Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-29
BEDFORD CITY.
The Fourth Annual Exhibition of
the Horticultural Society.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch)


BEDFORD CITY, VA, September a.
This morning the Bedford Horti-
cultural Society held it's fourth annual
exhibit in the building known as the
Market House. The main object Of this
society Is TO stimulate in the Farmers
the intelligent cultivation Of fruit
The splendid display Of apples and other
fruits to-day is an eloquent object lesson
OF the success OF the efforts of the sOcic-
~. There are superb specimens Of Abe
marie pippins. the Pilot the Northern
Sky, fall pippins. York Imperial, Buck
inghams, winesaps. Paradise Suret, i'm
menSe Heryers. Virginia beauties. FallOw
Water. and among the Ben. Davis varie-
ties was an apple measuring Is inches in
circumference, grown by Mr.. Fisher Lind
say. These and many other varieties Of
apples demonstrate most cOnclusively
how well adapted is Bedford to the pro-
ductOn of this valuable fruit I'm full per-
lection. There are also some remarkably
fine exhibits of peaches, notable among
which are some large, luscious, free
stone seedlings. grown by Mr.. II. W.
Robinson. Of this place.
The display OF pears, mainly Of the
Keefer species, Is ny far the largest and
finest ever seen here Among those eX-
hibted by Mr.. b. W. DOOley was one
weighing one pound and seven ounces.
Besides the fruits there are most credit
able exhibits Of vegetables especially OF
Irish potatoes. The display of corn. both
in height OF the stalks and fine ears, is
notably good.
In addition to the display of homologi-
cal horticultural and agricultural pro-
management Of Mrs. r. II. Clayton, is
filled with all manner Of specimens OF
neede-wOrk, from the counterpart woven
in q COttOn-mill near this place In the
year 1870 down TO exquisite handmade
lace, embroidery. and all the other
branches OF female handiwOrk The dis
play of butter is one Of the most interest
ing Of the exhibits.
The art department is also excellent;
especially so are the displays OF hand
painted china by Mrs. ID. W. Read and
Mr. Reeam. There are many handsome
growing plants.
The entire exhibit reflects much honor
upon the society and the entire county.
The secretary. Mr.. George Nichols, de-
serves. perhaps the largest need of praise
for his unceasng ana unselnsh EFFORTS IN
behalf Of the exhibit
For the first time the society offers real
prizes instead of the ribbon award. for
excellence, and the interest has been thus
much stimulated. by another year the
purpose Of holding the exhibits.
At the recent exhibition at Phiadel-
phia of the American Pathological Society
display of Bedford fruit, collected by
Mr.. George T.. Murrell, the president OF
the local society and secretary Of the
Virginia State Horticultural Society. re-
ceiVed the Wilder bronze medal for eX-
cellence. Mr.. Murrell, al his own eX-
pense. collected and shipped these Bed
ford fruits 10 Philadelphia, and is much
gratifed at the honor accorded them.
Two years ago a collection Of Bedford APP
pies. sent TO the AladisOn-Square fruit eX-
hibit. at New York. was awarded a dplO-
ma and so premium
Commissioner Dodge. Of the Paris Ex-
position. has through the division of
pomology at Washington, appointed Mr.
Mur~cll a special agent for Virginia 10
secure during this autumn an exhibition
OF apples for the exposition at Paris next
year. There must be az least twenty-five
barrels Of the half dozen standard va
rieties These must be perfect specimens,
without a blemish or spot. When select
ed they will be sent az once 20 Washing
ton. and there put I'm cold storage and
kept during the winter. 10 be sent 10
Paris i'm the spring as a constant exhibit
OF Virginia apples. In other States there
have been liberal appropriations for this
purpose. but IN this instance the eX-
Dense will be borne by the United States
Department of POmOlOgy.