POMOLOGY AT THE STATE FAIR OF 1877. 



CIIAEACTER OF THE EXHIBIT— RESUJ.TS OF THE DISPLAY, 



Prom May until September the peo])le interested in the success of that 

 worthy old organization, the Micliigau State Agricultural Society, were out- 

 spoken in the prophecy that the Pomological exhibit of J8T7 would show 

 Michigan fruit interests at ebb-tide. Tlie State papers were continuously pub- 

 lishing items from the various sections, stating that the apple crop was either 

 very light or nothing at all. Even the most sanguine of us, who believed that 

 if there was any fruit at all the friends of the State Pomological Society 

 would bring it out for the credit of the Society, began to lose heart as 

 the multitude of answers came iu telling the same sorry tale of " no apples." 

 But the grievous intelligence only awakened a thorough desperation among a 

 few to work, and the result of the severe exertion was seen in Pomological 

 Hall, where were exhibited nearly five hundred more entries tlian ever before 

 in the annals of the Michigan Pomological Society. That work paid. Tt 

 showed the latent energy of the fruit growers of Michigan, which could be 

 aroused in an emergency, and exhibit itself in a manner to be seen and felt. 



Everywhere in the accounts of fairs this season, we see their uniform state- 

 ment tliat •■•'the entries in the fruit department are light,"' and when we place 

 along with this the statement that our fruit entries are largely increased, it 

 speaks volumes for the working force that lies at the foundation of our 

 Society. 



In the display of fruits, peaches, plums, grapes and pears were exhibited in 

 large variety, while the quality was excellent. There was the usual number of 

 entries of apples ; but on account of the general scarcity, the beauty of speci- 

 mens could not equal the years of plenty. That sworn enemy of the apple, 

 the codling moth has been as busily at work as in plenteous years, and the 

 result is a large proportion of the specimens made up the habitation of this 

 insect. 13ut even with the adverse circumstances, tliis "off year"' for apples 

 has been abundantly represented, and the apple exhibit of our State Fair would 

 have been a credit to any State in any year. 



In canned and pickled fruits and jellies there was a beautiful display, and 

 with a good light it would have been the most handsome department of tlie 

 hall. The interest taken in this department by M. W. Clark, of Parnui, and 

 L. 0. Lincoln, of Greenville, assisted largely in making it so unusually success- 

 ful. The uniform satisfaction given in the fruit premiums this year is due to 



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