336 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The entire exhibit was too crowded to show at its best. We had 

 enough to have filled another table four feet wide and 100 feet long. 



The horticultural department of the Michigan State Fair is one of the 

 most important divisions of the exhibit. The fruit interests are not in the 

 kindergarten stage, but are now among the important industries of the 

 State, and statistics show but few enterprises that represent disburse- 

 ments equivalent to those for fruits and flowers. 



We have promising sections that need some encouragement along the 

 lines of fruit production as well as in other agricultural products, viz: 

 The northern counties of the lower peninsula, and the upper peninsula, 

 where fruit growing is in its infancy ; but even now we look to these sec- 

 tions to produce fruit of the highest quality. In connection with this 

 most desirable feature of the premiums offered were the awards for county 

 exhibits, although I believe they are somewhat restricted. 



There were ten counties represented : Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, 

 Charlevoix, Emmet and Grand Traverse. Crawford had a small show. 

 From the upper peninsula section Menominee and Marquette had very 

 creditable exhibits, and Baraga sent fruit of exceptional perfection. The 

 general collections were a credit to our fruit interests. 



The entire exhibit of 1901 covered about 2,500 square feet of table space 

 and consisted of about 6,000 plates of fruit, divided as follows: 3,000 

 plates of apples, 900 of peaches, 600 of pears, 750 of plums, 650 of grapes, 

 crab apples, quinces and cranberries. 



There were some complaints by exhibitors, but the rushed condition of 

 affairs owing to the imcompleteness of the newly constructed buildings 

 was responsible for nearly all. 



I recommend that plants and flowers be arranged separately but in close 

 proximity to fruit. The floor above the fruit should be dust tight. The 

 fruit tables should be lowered for convenience of arranging and handling 

 fruit as well as for visitors. 



Several changes in the premium list are recommended — enlarging the 

 list and giving third premiums in collections. 



M. L. DEAN, 

 Acting Superintendent. 



REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GATES. 



To the President and Members of the Executive Committee: 



Gentlemen — I submit the following : I employed ten men at the gates 

 at $2.50 each per day and railroad fare and one man to take tickets at 

 grand stand one-half day at $1.00 per day, a total of $156.83. 



Being short of help at the grand stand, the police department helped 

 out very courteously. 



I recommend that a gate for teams be made west of the offices. 



W. P. CUSTARD, 



Superintendent. 



