COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. 289 



tion. They would be interesting- as showing- the present condition 

 of the development of the fruit industry of our state. 



I have spoken in my previous reports of the erection of our booth 

 at Chicago, which was completed late in March, 1893. Regarding- 

 this the Chicago Inter-Ocean of March 24, 1893, said : 



"Minnesota's Fkuit Exhibit. — Wonderful Display being made by 

 THE POMOLOGISTS OF THE NORTH.— Ill the south Curtain of the horticultural 

 buildinjf Minnesota is preparing an extremely interesting poniological exhibit. 

 This display takes added interest from the fact that Minnesota is the extreme 

 Northern state where pomaceous fruits are perfectly developed. More than 500 

 square feet have been assigned that state, and A. \V. Latham, secretary of the 

 Minnesota State Horticultural Society, under whose auspices the collection was 

 made, is now superintending the work of installation. An appropriation of $r),(XX) 

 was made by the Minnesota Legislature for the exhibit, which consists of every 

 variety of fruit grown in the state, including apples, plums, pears, grapes, 

 peaches, and small fruits of all kinds. 



"The exhibit occupies the central portion of the east side, and from the unique 

 manner of its arrangement will be one of the most attractive displaj-s iu the 

 section devoted to pomology. Shelves will be arranged inside the pavilion to 

 accommodate 700 plates of frviit. The shelves will be backed by mirrors which 

 will reflect light upon the fruit, therebj' heightening their colors and producing 

 an illusion as to the number of specimens on each plate. Kefrigerator cases will 

 be used to show the different fruits in season, and a large refrigerator, twenty- 

 three feet long, will demonstrate the cold storage methods of preserving the 

 luscious morsels. A collection of pliotographs of fruit scenes in Minnesota will 

 form part of the exhibit. 



"At each side of the main exhibits will be placed revolving stands five feet 

 wide and eight feet high. They will be kept in constant motion by electric 

 motors. Upon them, in pyramid form, will be placed small fruits, and at the base 

 of the pyramid will be native flowering plants and trailing vines. Everything 

 employed in preparing for the exhibit is from Minnesota, including the lumber, 

 paint, and hardware, and the work is done by artisans brought here from that 

 state. To Minnesota is due the credit and praise of being the first exhibitor 

 in the section of pomology to build a structure for exhibit." 



During the month of May a number of notices of our exhibit ap- 

 peared in the press, a few of which I have thought worth preserving- 

 in connection with this report, especially as they were unsolicited: 

 {Chicago Evening Journal, May 10, 1893.) 



" Minnesota has an exhibit of fruit which is more interesting than many a 

 larger display on account of the large number of new varieties which it contains, 

 and the presence of many fruits one would hardly expect to find in such a lati- 

 tude. - In Minnesota they dig around the peach trees before the winter comes, and 

 bending them down, cover them with earth to protect them from the frost. The 

 'Wealthy' apple is a fair sample of the many new varieties produced to suit the 

 climate of Minnesota." 



{lylinneapolis Tribune, Max ^-. 1S93.) * 



" The Minnesota horticultural exhibit is a source of great pride to Minnesotians, 

 because it embraces in the display several original ideas of A. W. Latham, in 

 charge, not embraced in the exhibit of any other state. 



" M'innesota was the first state to choose space in this building and was enabled 

 to secure a very favorable location. The exhibit is placed on shelves rising in the 

 shape of a pyramid, underneath which is a large ice storage room. This will keep 

 the fruits arid flowers always fresh. The display of fruits is very choice, and the 

 tasteful decoration of the shelves with cut and potted flowers makes it very at- 

 tractive to all visitors. Above the exhibit is arranged a system of mirrors, which 

 reflects the display back to the observer, making it appear t-^ice as large as it 

 really is. At each end of the central exhibit is a revolving pyramid kept in motion 

 by an electric motor on which is displayed the choicest specimens of flowers and 

 fruits in glass jars. Mr. Latham has also arranged a reception room close by his 

 exhibit which is always kept cool by the cold storage room. The ideas of the 

 whole exhibit are novel and exclusive." 



(Minneapolis Journal, May 17, 1893.) 



" The Minnesota exhibit is all in readiness for visitors now and is the most com- 

 plete of any at the fair. Great interest is being manifested by the Chicago visi- 

 tors in the fruit display from this state. The apples selected rank well with those 

 in any of the other horticultural exhibits and are attracting much attention." 



{Erie, Pa., Morning Dispatch, May 24, 1893.) 



" Minnesota makes a good and attractive sho-wing. The arrangement of the ex- 

 hibit was made according to the ideas of Mr. A. W. Latham , secretary of the State 



