18 



and specimens of the exhibitors were in different parts of the build- 

 ing, thus subjecting the committee to considerable extra trouble, 

 both in finding the different exhil)its and in reaching the decision 

 finally attained. It is hoped that this difficulty will be avoided in the 

 future by affording to this class sufficient space to make a worth}' 

 display of the exhibits which may be offered. If the increase of 

 these displays should be as great jn another year as in this, the 

 society will need to enlarge very considerably the accommodations 

 for this whole class. It is worthy of more attention on the part of 

 the society and with such fostering aid as the society can render, it 

 will naturally become one of the most attractive features of the 

 Fair. 



The examination of the dift'ereut exhibits was a source of much 

 pleasure to the members of the committee and it became a matter of 

 much curious interest to know just how each would vote when the 

 examination was closed. No words were spoken to bias the judge- 

 ment of an}'. The examinations were made in comparative silence, 

 notes were taken by each in private, and then the results were com- 

 pared. It was really interesting and became somewhat exciting as 

 one decision after another was reached, to find that each one had 

 reached precisely the same result. The whole list was gone over with 

 an entirely unanimous verdict, except in one individual instance. 

 The society had offered eighteen jjremiums. There were entered for 

 competition but one exhibit of roses and one of dahlias. To these 

 the rules of the Society restricted the committee to awarding only the 

 second premium. It would seem that the number of exhibitors in 

 this class should be greatly increased. The records for three years 

 show that the same persons have been nearly the only exhibitors and 

 consequently the only ones obtaining prizes. 



As an inducement to the ladies of the society it may be .stated that 

 in 1882 only four persons carried off all the prizes, and in 1883 only 

 three took all the prizes and the same Ihree who took all but one in 1882. 

 In 1884 these same three take all the prizes l)ut three. True they 

 deserved them, but it does not speak well for the ladies of Hamp- 

 shire county to show so little interest in this department of the Fair. 

 There certainly are more ladies fond of these beautiful productions of 

 nature, and who devote much time and labor in their cultivation. It 

 would add to the interest of our annual gathering to see the ladies 

 more interested in making this department the most attractive feat- 

 ure in the whole exhibition. The means are at hand, are in many 



