WINDOM TRIAL STATION. 275 



Strawberry plantations, as a rule, came through the winter in 

 rather poor condition ; the most exposed places suffered the most, 

 and the perfect flowering- varieties seemed to be injured more 

 than the pistillates. They are just beginning to ripen on the old 

 beds, and the prospect is that after all we will have a good crop 

 of this fruit. 



The Scotch pines, even where well sheltered from the winds, win- 

 tered poorly, and they do not, especially the larger ones, seem to be 

 recovering very fast. The various spruces wintered finely and are now 

 all of them growing vigorously. I believe they are better adapted 

 to this section than are the pines. Arbor vitaes are also in good 

 shape. 



HORTICULTURE AT THE WORLD'S FAIR. 



D. M. MITCHELL, OWATONNA. 



Thursday, June 16. — I returned from the St. Louis exposition, 

 having spent two weeks there. It is impossible for me to describe it ; 

 one must see the exposition to realize how great an institution it is ; 

 no line of business has been neglected, and the horticultural depart- 

 ment is just one among the many. 



When one enters the horticultural building he cannot help but 

 feel that the fruit industry has been well cared for. The Palace of 

 Horticulture is 400 by 800 feet and was erected at a cost of $228,000. 

 In it nearly every state, as well as several foreign countries, are 

 represented. There is that rivalry between the different states that 

 makes the exposition what it is. A great deal of time and money has 

 been spent by the exhibitors, and no one can visit the horticultural 

 hall without realizing to some extent what the fruit industry of this 

 country is. 



We expect to see large displays from such states as California, 

 Washington and New York, but when people come to the Minnesota 

 exhibit, many not being familiar with what is being done in Minne- 

 sota are surprised that we really grow fruit here, and there is 

 where we are showing that Minnesota is fast coming to the front 

 with her fruit products. It is surprising how many people, even 

 right here in our own state, know so little of our fruit industry. 

 Our exhibit attracts a great deal of attention and receives very 

 favorable comment. 



When the boxes of Wealthy were opened and were found to be 

 nearly all sound, it gave me even greater faith in it than I had be- 

 fore. I think no apple has received more comment than the Wolf 

 River. We know the quality is not as good as many others, but 



