141 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FIG EXAMINATION. 



Mr. W. W. Smith, of the committee appointed to report and examine on 

 the fig, presented the following report: 



We would say, in making our report on the figs, that we examined the specimens of the 

 three varieties very carefully by putting each under the test of the microscope, by tasting 

 them, and by tearing the skin apart and examining thoroughly the seeds, and we agreed 

 to report as' follows: Taking 100 as a standard of excellence^ we give the fig grown at 

 Penryn by Mr. Parker 100; the White Adriatic 75, and the imported Smyrna 50. We make 

 the White Adriatic 75 because it was superior in flavor to the imported Smyrna, although 

 the skin was thicker. That is about all the report we make. We think there should be 

 another committee appointed to investigate further, as all we could do was to reach this 

 conclusion from the three specimens of fruit before us. 



Mr. Johnston: I move that the report be accepted, and the committee 

 continued in office until they shall be able to make a final report. 

 Carried. 



Here a recess was taken until the following morning at nine o'clock. 



THE BANQUET. 



During the meeting in the afternoon, every visitor was supplied with 

 tickets for the banquet to be held in the evening. 



Plates were laid on five long tables the length of the hall, and seats 

 enough provided for one thousand people. The visitors were taken in car- 

 riages to the main entrance and were escorted into the hall by many ladies 

 and gentlemen of the various committees of citizens of that place. At the 

 head of the hall a table was especially provided for those who were to respond 

 to toasts. After the eating programme was finished, President E. T. Rey- 

 nolds called the members to order, and in a neat speech, in his very witty 

 way, on many of the visitors names, announced the first toast of the even- 

 ing, " Our Guests," by Major T. H. Batchelder, who spoke in a very 

 hearty vein. The next toast was that by Hon. S. J. Stabler, of Yuba 

 City, ' Fruit Growers' Conventions and Their Utility." The Judge re- 

 sponded, in an earnest, practical manner, and was much applauded. 

 General M. G. Vallejo, of Sonoma, was next called to respond to the toast, 

 " Our Glorious Golden State," which was the signal for a perfect uproar 

 and applause. At the conclusion the General was literally pelted with 

 bouquets, and a laurel wreath hung around his neck. The General 

 proposed three cheers to California, Governor Waterman, and General 

 Bid well of Chico, which were responded to with a will, and followed by 

 the same compliment to the General. The Chairman then introduced 

 General N. P. Chipman, of Red Bluff, who responded to the toast, " The 

 Press." "Horticulture and its Progress" was set opposite the name of 

 President Ellwood Cooper, but he being unable to be present, Colonel 

 L. F. Moulton, of Colusa, responded to the above toast in a pleasing 

 manner, and was most heartily applauded. To Hon. William Johnston 

 fell the toast "The Ladies," and indeed it was most gallantly done 

 by the Senator. Mr. A. T. Hatch was next called to respond to the 

 toast, "State and County Boards of Trade." His arguments were most 

 interesting and enlightening as to the work of these Boards. Rev. T. H. 

 Woodward, of Chico, then responded, with many witty remarks, in a five- 

 minutes speech on "Chico and its Surroundings." " The Bar," announced 

 the toast-master, and Hon. W. H. Aiken, of Wrights, from the beginning 

 to the close of his remarks, kept those around the table in one continuous 

 roar of merriment and applause. The gentleman's fun in describing many 

 incidents, especially one referring to Colonel Moulton, of Colusa, seemed 



