STATE POMOLOQICAL SOCIETY. 25 



In respect to native grapes, the exhibition was as far inferior as 

 was the production, in this State, to that of 1873. Foreign grapes 

 were shown in great abundance and excellent condition. Plums 

 were shown in considerable variety and of superior quality, but 

 not equalling the exceptionally fine exhibition in this department 

 at Bangor. I am hot fully advised whether the difference was 

 attributable to a less favorable season or to the location of the 

 exhibition. Of the miscellaneous articles embraced in the schedule 

 as being related to pomological and horticultural pursuits, there 

 was a varied and interesting display. Garden vegetables intro- 

 duced as a department of our exhibition this year for the first 

 time, were represented by numerous and very choice specimens, 

 mostly the product of Cumberland county. 



The exhibition of cut flowers, flowering and foliage plants, 

 shrubs, ferns, floral decorations, &c., exceeded in its extent, 

 variety and brilliancy, our most sanguine expectations, and far 

 surpassed any exhibition previously made in the State. It will 

 be seen by reference to the list of entries that in addition to the 

 numerous specimens and collections from the conservatories, gar- 

 dens and green-houses of Portland and its vicinity, there were 

 extensive collections from Bangor, Monroe, (Waldo county) and 

 Winthrop, and creditable exhibitions from other distant points. 

 Many elegant specimens were sent in for the decoration of the 

 K%11 and not put upon the entry books. 



In the centre of the hall was an elevated circular table covered 

 Trith potted plants, &c., from the extensive green-houses of J. A. 

 Dirwanger of Portland, and radiating from this in 'every direction 

 were other tables, half of whi^h w-ere filled exclusively with plants 

 and flowers, while on the others were about two thousand plates 

 of fruit — the collections from the several counties being arranged 

 separately. Still other tables around the sides of the hall were 

 devoted to vegetables, rustic work, miscellaneous articles, and 

 additional collections of fruits. The cut flowers, numbering not 

 far from two thousand bottles, were placed on elevated racks upon 

 the stage.* 



The arrangement of the fruit by counties, was not only con- 

 venient and instructive, by affording the means for comprehensive 



* Stereoscopio views, showing tho arrangement of the hall from five dififerent positions, 

 were very successfully taken by Messrs. Dupee & Co., Photographers of Portland, copies 

 of which were secured by many members as souvenirs of the exhibition, and a few copies 

 remain in the hands of the Secretary for disposal. 



