438 ANNUAL REPORT 



four species, viz. : larva of European butterfly, cabbage plusia, 

 zebra caterpillar aud a smaller one that I have not had time to 

 look up. The European butterfly was not as plentiful as in past 

 years; in fact early in the season they were rare, and we are led 

 to hope that some parasite is doing effective work toward their 

 subjugation. The plusia was the most plentiful of the four. 



A new insect committed depredations upon strawberry plants 

 at La Crescent, eating the leaves entirely away except the ribs, 

 causing considerable destruction. Small flea beetles were found 

 upon the plants and the mischief is laid to them; but so far no 

 investigation has taken place. As a rule potato beetles did not 

 do so much damage as usual. This report is from Southeast 

 Minnesota. 



The following report was made by Mr. Harris: 



THE SOUTHERN MIN^N^ESOTA FAIR. 



The above fair was held at Rochester the first week in Sep- 

 tember, during the week preceding the state fair, and in most 

 departments was a marked success, especially so in the horticul- 

 tural department. The floral exhibit filled the entire centre of 

 the main exhibition hall, and was one of the most beautiful and 

 attractive features in the building. The competitive entries 

 numbered eighty-two. Smith & Darling, commercial florists of 

 Winona, were the most extensive exhibitors. Their plants were 

 healthy and well grown, and the collection embraced the rarest 

 and most popular of Flora's bright gems. The place and man- 

 ner in which they were arranged for display added greatly to 

 their attraction and conspicuity. H. W. Stedman, Mrs. J. Hyde 

 and D. C. Dewitt of Rochester, all made extensive and very 

 complete exhibits of collections. Mrs. M. Luther, Mrs. C. A. 

 "Whited, Mrs. H. Stern, Mrs. Neiston, Smith, Cook, and others, 

 made fine displays in specialties. The collections and displays 

 of apples were fine, but being shown in a low, unattractive, 

 poorly lighted building, cramx3ed for room, for an artistic dis- 

 play, more than half the value as an object lesson and telling 

 feature of the fair, was lost. The number of entries in the apple 

 department was one hundred and seventy-two, including six 

 large and complete collections. The exhibitors of collections 

 were A. W. Sias, Rochester; Wm. Somerville, Viola; E. H. S. 



