Notwithstanding the fact that this year has been an unfavorable one in Ohio for fruits, there was an excellent exhibit at the state fair this year. There were nearly a thousand plates of apples, over four hundred plates of grapes, a hundred and thirty-seven plates of pears, and several plates of quinces, peaches and plums.

Although the display of apples was very large, the quality was far inferior to that usually shown in Ohio. There were some specimen plates, however, that were very fine. They were not, as a rule, highly colored, and many were wormy or knotty. The method of exhibiting was in plates of five specimens each, which were arranged on tables about three feet high, the shelves on these tables a foot wide and each succeeding shelf three inches higher than the one next in front of it, until the middle of the table was reached. By this arrangement the six rows of apples could be seen from one side. There were 300 entries of single plates, and in some varieties there were a dozen competitors.

The pears were shown by four exhibitors, but most of the plates were from two exhibitors. W. W. Farns-worth, Waterville, O., had 13 entries, took six first premiums on single plates of varieties and four seconds on the same; and on six varieties for summer and fall he got first, and second on 12 varieties. C. W. Counter, Toledo, O.. made 17 entries, was awarded nine first and two second premiums on single plates, and first on twenty varieties, first on twelve varieties and second on six varieties. E. H. Cushman, Euclid, O., was awarded first on a new seedling pear. It is an unnamed seedling which has been in bearing for many years. It is about the size of the Seckel, but shorter, and more abrupt at the stem end, usually with a slight cavity about the stem. Season, at its home, is about October first. Quality nearly as good as the Seckel. When ripe it has a rich golden russet skin, with a bright red cheek when exposed to the sun.

There was no competition in peaches, and Mr. Counter received all the awards.

The display of grapes was never equalled in Ohio, either in size and appearance or in quality of grapes shown. They were shown on plates of four bunches each, arranged on tables in the same manner as the apples. E. W. Woodward, Kirtland, O., made the finest display, showing eighty plates and a total of thirty varieties. He was awarded first premiums on collections of 24 varieties, 12 varieties, 6 varieties, 3 varieties early table, 3 varieties late, and second on 3 varieties for white wine. He had twenty-five single plates entered and received 15 first premiums, and 6 second premiums on them. E. H. Cushman, Euclid, showed a fine lot of grapes in varieties, and was awarded 12 first and 4 second premiums on single plates. J. S. Snyder, Lancaster, O., Isaac Fruman, Rex, O., and Mr. Liuxweiler. Dayton, O., each showed a number of varieties. Isaac Staples, Dayton, O., was awarded first premium for new seedling, which is unnamed. Geo. W. Campbell, Delaware, O., showed five new seedlings, only part of which are named. The Moyer and Moore's Diamond were shown for the first time this year. The former is more loose on the stem than Catawba, which it resembles somewhat in appearance, but is redder.

The largest clusters shown were of Excelsior, exhibited by Mr. Linxweiler.

There were four counties that made exhibits of one hundred or more plates of fruit The first premium was awarded to Lucas county, the second to Warren and the third to Delaware. At a meeting of the State Horticultural Society it was resolved to recommend to the Board that the premium money be paid according to the merit of the exhibit, that all worthy exhibits may receive a portion of the award.

In the professional list of plants there were about 1, 600 pots, but they contained very few good specimen plants. The display was placed in Farm Product Hall, which is not a suitable place for flowers. Nor is Woman's Building, where the amateur list of plants was shown, any more suitable. There should be a building especially for plants and cut flowers.

At the meeting of the State Horticultural Society, the project of making out fruit lists for different sections of the state was discussed, and referred to the annual meeting, which will be held at Zanesville in December.

W. S. Devol.