62 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



able ^sel•vic'es in this counectiou aud tliroughout the periud of installa- 

 tion of exhibits. 



The foreign section of the Palace of Horticultnre, in which was the 

 space allotted to the United States, being still incomplete on the daj' 

 of the formal (jpening of the exposition, it was fonnd impossible to 

 install exhi])its until after that date. Since May 9, however, when 

 the first installation was completed, the exhibit has been continu- 

 ously maintained in good condition. It is worthy of note that a large 

 proportion of the apples of the crop of 1900 displaj^ed were excep- 

 tionally choice fruit, and were in excellent condition when unpacked 

 for exhibition. This is especiallj" gratifying in view of the ]jrolouged 

 hot weather of the autumn of 1899, which resulted in unprecedented 

 losses by dealers of fruit in transit and in storage during the autumn 

 and winter. It furnishes a conclusive demonstration of the practica- 

 bility of greatly prolonging the marketing season for this fruit where 

 proper precautious are taken in selecting, handling, and storing. 

 Under a continuation of the arrangements made last year regular 

 shipments of fruits of the present season are being forwarded, and 

 these will be kept up until the close of the exposition. 



The exhibit from the outset attracted wide attention, and distinctly 

 beneficial results to the fruit industry may reasonably be expected 

 from it. 



No other country has attempted to maintain a continuous fruit 

 exhibit, vxen the French section being bare of fruit during at least 

 two-thirds of the time. 



CURRENT WORK. 



In addition to the regular work of the Division, which may be 

 expected to require additional attention in view of its steady growth, 

 the maintenance of the fruit exhibit at Paris will require continued 

 attention. The presence of the Pomologist in Paris to superintend 

 the exhibit durinu- most of the first half of the fiscal vear is highlv 

 probable in view of the constant supervision and attention i-equired 

 hy such an exhibit. 



The preparation and installation of a suitable exliil)it at the Pan- 

 American Exposition to beheld in Buffalo, X. Y. , in 1901, will also 

 require attention. 



Field work of observation and investigation, which is needed in 

 several important lines, can not be undertaken under existing cir- 

 cumstances. 



PLANS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 



The effort to introduce the culture of the European table grapes in 

 the South Atlantic States makes important a careful study of those 

 varieties and of the methods of pruning, cultivating, fertilizing, etc., 

 as well as the methods of combating the diseases which affect them. 

 The superior quality of these varieties, which have been developed 

 to their present excellence as the result of many centuries of cultiva- 

 tion and selection in the Old World, renders their production here 

 highly desirable to both producer and consumer. It is believed that 

 a large demand at good i)rices would quickly arise when they are once 

 produced in considerable cpiantity. The necessary work on this sub- 

 ject can be done best in cooperation with the Section of Seed and 

 Plant Introduction and the Division of Vegetable Physiolog}' and 

 Pathology, and I would therefore respectfully recommend a sufficient 



