KEl'OUT OF THE MKTlCOKOl.OGrST. 261 



by the .splendor and beauty of the appk^ display, but by th(i 

 profusion of horticultural wealth emptied so lavishly upon 

 the tables. The exhibit fultllled most completely the promise 

 held out to the old pioneers. The Nebraska Society also won 

 the second prize for the best state general display of fruits, 

 $150 in cash. In all, the Society was awarded t«n first prizes, 

 eight vseconds, and twelve thirds. These included a first prize 

 gold medal for the most artistic display of fruits, first prize 

 for the best home orchard collection in district No. 4, which 

 comjDrised the states of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kan- 

 sas, a beautiful solid silver cup, and many firsts, seconds, and 

 thirds for the plate displays. There were many individual 

 and county displays, including a splendid exhibit made by C. 

 Sorenson, of Florence, who won many prizes in the plate con- 

 tests, and by George Christy, of Johnson, whose exhibit was 

 covered with blue, red, and v>hite ribbons. 



The Nebraska state exhibit was in charge of Hon. C. H. 

 Barnard, of Table Rock, C. G. Marshall, of Lincoln, the Sec- 

 retai^-, and G. A. Marshall, of Arlington. The Society ap- 

 proj^riated funds early in the season and managed systematic- 

 ally every portion of detail connected with the exposition. 

 Their work is worth many thousand dollars to the state. All 

 of the officers of the Society and multitudes of Nebraska fruit 

 growers visited the exposition. 



REPORT OF THE METEOROLOGIST. 



G. D, SWEZEY. 

 THE ROLE OF WATER IN PLANT LIFE. 



Ever\ horticulturist realizes that, next to sunlight, water 

 is the most important factor in plant life. But perhaps we 

 do not realize that water is also, in many ways, a most pecu- 

 liar and almost unique substance among the constituents of 

 our globe. Let us note some of these peculiarities: 



1st. Its A.Moi'XT. — When the cooling and shrinking earth 



