MICHIGAN FRUIT AT THE CENTENNIAL. 133 



In regard to this list it should bo remarked that it was made up from the 

 ■external appearance of the fruit. Perhaps, had the fruit been cut, the llox- 

 bury Russet would have been placed first, and the Wagoner would have changed 

 places with the Baldwin, and some few other changes would have been made in 

 the order of these names. 



With the exception of the last three or four varieties, the fruit, when un- 

 packed, was in an excellent state of preservation. The unpacking of so 

 much fruit near the center of the large ten-acre hall, diffusing an aroma so 

 delightful, and the display of so much bright, beautiful, and crisp fruit at a 

 season when even in the well supplied markets of Philadelphia such scenes do 

 not occur, created quite a sensation in the thronged hall, and attracted a large 

 crowd of visitors, who eagerly inquired where this fruit came from, and put 

 many other questions concerning it. When the display was complete, a banner 

 was placed above it, inscribed : 



MICHIGAN— CROP OF 1875. 



It is well known to fruit men that 1875 was not a very favorable year m 

 Michigan for fruit, but, notwithstanding this fact, when the representatives of 

 other States saw what Michigan had to show, they did not unpack their fruit 

 and exhibit it. Not another State occupied any of the tables intended for this 

 display. The State of Iowa displayed with their wax models of fruit in their 

 agricultural department, several plates of real apples, but made no pretension 

 to exhibit fruit in competition witli Michigan, so that as a matter of fact, 

 Michigan was the only State that represented at the Centennial this feature of 

 American iudustry, — the production of choice apples for winter and spring 

 consumption. 



It is not contended here that no other State could have done what Michigan 

 did on this occasion, but the fact that no other State did do it, is significant, 

 and worthy of consideration in making up a general estimate of the compara- 

 tive results of the Centennial. 



There was no fruit specially preserved for this particular display, but it was 

 collected from stock in cellars ordinarily reserved for spring sale. 



The theory which seems fairly deducible from the facts just stated seems to 

 be that the climate of Michigan, under the moderating influence of surround- 

 ing lakes of deep water, is peculiarly adapted to the production of that solid 

 quality in the apple that is essential to long keeping. The same varieties of 

 apples that keep so well when raised in Michigan, when raised in more southern 

 States, away from the influence of water, are only fall apples, and are not ex- 

 pected to retain their value more than a few weeks after gathering. The 

 quality is coarser and softer, and consequently not so well adapted to resist 

 destructive influences. The apple is most at home in a moderately cool climate, 

 and when grown under a sunshine almost tropical in its intensity, cannot main- 

 tain its solidity and enduring quality. 



The organization by which this excellent display of Michigan keeping apples 

 was made was primarily the State Pomological Society, who appointed as com- 

 mittee in charge of forwarding the fruit. Mr. N". Chilson, of Battle Creek. Mr. 



