290 New Yoek at the Woeld's Columbian Exposition. 



organized society in the State that made any attempt to assist in the 

 work. As an organization it urged on its members the necessity of 

 taking an active part in sending exliibits to the fair. As a result they 

 contributed many of the finest exhibits in tlie department. They also 

 had the honor of rendering it possible to say tliat New York made the 

 only constant display of cut flowers at tlie exposition. The magniiicent 

 showing of cut flowers made on both New York State and Manhattan 

 days were a great feature on those festive occasions. For the latter 

 day a special car was hired for the purpose of conveying the 200 large 

 boxes, containing many thousands of fchoice blooms, to the fair, where 

 they were exhibited in Horticultural Hall. In the evening they were 

 taken to the State building, and given as souvenirs to visitors. It has 

 been freely and generally acknowledged that New York State did the 

 most at the exposition to uphold the standard of American floriculture. 

 Scarcely a week passed without its ojBfering some sjaecial feature in 

 floral display. In May the State exhibited thousands of lilies, orchids 

 and fine specimen azalea indica. In June it showed countless roses, 



floxinias, rhododendrons, hardy azaleas and other flowering shrubs ; in 

 uly, iris, cannas, hollyhocks, tuberous rooted begonias, and countless 

 varieties of herbaceous and annual flowering plants ; in August, 

 aquatic flowers, lily-of-the-valley, roses, cannas, begonias and bedding 

 plants ; in September, gladiola, lilies, cannas, rare exotic flowers, and 

 autumnal flowering shrubs; and in October, roses, chrysanthemums, 

 carnations and a general collection of exotic flowers. I)uring many 

 of these months New York's displays were the only ones of their kind 

 at the fair. 



The State floricultural exhibits . covered an area of six and three- 

 fourths acres. These were divided among four groups, which repre- 

 sented thirty-nine classes. Tlie State made very creditable entries in 

 twenty-six of these classes, winning awards in them all. New York 

 took in all eighty-two medals and diplomas, this being almost as many, 

 as were awarded to the rest of the United States in the same classes. 



_ Theofiicial grouping and classiflcation, showing the number of awards 

 given in each class, will be found in detail elsewliere. 



