COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 283 



some impression, though more or less transitory, in regard to the 

 fruit-growing facilities or our state. 



The exhibit has been kept up from the start until now in practic- 

 ally the same condition, renewals of the fresh apples having been 

 made as often as necessary by drawing from the stock in cold 

 storage. Up to this time, of the fifteen barrels of apples stored, 

 only eight have been withdrawn, and it seems probable that the 

 stock will hold out until fresh apples from the crop of '93 are 

 read}^ to take its place. 



A few fresh strawberries have been coining in the past week, but 

 the quality is not of the best, and it is probable that our state will 

 not feel very luuch pride in this feature of the exhibit. The un- 

 fortunate character of the season,with the excessive heat and unusual 

 drouth, having dwarfed both crop and fruit to such an extent as to 

 make a first class exhibit in this line an impossibility. Still, with 

 improved methods of picking and packing, which experience is 

 rapidly teaching the shippers, we hope to make a fairly creditable 

 showing, even of straw^berries. Of the prospect of other small fruits 

 and also of fall fruits, 3'ou are as well informed as myself and can 

 judge of our probable ability in this direction. The outlook for 

 grapes, from my personal observation, I take to be excellent and 

 am very confident that in an exhibit of fall fruits^we'shall equal our 

 most sanguine hopes. 



A circular was sent out at the same time with the notice of this 

 meeting, calling attention to the award of premiums and inviting 

 the members to contribute to the exhibit with this object. As all 

 of 5'ou have seen this circular it is not necessarj- for me to refer to it 

 here, further than to emphasize the necessity of great care in the 

 selecting and shii^ping of fruit, as the standard of excellence upon 

 which awards are to be made is necessarilj^ placed very high on 

 account of the large amount of fruit which will be received there. An 

 award is more likely to be made with less critical examination upon 

 an exhibit consisting of several varieties than upon a plate of a sin- 

 gle variety. It will probably not be best, only in exceptional cases, 

 for plates of single varieties to be sent for this purpose. 



Notwithstanding the high character of the standard adopted, 

 Minnesota fruit is so superior in quality and appearance that I am 

 ver}" sanguine of our ability to secure a reasonable share of the ex- 

 position awards and shall see that full justice is done to any con- 

 tributions made to compete for premiums. 



There is such a wide field upon which to draw for this exhibit that 

 it is quite impossible for the superintendent to know in all cases 

 where the best fruit is to be had, and it will be a special favor to our 

 society and assist radically in the furtherance of this interest if any 

 of you who have one or more kinds of fruit of superior excellence in 

 size or quality, or know of any person who has such fruit, would at 

 once notify me of the variety and quantity and of whom it is to be 

 had. It is not expected that the fruit sent in this way will be con- 

 tributed gratuitously, except as fai" as you desire to do so. Funds 

 are provided with which to pay for it and the extra care required in 

 selecting and packing it; and any one from whom it is secured will 



