No. 244.] 27 



Former conventions have repeatedly called attention to the fare- 

 well advice of Washington in relation to a home department for ag- 

 riculture, which, it is believed, has had the effect of awakening pub- 

 lic feeling, and induced steps to be taken by the appropriate com- 

 mittee in Congress, to establish the long wished -for department, so 

 repeatedly and earnestly sought for by this Institute. 



For a number of years the Institute has been zealously engaged in 

 collecting and distributing grafts of choice fruit, especially of new 

 and valuable seedlings; in view of this and the favorable position of 

 our city, and the vast collection of people from all parts of the coun- 

 try, a number of leading societies and horticulturists in this and other 

 states have recommended that a convention of fruit growers be held 

 during the coming fair. Thinking a compliance with these wishes 

 may be productive of great public good, the managers have fixed on 

 Tuesday, the 10th day of October, at 11 o'clock, as the day for hold- 

 ing this convention, and invite the horticultural societies and kindred 

 associations, in all parts of the United States, to send delegates with 

 the best fruit grown in th.eir vicinity, particularly all new and valua- 

 ble seedlings, carefully packed and labelled, so as to present them in 

 perfect condition. A special circular on this subject from the socie- 

 ties will be issued in a few days, to which reference is made. 



The managers have determined to spare no trouble or expense in 

 providing suitable places for their exhibitions; they have procured for 

 their general display of the productions of agriculture and horticul- 

 ture, manufactures and the arts, the spacious building known as Cas- 

 tle Garden, affording one great room 600 feet in circumference, and 

 60 feet high, perfectly secured against storms ; and for the purpose of 

 giving greater accommodation, the operating machinery, which has 

 heretofore occupied a part of this room, will be placed in a building 

 adjoining erected for the purpose, 150 feet long and 25 feet wide. 

 The interior of the Garden having undergone improvements since the 

 last Fair, gives additional room, and adds to the conveniences. The 

 bridge, containing 6,540 square feet, will be covered with a tight roof, 

 and will be devoted to carriages, sleighs, wagons, agricultural machi- 

 nery, hydraulic apparatus, &c. 



For the Cattle Show, the new establishment called the Washino-ton 

 Drove Yard, has been secured, situated in 4.4th-st. bety^een 4th and 

 5th Avenues, containing about 30 acres of land, 3 of which are cov- 



