. Winter Meeting. 339 



result that the effect was. lessened by the considerable proportion of in- 

 ferior fruit shown, especially during the late sunimer. 



From the point of perfection, so far as the size, form, color, 

 freedom from blemishes, and the general uniformity of its fruit is con- 

 cerned, no state equaled Oregon. The sweet cherries were especially 

 good, while the pears, plums, prunes and peaches were above criticism. 

 Early in November a carload of apples was received. These were shown 

 in bushel boxes and attracted attention on account of their large size 

 and high color, as well as the uniformity with which they were graded. 

 Arkansas also made a very little creditable exhibit of apples, pears and 

 peaches. The apples were largely Ben Davis, Winesap, Willow Twig, 

 Arkansas Black and Mammoth Black Twig. Most of them were of 

 large size and well colored. A large showing of Elberta peaches and 

 Kieffer pears was also made. 



(Michigan and West Virginia ran a very even race, both as to the 

 extent of their exhibits and the varieties shown. While the largest num- 

 ber of varieties came from the former state, its slight advantage in the 

 number of medals of the lower grades came from the fact that there 

 were more exhibitors, each of whom could secure a medal if five plates 

 that would score 75 points were shown. The decorated apples from 

 Michigan and a display of several hundred plates of Mcintosh from 

 West Virginia attracted a good deal of attention. 



While the exhibit from Iowa during the early part of the season 

 was hardly up to the standard of most of the other states, owing to the 

 failure of the apple crop in 1903, it gradually improved as the season 

 advanced until at the close it was one of the most attractive owing to 

 the large size of the Alexander, Wolf River, N. W. Greening and 

 McMahon and other sorts that made up the bulk of the exhibit. The 

 awards were somewhat reduced, however, by the low quality of most 

 of these sorts. The exhibit occupied considerable space and towards the 

 close presented a very handsome appearance owing to the flat installa- 

 tion which was used. The tables were wide and the aisles narrow, so 

 that from a distance it looked like a solid mass of fruit. 



Washington was more than a month late in opening its exhibit and, 

 owing to the high express rates, depended almost entirely upon two 

 carload of apples of the crop of 1903 from cold storage and a small ship- 

 ment made in October. Not only did the largest apple on exhibition 

 come from this state, but, taking the exhibit as a whole, the apples 

 averaged larger than any others in the hall. While fairly handsome 

 in appearance and uniform in shape and size, they were as a rule of 



