National Republican., 1878-05-23
A FLOATING FEsTIvAL.
The Potomac Fruit Growers Excursion
Exhibition Of Zig Strawberries.

Ahe FOtomaC frut-tfOwers bnCursioh-
Exhibition Of Zig Strawberries
Fully 800 persons, of both sexes and all
ages, assembled on board the steamer Mary
Washington yesterday to join In the first eI-
cursion for 1878 Of the Potomac Frut-Growers'
Association. The occasion was devoted to the
exhibition Of Strawberries and such other
fruits, &c. as were sufficiently matured.to TO show
their promise for the season. accompanied by
flowers aud ever reens to decorate the exhibi.
tion tables and the boat In their vicinity. As
is unusual. promptly at the hour designated,
which was ten o'clock, the boat left her wharf
and proceeded down the river, stopping at all
way stations, where extensive additions were
made to the happy number already on board.
When the boat arrived at Glymont all who
were so inclined went ashore, and an hour was
spent very pleasantly in lunching aud rambling.
About three o'clock the whistles were blown
and the steamer started on her up trip. When
she was fairly under way notice was given
and n spirited and enjoyable meeting Of the
association was held in the saloon parlor, with
the president, Chalklcy Gillingham, In the
chair, aud DR.. Snodgrass secretary. MeSsrs.
David +. Coleman, +. koons, Colonel
II. NJ. Rogers Dr. Thomas r. Hood,
Dr. !. +. Rankin, Judge J. NJ. Ed
munds, postmaster; Rev. DIR. David Wilson,
Judge l.. W. Vale. X. MeyenbcrF and Mrs. II.
NJ. Avery were elected to membership In the
association. An essay on grape culture" was
read by r. A. Phillips, of Arlington. At Its
conclusion, remarks were made by Messrs.
Pearson aud Sno1graSs, and on motion
of Colonel Chase the subject was laid over un-
I'll the June meeting for further dis
cussion. Bessie Beach" read poem on Our
Fruit.Growers' Excursion" which was re-
crived with immense applause. j. VI. Spear,
Of Boston. made few remarks J. PcttybOne,
esq, was then elected member, and the
meeting ad journcd in order TO give an oppOr-
tunity to those present TO listen to an excel
lent feast Of music by Colonel Rogers, Mr. G.
h. McJRuley, Miss Cora b. Chase, Mr.. b. Ryan,
and Others, The exhibition tables were well
supplied with choice Strawberries, flowers, &C.
the arrangement Of which reflected much
credit on Colonel Chase the curator of the
association. The following Is a list OF the ber-
rics, &c. exhibited:
Charles Downing Highland Beauty, and
Fillmore by J. II. Smith; Monarch Of the
West, Captain Jack, and Star of the West,
c. Gillingham; Monarch of the West, J. Hun
ter, jr.; Black Defiance, Late Prolific. Seth
Boyden, Champion, Duchess, Captain Jack,
Patuxent, Charles Downing, Kentucky, Mon.
arch of the West, and COwing's Seedlings, from
the Agricultural Department, and exhibited by
Mr.. Saunders Monarch q onC-ounce straw.
berry, exhibited by Mr.. :. Mason, Virginia {;
Wilson, Di. Rowland dried peaches by d. E.
Va, and Bessie Beach"eXhibited flowers; straw
berries Monarch ofthe West, Scarlet, by :. Snow
den; CollngwoOd Wilson V. Baker CollingwOOd;
Monarch of the West, from Dr. ;. W. Graham,
Falls Church. Va, exhibited by DIR. Hood {:
Monarch of the West, grown by J. Miller,
Rock Creek road, exhibited by DR. Joseph
Jones; Stewart, delicious berry, by A.
Chandlcc, Sandy Springs, Montgomery
County, Md.
When the boat arrived opposite Alexandria
all the berries, flowers, &c, that had not been
| withdrawn were sold at public auction by
| Colonel Chase, for the benefit of the assOcia-
ton. Some boxes of strawberries brought as
| high as fifty cents.