THE MINNESOTA 



HORTICULTURIST. 



VOL. 32. OCTOBER, 1904. No. 10. 



HORTICULTURE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR, 



1904. 



A. W. LATHAM, SUPT. HORT. 



The horticultural exhibit in connection with the Minnesota state 

 fair just closed was in some respects the most remarkable ever 

 made in the state. When it is considered that the fair was held 

 at an unusually early date and that the season for the ripening 

 of fruit was at least two weeks later than normal, and that 

 under usual conditions the fruit displayed is none too ripe, it 

 is apparent that the horticultural department was badly handi- 

 capped in its efforts to make a display up to the usual high 

 standard. In spite of these unfavorable conditions, however, that 

 the display should have been such as to satisfy the manage- 

 ment and the throng of visitors and call forth no adverse com- 

 ment or criticism, is certainly cause for congratulation. It was, of 

 course, anticipated that the fruit display would be a comparatively 

 light one, as exhibitors are exceedingly loth to exhibit unripe fruit, 

 and special efforts were consequently made to decorate and adorn the 

 hall to cover up as fully as possible the anticipated defects, and the 

 results were almost all that could have been desired. Most of the 

 grapes and many of the plums displayed were absolutely green, 

 though they colored up some as the fair progressed ; and most varie- 

 ties of apples were only two-thirds grown and nowhere near in pos- 

 session of that high color which is so large a factor in the beauty 

 of Minnesota fruits. Even the early ripening sorts, as the Duchess 

 and others of that time of ripening, lacked much of being up to the 

 usual standard, there being a noticeable decrease in size and color 

 below the fruitage of ordinary seasons. 



