308 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



SUGGESTIONS TO EXHIBITORS OF FRUIT AT THE 

 MINNESOTA STATE FAIR. 



A. W. LATHAM^ EX-SUPT. HORT. DEPT. 



Premium List. — The annual premium list for the Minnesota 

 State Fair is sent out usually in May, which gives prospective ex- 

 hibitors plenty of time to lay plans for making exhibits at the coming 

 fair. A copy can be had by addressing the "Secretary of State Fair, 

 Hamline, Minn." As soon as possible after its receipt the premium 

 list should be looked over with care to see what entries it is likely 

 can be made. The regulations in the horticultural department should 

 also be read over carefully, and if the exhibitor is desirous of doing 

 especially good work he should look over also the general regula- 

 tions, to be found in the front part of the premium list, which apply 

 largely also to this department. 



Making Entries. — As the fruit develops, and it becomes appar- 

 ent what entries can be made, a list of these should be prepared (not 

 forgetting to check them up in the premium list). This list of en- 

 tries should be sent to the secretary of the state fair at least two 

 weeks before the opening of the fair, which will give him an oppor- 

 tunity to prepare the entry tags in season. Don't put this off with 

 the thought of going to the office personally with these entries after 

 you reach the fair. It makes delay for you and them. A printed 

 form to be used in making the entries is sent out with each premium 

 list. Use this as far as it will go and add to it if necessary. 



Season Ticket. — When sending the list of entries do not forget 

 to enclose $2.00 for a season ticket, which the regulations require 

 the exhibitor shall take out if the first premiums for entries he 

 makes amount to $10.00 or more. 



Selecting Fruit. — There is no enterprise that pays better for the 

 time and care employed in planning for it than the exhibit of 

 fruit. Specimens intended for this purpose should, as far as pos- 

 sible, be selected some time beforehand. Whenever the exhibitor 

 runs across fine specimens they should be marked in some way, and 

 the necessary time taken to go through the orchard or vineyard two 

 or three weeks beforehand and mark desirable specimens, so that 

 they may be easily found thereafter. 



Storing. — Fruit intended for exhibit should be allowed to re- 

 main on the trees or vines as late as possible, so as to get the benefit 

 of the fullest size and color. Such varieties, however, as ripen be- 

 fore that time should be gathered when mature enough and either 

 sent to the cold storage provided by the fair management or cared 

 for similarly at home. Many exhibitors have good refrigerators or 

 can get opportunity for storage in some good refrigerator in their 



