136 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The State Pomological Society appointed an excellent connnittcc to collect 

 bhe 1'niit and ship it, assigning to each member some specific duty. H. Dale 

 Adams, of Galesburg, superintended tlie collection and shipment of apples; H. 

 E. Bidwell, South Haven, peaches; I. E. Ilgenfritz, of Monroe, pears; J. G. 

 U'amsdell, Traverse City, plums; E. Bradfield, Ada, grapes, lint notwith- 

 standing the dilligence of these well known and zealous pomologists it was not 

 till about the 26th of September, about two weeks after the time appointed for 

 the display, that the Michigan tables began to give promise of a creditable ex- 

 hibition in comparison with the displays surrounding them. At this time a 

 shipment of fruit collected by Mr. Samuel lloppin, of Bangor, Van Buren 

 county, was unpacked, as were packages of grapes from St. Joseph, Berrien 

 county, and of grapes and pears from Monroe, and some pears from Grand 

 Traverse county, and grapes from Ada, and these gave character to the exhibi- 

 tion and tilled up the hitherto lightly laden tables. The Canadian commis- 

 sioner, who had really made an excellent display, came around aud said it did 

 look now as if Michigan would have a better display of fruit than Canada, but 

 it was not too late to send for more fruit, and he would do it. From this time 

 the Michigan fruit attracted much attention as, although but few peaches ar- 

 rived in a presentable shape, those that were perfect made a very favorable 

 impression. The plums, pears, and grapes came along in nice order, and from 

 the close of September until the 15th of October, when the fruit exhibition in 

 the Pomological Annex closed, Michigan fruit continued to attract great atten- 

 tion, while many of the exhibits from other States seemed to loose their luster, 

 leaving Michigan fruit the most interesting feature of the hall. Had the fruit 

 from Michigan arrived at the same time as did the fruit from Canada and the 

 Western States it would have held a high preeminence, but coming late, when 

 the fruit from elsewhere had lost some of its freshness and beauty, the contrast 

 was very striking, and strongly in favor of Michigan fruit, although perhaps 

 hardly a fair comparison under the circumstances. The rules adopted by the 

 Centennial judges of giving awards of merit without regard to comparison with 

 other exhibits of the same character avoided any invidious comparisons, and 

 Michigan, like other States, received awards according to merit, comparisons 

 being made only by private inspection. 



The Ohio Farmer had an office near the entrance to agricultural hall during 

 the Centennial, and its intelligent editor had ample opportunities for watching 

 the comparative merits of the displays made. The following is from his report 

 on the fruit displays : 



'•Those fruit producing districts most distant seem to be the most active, as Iowa 

 Michigan, Oregon, and Canada are almost daily in receipt of fresh exhibits. Those 

 of Canada and Michigan may be especially referred to as of great superiority in both 

 quantity and quality. Michigan takes the lead of any other State in the extent of 

 her display, as indeed she lias done during almost the entire season. In tins display 

 there are now over 2,500 plates of fruit, much of it of a very superior quality. Owing 

 to the great distance they have to be transported, many of the peaches and grapes 

 have been received in a damaged condition, but the apples and pears are magnificent. 

 Xorthern Michigan is noted for the superior keeping qualities of its fruits, and as an 

 evidence that tins reputation is well earned, the Peninsular Farmers' Club, of Old 

 Mission, Grand Traverse county, has sent specimens of Early Harvest, Sweet Bough, 

 and other early apples, all in perfectly good condition, X. Chilson, of Battle Creek, 

 sciub about 150 varieties of apples, and other single exhibitors send as many or more. 

 The Peninsular Farmers' Club have sent a collective exhibit of apples and pears. 

 which for high coloring, soundness of fruit, and delicacy of flavor, is the finest we 

 have ever seen. Four plates of Flemish Beauty pears, sent by Prof. Tracy, of this 

 club, far excel any other- in this hall. They are of large size, and show the finest 

 coloring we have ever seen on any pears. The Michigan Agricultural College send- 



