1'1(J:SI1)I0\'I'S ADKUKSS 43 



facts. The principal one, tlie one tliat concerns us most, is tliat the 

 best apples of the country are grown in the Missouri River Valley. That 

 there is a country lying on both sides of the Missouri river about 2'JO 

 miles in width that, given proper care, the orchards produce as many 

 and as good apples as are grown anywhere on narili. These apples are 

 just as large, equally as good in quality (flavor), betr.or colored, and keep 

 longer than the famous eastern grown New York apples; and while 

 they are not quite as large, they have as good co'or, a better quality 

 (flavor) and keep longer than the apples grown ia the inter-mountain 

 states. And this brings us to another lina of the work thi.s society 

 has planned for the next decade; namely to demonstrate to the fruit 

 growers of the state that they do not have to leave Nebraska to get 

 into the best apple growing section of the country and to the fruit 

 consuming public that Nebraska apples are among the best, if not tiie 

 best grown. 



In pursuance of this plan, the apple show was held at the state 

 farm last winter in connection with our annual meeting and w?s a sur- 

 prise to all interested in it. During the following two months we held 

 five horticultural institutes, one at each of the following places: Blair, 

 Peru, Plattsmouth, and Beatrice. These institutes were very largely 

 attended and a lively interest maintained throughout. We are endea- 

 voring to make arrangements for another series this winter. 



Following this same plan of work, the desirability of a larger and 

 better show, a better demonstration, this winier of what can be done 

 in apple culture, was discussed at length at the state fair meeting and 

 at the state board meeting following the fair. After a fuil discussion of 

 the subject by the board, and with as many members as possible, it was 

 decided to hold another demonstration this winter. It seemed to your 

 board that the time was ripe to show to the people of Nebraska, if we 

 were ever going to, what can be done by intelligent, progressive orchard 

 management. The exhibit at the auditorium is the result and speaks 

 for itself. 



I trust what we have done will meet your approval and this line of 

 work continue until we have convinced every orchard owner in Ne- 

 braska that nothing but thoroughly progressive management in the 

 orchard pays. Keep up w"ith the procession. 



The year just closed has been one of average prosperity to the 

 good people of our great state and the horticulturist in a general way 

 has had his share of this prosperity. The state, as a whole, had a fair 

 crop of all kinds of fruit, except peaches and in a few sections apples, 

 while the southeast quarter of the state had in many places a record 

 crop. This crop was marketed at prices hardly satisfactory to the 

 producers. The marketing of this crop has taught us several lessons, 

 among which the most important to my mind is the need of closer co- 

 operation on the part of growers in handling and marketing their truit. 

 As proof of this note the prices that you sold lor and the price the same 

 apples are sold for on the market today. An apple growers' associa- 



