WINTER MEETING. 247 



tions and inventions, it seemed but just that his memory should be 

 commemorated, although most inadequately, by these few words of ap- 

 preciation and sorrow for his loss. 



M. E. MURTFELDT. 



Local Fruit Exhibits. 



A marked characteristic of '95 is this — men are giving careful at- 

 tention to the workings and results of long established institutions. 

 This can be well termed the age of criticism and education. 



Our financial system, our banking institutiouei, our methods of 

 making laws and public roads, our common school system, and even 

 our everyday methods of farming and doing business, are all receiving 

 an unusaual amount of attention from every thoughtful citizen 

 in the land. People are trying to understand the reason why ; they 

 want to know the causes for certain results ; and as sure as the Anglo- 

 Saxon blood flows in the veins of the American people, that sure they 

 shall sooner or later know ; and when they know they can be depended 

 upon to choose the right. I want to tell you that that is one conclu- 

 sion upon which is founded the hope of this republic; and the other is 

 that when they have found the right, they may be allowed to follow the 

 plans which they know are just to them. 



This introduces me at once to my subject — "Local Fruit Exhibits." 



I want to note the influences and results upon a people who par- 

 ticipate in exhibits of this kind. I want to show how these exhibits 

 tend to educate men of different occupations to observe and think 

 along the same practical lines. They are a means of showing men 

 their relation to each other. 



When the consumers and producers come together and see the 

 fine products of a country so arranged as to show how they meet the 

 wants of man, then both realize how they are helpful and depending upon 

 each other. They see the sphere each holds to the other. The one 

 seeks to supply, the other seeks to be supplied. Both have wants 

 that never would be supplied without the aid and co-operation of 

 each. Thus they bcome naturally interested in each other, which 

 interests build up the noblest nature of man. 



After looking over the exhibits together, the consumer gives his 

 order for so many Jonathan, Winesap, Jenneting or Ben Davis. The 

 producer says, "I shall be pleased to furnish them to you." Now, if 

 two honest men have met, ever after they are likely to be friends and 

 appreciate the new and happy relationship which they just formed. 



