The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-14


Hammunton, as is pretty well known, but not
halt as well as 1t should be, is a village OF three
thousand inhabitants, situated on the Camden
and Atlantic Railroad, thirty miles east OF Phila-
delphia, 1t Is, par excellence, the great straw
berry district of the United States, its inhabi-
tants Claiming for, aud those familiar
WIN It's preteension IN this respect con-
cedng to, II the proud pre.eninence
of producing greater quantity OF fine small
fruits. and especially of Strawberries, than any
territory Of similar extent in the world. THIS
great ruit-producing region was, less than two
years ago, wilderness, as uninvitlng a territory
as Is to be found in any part OF New Jersey.
To-day 1t boasts population OF nearly four
thousand souls, capital invested in fruit Gull
tore amounting to more than million OF
dollars, and with decided tendency to increase
IN breadth OF territory set TO fruit as well as in
culinary vegetable culture.
But TO our eXcursionists, We left Vine street
wharf at haltpast o'clock yesterday morning,
party numbering some one hundred and fifty
in all, and allprovided with free passes, through
the courtesy of the managers OF the Camden
and Atlantic Railroad Company. The rain of
the previous evening had rendered the atmo
sphere bracing and pleasant, soIthat we were in
httfng mood for the enjoyment of the treat in
On our arrival at Hammonton we were es.
coIted to the Presbyterian Church. neat edl-
nee on Bellevue avenue, which had been kindly
placed at the disposal of the excursionists by
the congregation, A volunteer choir was soon
formed from the party, the organ lott taken pos
se sion of, and q number of fine pieces sang,
which were followed by several pleasant
speeches, after which the party adjourned to
Ellis Hall, TO partake of the handsome collation.
provided by Elwood Mattock of this city, who
irt m its incpency has been intimately Identified
with the interests of Hammonton. 1t is only due
to Mr. Matlock TO state that ample justice was
done to the superb strawberries, Delaware
county ice cream, and toothsome sandwiches,
etc., literally provided by him. AT least 500
| persons were entertained at this place; among
| them, some fifty members of the New York
| farmers Club, who visited Hammonton as a
committee to inspect the fruit crops, and award
the premiums to competitors at the exhibition
Carriages being provided, the excursionists
availed themselves of the opportunity thus
| afforded them of visiting different parts of the
village, all expressing the highest qualification
| al what they saw.
At l O'Clock the Strawberry Exhibition was
| opened in the NJ. e. Church, and it is safe to
assert that finer display of strawberries has
never been. made in this country and yet we
| were assured by one of the most prominent
| iruit-gToWers there, that but for the busy sea.
| son, it would have exceeded the present display
| fully tentold OF this there can be no reasona-
Governor Ward and his Secretary of State
! visited the exhibition in the course of the after
noon, and in brief speeches expressed their
| qualification at what they saw and heard. They
| were warmly received.
At three O'Clock the excursonists again assem-.
bled in the Presby terian Church, aud passed
| unanimously series OF resolutions expressive
OF the pleasure the visit had given them, and
| complimentary to the railroad company, the
fruit-growers. and the ladies.
A word in regard to the fruit display. ALI
rresent-and among them were some OF the most
prominent and skilful pomologists in the coun-
| try, united in pronounciLg 1t superior to any
thing they had ever seen; and so indeed, 1t
was. Hundreds of dishes OF the most extrava-
| gantly large berries were neatly arranged on
| the long tables, exciting the admiration of visi-
tors, and causing mountaineering on all sides.
Nearly all the prominent. market varieties
we're on exhibition, the Wilson's Albany pre-
dominating in quantity. The Philadelphia
Seeding was shown in greater perfection than
ever before, while Boydens Mammoth, Mr..
Evoy's Superior, Singers Seeding, the Agricul-
turist, and other superb varieties, abounded in
profusion.
AS a whole, the excursion was most pleasant
one. All appeared to enjoy themselves, and
were loud in their expressions of qualification.
Indeed, we never saw more surprised party.
Most of them started with the prevailing i'm
preston that they we're about to be permitted
to wade through acres of sand, and witness the
feeble growth of half-a-dozen or a dozen stra w
berry plants; instead of which they had fine
graded walks on which to promenade, and were
permitted to see strawberry plantations which,
for extent and productiveness, are unequalled.
FAIR FOR THE BENEFIT OF CAMDEN HOME FOR
FRIEEDLEss CHILDRFN.-Last evening the Sons
of Malta, to the number of seventy made q
donation of $100 through their Grand Master.
Elijah G. Cattell, ESQ.,, President OF the Home,
Gentlemen:-As presiding officer of the noble
institution for whose benefit this grand fair is
being held, on behalf of the managers thank
you; and for these dear little orphans under
our care, we tender 10 you our gratitude for
your muni6cent donation, and for your appear
ance among us tonight. We are pleased
when by this demonstration we find that your
order kindly remembers the orphans aid the
friendless, We assure you, gentlemen, that your
liberahty could not have been applied in more
pIaisewoIthy direction. We do not doubt but
that you will be amply repaid by the satisfac-
tion you will each derive in assisting to support
and educate these poor little children, who have
been deprived of their natural protectors. Your
actions tonight will not only swell the fund we
are trying to realize by our Festival, but,
have decidedly beneficial effect upon other
orders and societies., and will doubtless
induce them to follow in your care for
the orphans and the friendless. We also
thank you In behalf of the noble, selEsacr6cne
ladies God bless and reward them for their
efforts in behalf OF our institution! the getters.
up of such an extensive and pleasant entertain
ment. They deserve success, and it certainly
bids fair to equal their expectations. They have
the warmest thanks of the friends of the friend
less. Again, gentlemen, we thank you and al
others who, by their presence and material aid
have encouraged and assisted the managers o
the Home in their labor of love.
Two young ladies then presented each mem
ber of the Order with bouquet, after which they
left the hall.
AS last evening was TO witness the closing o
the Fair the successful contestants for the teS
service and Bible were mentioned. The former
was announced as the property of Rev. ID
Shock of Merchantville, and the latter as be
longing to Lodge No. Is, of the Freemasoni
of Camden.
The Fair closed with a grand supper. Tht
amount realized will exceed $500. The Festi
val reflects great credit upon the managers, anC
will long be remembered by those who werI
fortunate enough TO participate, as connected
Al !. a..