88 [Assembly 



water of the running streams, in both its dense and rarer forms, lends 

 its mighty force for the propulsion of ingenious and complicated ma- 

 chinery, by which is manufactured myriads of articles for the comfort 

 and use of man : whatever is useful, whatever is ornamental, what- 

 ever is beautiful, may here be seen in a progressive stage of improve- 

 ment, and the busy hum of life and activity falls pleasingly on the 

 ear. This is not altogether metaphor. 



[n accordance with what is here shadowed forth, I noticed with 

 pleasure, during the last Fair, a marked decrease of those mere trifles 

 which heretofore have seemed to me like so many excrescences. I 

 apprehend that there was not only a larger number of articles on ex- 

 hibition than on former occasions, but also more, of intrinsic value 

 and real utility j more that were new and important ; more marked 

 and decided improvements in machinery, in agricultural implements, 

 and other articles ; and/eirer of those mere gewgaws and catch-traps, 

 which have always struck me as being unworthy of a place in a great 

 exhibition of the products of American ingenuity and skill. In these 

 respects, the Twenty-second Annual Fair must be considered the 

 most commendable that has yet been held, and presents, as before 

 remarked, many causes for congratulation ; and I here take occasion 

 to pay a well-merited compliment to the Board of Managers, whose 

 able and judicious management contributed very materially to bring 

 about this most desirable result. So much for the Fair as a whole. 



I shall now offer some remarks on the Horticultural Department, 

 the more immediate object of this Report. Where so many things pre- 

 sent themselves, and all with nearly equal claims to notice, it is diffi- 

 cult to decide where or how to begin, or to observe such an order as 

 will bring this Report within reasonable limits. 



In regard to surface covered, tliis was certainly the largest Horti- 

 cultural exhibition ever got up under the auspices of the American In- 

 stitute ; and in respect to quality, I claim for many articles a decided 

 advantage over any similar articles that have ever been exhibited here 

 before. This is strong language ; but I understand perfectly well the 

 meaning of what I utter, and in the above case I use every word in 

 its strongest and broadest sense. As respects the general disposition 



