102 [Assembly 



able quality. I must here state that some dissatisfaction lias 

 been expressed at our mode of awarding premiums for flour, and 

 it seems to me, on reflection, with some show of justice. For 

 example, we offer a cup for the best barrel of flour. A single 

 barrel is prepared with unusual care, and repeatedly bolted, 

 making it too expensive to offer for sale in the market. I doubt 

 whether it would pay to sell it for less than $15 or $20 a barrel. 

 Now what the public want to know is, not how fine flour can b» 

 made by a series of expensive manipulations, but who sends the 

 best brand to market ; and the only way to ascertain this is to 

 offer a premium for the best barrel of flour, which shall be a fair 

 sample of that usually sent to market. I ought here to state, that 

 this subject has occupied the attention of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture, but we have not yet succeeded in meeting the difficulties 

 of the case. I think I can safely add, that in the course of an- 

 other year all cause of complaint will be entirely removed. 

 There was also an unusually large display of Farina and Prepared 

 Flour ^ the latter of which we had no means at the time of exam- 

 ining; but I have since had opportunity of having it tested, and 

 it was found to be a superior article, and well adapted to its 

 purpose. 



Of Vegetables we had a very fine display ; in some particulars 

 even better than that of last year. Among the numerous sam- 

 ples of Potatoes, there were several lots of fine seedlings, one ex- 

 hibiter having presented some half dozen samples, nearly all of 

 which were of superior quality. The potato rot has had the ef- 

 fect of turning attention to the raising of seedlings, from which 

 some good results may be expected to follow. Of Cabbages, Beets, 

 Carrots, Turnips, Onions, Cc/ery, and other vegetables of the season, 

 the display was uncommonly good, and reflected much credit on 

 the exhibiters. The show of Cattle Roots was particularly fine. 

 Their importance is getting to be pretty well understood, and 

 their culture will increase with the spread of agricultural know- 

 ledge. I noticed this year a greater number of large exhibiters 

 than has been usual with us, which no doubt was owing in great 

 measure to a new feature in our premium list, presenting a larger 

 field for competition. 



