166 HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 



been creditable to the best fruit-produciug State of the Union. Difierent 

 fruit growers, also, throughout the Eastern States, placed on exhibition large 

 quantities of the choicest products of their nurseries, so that the displaj' from 

 Minnesota, in point of numbers and variety, shrank into seeming insignifi- 

 cance. But the renewal of most of these fruits at short intervals, gave rise 

 to conjectures, and as the State of Minnesota was interested in a comparison 

 with all the other States, but more particularly with the State of Kansas, the 

 only State near her own borders, which had entered into competition, the 

 question of the relative value of the fruits of these two State was a subject of 

 great importance. A critical examination of the Kansas apple revealed the 

 fact, that while many varieties were large in size, they were deficient in flavor. 

 Further, that the cells which contained the seeds were very large, forming a 

 considerable cavity in the centre of the fruit ; that they were lacking in 

 solidity, and very soon shrank and withered. A comparision of the two 

 States, by weight, showed that in all cases, taking an apple from each State, 

 of the same size, the specific gravity of the Minnesota apple greatly exceeded 

 that of the Kansas apple, and the superior keeping quality of the former was 

 demonstrated by the fact that the Minnesota fruit remained firm and sound 

 long after the Kansas fruit had decayed. 



Now, when it is remembered that the greater part of these apples had pre- 

 viously been exhibited at the State Fair, in St. Paul, from September 17th to 

 the 21st, had been forwarded by rail to Xew York, and placed in the heat, light, 

 and other unfavorable surroundings of the Institute, until November 20th, it 

 will readily be perceived that their keeping qualities were put to the severest 

 test. Yet notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, at the close of the 

 Institute Fair, after an interval of over two months from the time they had 

 first been exhibited, more than one-half of Minnesota fruit was found free 

 from decay, and some remained sound up to the close of the 3'ear. This is a 

 triumph in which every citizen should feel a generous pride, and for which 

 the State is indebted mainly to the members of this Association, through 

 whose influence the fruit was secured. In view of these results, let me urge 

 the State Horticultural Societ3\ at its present anniversary, to appoint a com- 

 mittee specially to secure fruits from every portion of the State, to be exhib- 

 ited at the next fair of the American Institute. It is but due the State that 

 a fair display of her capacity, in this direction, should be made, as a further 

 attraction to those seeking homes in the Northwest, and as settling, beyond 

 all question, her status as a fruit-producing State. 



The apple crop of the State, of the last year, was at least 30,000 bushels, a 

 practical test of the culture of this fruit, but our ambition should not permit us 

 to rest here. The value of the orchard products of the neighboring State of 

 Wisconsin, according to the census returns of 1870, amounted to $819,000, 

 and. I see no reason, either climatic or otherwise, that would prevent an 

 equal yield in the State of Minnesota, To increase the present production, 

 and spread it ovjpr the length and breadth of the State, until Minnesota shall 

 be the peer of any State in the Northwest, is among the prominent features of 

 this Association — a load truly worthy of Atlas of mythological memory ; but 

 this end can and will be effected. 



