382 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of fruit were shown there. There being much more Ifruit 

 throughout the state generally this year than any year here- 

 tofore made it possible to exhibit some fruit in all of the county 

 exhibits. 



The hall was decorated with evergreens in much the same 

 manner as for some years past, n-o acceptable substitute for 

 this beautiful form of decoration having been worked out. The 

 Jewell Nursery Company made its usual most attractive exhibit 

 in the center of the hall, which, with the exception of an exhibit 

 in the northwest corner of the horticultural department by B. T. 

 Hoyt, was the only nursery exhibit in our department this year. 

 It would seem that among the enterprising nurseymen of our 

 state there should be a number who would eagerly take ad- 

 vantage of this opportunity to meet their friends from all over 

 the northwest. 



The flower exhibit was much in excess of that of any previous 

 Minnesota State Fair of which we have any recollection. Six new 

 long tables were made and 600 additional jars purchased, all of 

 which were in demand and more, so that one of the best exhibits, 

 that by Dr. D. W. C. Ruff, of White Bear, had to go upon the floor 

 in its entirety. Monday morning found every inch of space in the 

 hall devoted to flowers covered, and the weather being favorable they 

 scarcely deteriorated sufficiently so as to make way for the second 

 exhibit by both amateurs and professionals which came on Thursday 

 morning. A very full exhibit of flowers remained on exhibition in 

 good condition till the close of the fair. Great pains was taken to 

 keep this department fresh and clean, and to this end the exhibitors 

 contributed generously. Special acknowledgement is due to Mrs. 

 F. H. Gibbs, the secretary of the Minnesota Rose Society, for 

 services rendered in connection with the exhibit of members of 

 that society the last half of the week. 



Four of the principal florists of the two cities furnished the 

 decorative plants which occupied and adorned the wall space all 

 around the horticultural part of the hall, except that occupied by 

 Northrup, King & Company with a seed exhibit. These florists 

 are Aug. S. Swanson. St. Paul; Minneapolis Floral Company, E. 

 Nagel & Son and John Vasatka, of Minneapolis. 



The judging was done this year by home talent altogether, 

 most of the work being in the hands of Prof. Samuel B. Green, 

 though many others contributed to the judging in a measure, as 

 will be noted in the list of premiums following, to which the at- 

 tention of the reader is also called in studying the details of the 



