146 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that might be classed with the Ben Davis family should be held 

 .at a higher temperature, just what that temperature should be 

 I am not prepared to say. I am satisfied that 32 or even 33 de- 

 grees is too low for these varieties. I noticed that these varie- 

 ties from all the different states scalded when placed upon 

 the tables. The apples seemed to look bright and fresh 

 when opened, but by the time they had been out twenty-four 

 hours they looked very bad. 



We undertook to make a continuous exhibit of all the different 

 species of fruit grown in the state as they ripened in their 

 respective seasons. Beginning with the Strawberry we ex- 

 hibited all the soft fruits as follows: We exhibited two varie- 

 ties of Strawberries, four of Raspberries, two Blackberries, 

 two Gooseberries, four Currants, four Cherries, seven Plums, 

 two Apricots, two Quince, eleven Peaches, twenty Grapes, nine 

 Pears, and forty-eight Apples. This fruit was grown by forty- 

 five fruit men, representing fourteen counties. I experienced 

 trouble with small fruit. I made no effort to make an exhi- 

 bition of all the varieties of the different species of fruit grown 

 in Nebraska, but sought rather to present those varieties which 

 can be grown with profit, and that are of good quality as well. 

 I made a special effort to demonstrate that the quality of our 

 fruit is just as good as that grown in any other state in the 

 Union. So many people are of the opinion that to secure fruit 

 of good quality they must go to New York or Michigan to find 

 it, I made a special effort to break down this prejudice against 

 our fruit. Prom a comparative statement given by the Judges 

 who passed upon the fruit, we proved beyond any question of 

 doubt that the quality of our fruit is equalled by few of the 

 States, and surpassed by none. 



In the distribution of awards Nebraska led all other 

 States in the Union in the number of Gold Medals she received. 

 We received fourteen Gold Medals which was two more than 

 any other State was awarded. Also twenty Silver and eighteen 

 Bronze Medals. 



At the St. Louis Exposition we were brought into direct com- 

 petition with thirty-three States and Territories of the Union. 

 Nebraska had the smallest amount of money at her disposal 

 for Horticulture of any of the States that made any pretense of 



