176 .NEIUtASKA STATK llnl; TIcrr/riKAI. SOCIETY 



FRUIT AND FLOWER SHOW AT THE STATE FAIR, 1913. 



The state fair of 1913 will long be remembered as occurring under 

 most unpleasant weather conditions. The major portion of the state had 

 been "cooked to a turn" for two .nor.ths prior to the fair, with no rain 

 to afford relief, either just before or during the fair. 



Hot and dry and dusty vould accurately describe conditions. 



Yet despite these drawbacks the Horticultural Society may well be 

 proud of the exhibit on display for fair visitors. It was owing to the 

 untiring energy of Mr. C. H. Barnard, president of the society, and acting 

 secretary during August, that all the old exhibitors and a number of new 

 ones were on hand at the opening of the show with exhibits largo 

 enough to fill horticultural hall. 



The fruit, while not averaging quite as large as in former years, yet 

 made a very creditable show. Of course the bulk of fruit shown was 

 apples, of which there were over 125 different varieties on display, rang 

 ing from the earliest to the latest. Most of the apples lacked the high 

 color of former years, which may be accounted for by the drouth, and 

 that apples are two weeks later than common this year. 



The pear display was much larger this year than ordinarily and 

 averaged up well in size. In addition to premiums on pears offered in 

 former years, special premilums were offered on 50-plate display of pears. 



This was calculated to bring on a large pear display. This year being 

 so dry only three entries were made. 



The peach show was about on a par v.ith former years, possibly a 

 little better than ordinary, but showed the effects of a dry summer. 



The plum display was fully up to normal in size and number of 

 entries. Several new seedlings were on aisplay that would be fine 

 enough for any one's taste. 



Grapes are one of the foremost small fruits that are grown in a 

 commercial way in eastern Nebraska at present, and were on display in 

 numerous kinds and colors, i>lack grapes, however, predominating. Juda- 

 ing from the small amount of rainfall tiiat fell where part of the grapes 

 grew, and their high quality and t.ne looks, it would indicate that our 

 best dry weather fruit crop, o'hers things being equal, was the grape. 



All ii. all, the 1913 fruit exhibit at the state fair was one that under 

 the adverse weather conditions brings out the lad that Nebraska, no mat- 

 ter how bad a drouth, will still come out and make a creditable showing in 

 fruit, and furthermore points to the great horticultural possibilities of 

 the eastern part of the state. 



Owing to some misunderstandings only two tlorists of the state, Sim- 

 anton & Pence, of Falls City, and Chapin Bros., of Lincoln, had potted 

 plants on exhibition. 



The first-named firm won most of the first premium.^ awarded. The 

 other florists failing to come out and lake up all the space, the University 

 of -Nebraska very generously consented to allow the society the use of 



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