beautiful than these. They siiggest thoughts of inno- 

 cence, purity and loveliness. One of the most j)leasing and signifi- 

 cant descriptions of the character of the blessed Redeemer is found 

 in these words : " I am the Eose of Sharon, and the Lily of the 

 Yalleys." 



The wide distribution and almost endless diversity of flowers, are 

 of the divine arrangement and Mildness, and furnish a field for 

 perpetual study and admiration. They accommodate themselves to 

 every soil, situation and climate. They reheve the loneliness of the 

 burning desert ; they crowd up to the region of eternal snow and 

 ice ; they make glad " the wilderness and the solitary place ; " they 

 adorn the valleys and the mountains, the pastures and the forests. 

 They smile alike upon the rich and the poor, the well and the sick, 

 the haj)py and the miserable. 



They were made chiefly for our rjraiification ; for it cannot be 



