460 BOAKP OF AGRICULTURE. 



I must make special mention of the plum exhibit— a large number of 

 which came from J. C. Grossman and Mrs. B. A. Davis. We could truly 

 have said Indiana was far superior to any other State in her plum exhibit 

 during the last week in August. We had at this time more plates than all 

 other States combined. Indiana was rather handicapped in the manner 

 of obtaining fruit for display, while many other States had large appro- 

 priations with which to purcliase the choicest of the land. Indiana was at 

 the mercy of public interest and dependent upon the great generosity 

 of her fruit growers for her showing. Notwithstanding this serious con- 

 dition I would say the Indiana horticulturist was generous and during 

 my stay there, considering that the season was midway between summer 

 and fall— a time when fresh fruits is at the lowest point, the display was 

 exceedingly good. The tables were well filled. 



Missouri, as right she should, had a most wonderful display. Beside 

 the fresh fruits which were shown in abundance and of fine appearance, 

 she had about 2,000 jars of preserved fruits and altogether near 400 

 varieties of horticultural products. 



Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Nebraslva and Arkan- 

 sas, all had most excellent exhibits and were well worthy of many hours' 

 study, while Tc:cas and California did the big thing as usual. I find it 

 difficult to give even some observations in a paper limited to a few hun- 

 dred Avords as this one is. But I am sure of this, that the observations 

 wlilch I made at this great fair will materially assist me in being a more 

 entluisiastic and better horticulturist, and I doubt not that it will prove 

 an inspiration to the horticulturists of our own State and of the world. 



Mr. Tillson: I want to tell of a little experience I had there one Sun- 

 day, I think it was the first Sunday I was there. Several other States 

 were represented— Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, and some other States— 

 we were all bragging on our apples. I proposed a test. I said to them 

 that their apples were all right, and were pretty good looking, but that 

 they were not good for eating. This was the test. That we should select 

 certain varieties of apples like the Grimes Golden, and some others, and 

 select a committee of five that were not interested, and seat them at a 

 table, and bring the apples in to the committee and they were not to know 

 where the apples came from. l)ut were to taste them and tell wliich was 

 the best. We tested six varieties, and I'll tell you right here that the 

 nnaninious vote of tliat committee was for Indiana every time on the 

 (|uality of the apples. (Applause.) We took some of Mr. Burton's apples 

 and some of Mr. Zion's Wolf Rivers and others tliat were just in tli(> right 

 sliai)e, and they were away yonder ahead of lliose of other States. We 

 also made a lest bctwecMi tlie north and tlie south and Mr. liurton's apples 

 were ahead of tlif« apples grown in the northern part of Indiana— the ones 

 grown by Grossni.in. Indiana was ahead in quality every time. 



President Stevens: I expect this is all the time we can give to this 

 discussion this evening. Have you a speech to make tonight, Mr. Flick? 



