222 Transactions op the American Institute. 



suggestions about premiums. 



Mr. E. Williams, Moutclair, N. J., communicates some sensible 

 suggestions in the following letter, which judges of fruit should 

 ponder. He writes: 



♦' Being practically engaged, as the old adage has it, in ' making 

 hay while the sun shines,' prevents my being with you to-day at 

 the meeting of the Club in person; but my spirit has been with you, 5 

 and now culminates in a few thoughts on strawberries, suggested ' 

 by an empty dish at my side, and the remark, ' the last of the sea- 

 son.' All who went with us to Hammonton certainly had visions 

 of strawberries, if they did not dream of them, and we have also 

 seen several amateur collections, besides taking a look at those 

 shown at our late exhibition, all of which tend to give us a little 

 idea of the extent of the experiments and efforts being made to 

 improve and perfect this delicious fruit. Nurserymen, fruit-grow- 

 ers, amateurs and professional men are all engaged in this pursuit, 

 each hoping to find, if not actually confident of having found the 

 ' philosopher's stone.' The liberal prize offered by Mr. Greeley 

 was very apropos just at this time, and will tend to bring out and 

 develop the success and progress already made. This is evident 

 from the number of competitors at the exhibition on the 26th iust. 

 But it is very evident, and I think you will agree with me, that the 

 exhibition tables are not the place or the time for a committee to 

 make an award of this nature. 



" They can readily and appropriately award a prize to the best 

 appearing or flavored variety, as shown; but the conditions on 

 which the prize is to be awarded are not to be had there. Neither 

 would it be practical for the committee to visit the grounds of such 

 as desire to compete, scattered as they are over so wide an extent 

 of country. The loss of time and expense involved by such a course 

 would be more than ought to be imposed on any committee; besides, 

 they could not see what ' extra pains,' ' special means,' ' specific fer- 

 tilizers ' or 'hocus-pocus' agencies had been resorted to, to produce 

 the desired results. Hence their decision, under such circumstances, 

 must be based on the testimony of others. But there is one way, 

 and but one to my view, by which the object sought can be gained, 

 and a just and fair award made, and that is for the committee to 

 grow and test the different varieties on their own grounds. By 

 this means they can make a thorough examination of all the various 

 points involved, and have ample time to do it; all of which is abso- 

 lutely necessary to do justice to all parties, and to benefit those 



