258 ^'EBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



the cellar at so low a temperature as to preserve the better grades of 

 apples until January and February, realizing then the higher prices. 

 Perhaps one of" the most important subjects before us is how to so store 

 our fruit as to realize the better rates. We have with us one of our 

 successful orchardists who will explain his methods of storage by 

 which he is able to market his fruit in a more profitable manner. Per- 

 haps he will also tell us how to utilize tiie waste products of the or- 

 chard in which there has hitherto been serious loss. We are led to 

 believe that evaporators will soon come into more general use, and 

 that a larger amount of pure cider vinegar will be made. 



FINANCES. 



The expenses of the past year have been much greater than the in- 

 come. Our allowance from the state has been reduced from $2,000 to 

 $1,000 per year. The removal of the state fair from Lincoln to Omaha 

 increased our expense in the fitting of new buildings. The problem 

 before us is how to do more work with less money. 



One method of economizing is for officers and members to do a 

 large part of the work of preparing for and handling our exhibits at 

 fairs, instead of hiring workmen and police. Until the legislature 

 can be impressed with the value of our work and be induced to ap- 

 propriate a reasonable amount of money, it will be necessary for us to 

 rely largely on individual effort. 



Something can be saved both in printing and in officers' salaries. I 

 would recommend — 



First — That the allowance made the President and the Superintend- 

 ent of Halls be cut off. About $60 can be saved in this way. 



Second — That $100 be stricken from the salary of the Secretary, 

 and that the amount allowed the Secretary for postage, stationery, and 

 express on the reports be limited to $150. 



To enable us to make a smaller amount of money do a greater 

 amount of work I would suggest. 



Third — That the number of single plate {)remiums be increased. 



Some method should be devised to keep the exhibition tables free 

 from fruit that is imperfect and discreditable in quality. This could 

 be accomplished by a revision of the rules of exhibit and by insisting 

 that fruit in bad order have no place on the tables. Special exertions 

 should be made to bring out exhibits from the northern, central, and 



