30 I Assembly 



ductions, it enables the public to inspect them more closely with 

 less labor and time, matters of no small moment to those who 

 come to seek knowledge. While some visit our Fairs from mo- 

 tives of idle curiosity, or merely to gratify the sight, there are 

 others who come from objects of a much higher order; and it be- 

 comes our duty to extend to these latter every facility in our 

 power. Each Fair constitutes a school, in which much may be 

 learned. 



The Horticultural show was in a high degree satisfactory. The 

 remark was frequently heard, that it was the most beautiful part 

 of the Fair ; quite a matter-of-fact statement, to be sure, in itself 

 considered, but of peculiar significance when we take into con- 

 sideration the standard of taste that prevails. I hail it as a har- 

 binger of a better time coming. 



A large show like this, embracing productions from such va- 

 rious localities, affords peculiar facilities for collecting interesting 

 and useful information ; and tlie opportunity was not allowed to 

 pass unimproved. On many subjects I collected much that was 

 useful, which, if incorporated in this report, would doubtless 

 give it some degree of interest, though it would make it one of 

 great length ; but I am convinced that this information will 

 prove much more useful to those for whom it is intended, if put 

 in the form of monographs, and for that purpose it is kept. It 

 will therefore only be necessary for me here to give some general 

 idea of the character and extent of the Horticultural exhibi- 

 tion. 



The show of flowers, though very fine, was not quite equal to 

 some former exhibitions, at least after the second week. An 

 early frost cut off the supply in some considerable measure, and 

 thus robbed the Horticultural room of some of its greatest charms. 

 Our Fairs are held so late in the season, that an occurrence like 

 this must be looked for as a matter of course, and we must con- 

 sider ourselves fortunate when we escape. There is another se- 

 rious drawback connected with our Fairs, at least so far as con- 

 cerns this department : the great length of time during which 

 they are kept open. No person unacquainted with the nature 



