Peninsular news and advertiser. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1872-1904, 1872-09-27
AGRICULTURAL.
The Horticultural Fair at Wilmington.

The Horticultural Fair at Wilmington.
Institute Hall, for the purpose of the
great annual fair of the Wilmington
horticultural Society, is converted into
a bower of beauty. The wreath of flow
ers and evergreens which so appropri-
ately decorate every part seems nac-
countable. Every hot-house and con-
servatory in and around the city must
be taxed to furnish the supply. With
these appropriately and artistically ar
ranged in every part Of the great hall,
interspersed with the more useful and
appropriate horticultural specimens on
exhibition, gives beauty and attractive
ness which brings together every even
ing large and interested crowd of Wis
Z itors. In addition to the exhibition pro-
per, elegant tables of refreshments are
spread in various parts of the hall, pre-
sided over by queens of beauty and grace,
r which add to the attractions of the show
as well as to the income of the society,
which latter in this case goes to the
Home for Friendless Children" per-
shaps the most deserving charity in the
city. All Wilmington feels it duty as
Swellas a pleasure to aid in this most
beautiful and excellent exhibition, hence
the crowds which filed the hall for sew
eral consecutive evenings.
The above was written before examin-
ing the specimens, as your reporters in
troductory to what was intended to be
an elaborate report in relation to the
fruits and vegetables on exhibition but
when he came to look the thing over
seridtlnn, it was found to contain but a
meagre display except as to flowers and
evergreens. In truth, it was more of a
fair for the benefit of the 'Home'' above
mentioned than an horticultural exbibi.
tion. There was quite a large and hand
some display of apples by John Richard
son, Esq, among which we observed ele-
giant specimens of Greetings, Pippins,
Russets, Baldwins, and other varieties
amounting in all to eighteen. BY the
side of these were two small baskets OF
Ounces which were unusually fine. The
variety no one seemed to know and they
were not labeled. There were but two
specimens of peaches, Old Nixon and
the Freemason, the latter new variety
exhibited by Rev. r. Todd.
OF Grapes, the specimens of foreign
grown under glass were numerous, and
very fine, but Of outdoor grapes there
was no display worthy of any particular
reference.
1.-THE only table of vegetables was exhib
tied by Henry Du Pont. Upon it werC
beets nearly as big as Mr.. Greeley
mammoth will be when it gets its growtl
in November. They weighed about tel
pounds each, and measured eighteen
inches in circumference. They were o
the ordinary red turnip variety. Among
other articles, all excellent, we noticed
remarkably beautiful specimens of til,
Trophy Tomato and numerous egg
plants. Wilmington could get up
horticultural exhibition worthy of her i
she would only go about it i'll earnest
This show is evidently intended more t.
aid a deserving charity than to shoy
horticultural products.
Next year let there be a Delawar
State Horticultural Fair held at Milford
and with the proper effort we can get u
such one as will attract attention t
our fruit and vegetable-growing capabil
titles all over the country.