New York State Faiu 741 



DEPARTMENT H — FRUITS 



Comviissioner in Charge, Wii.liam Pitkin, Rochester. 

 Superintendent, C. S. Wilson, Ithaca. 



That our annual exposition has come to be of great value in tlio promo- 

 tion of the large fruit growing interests of the state is no longer a matter 

 of doubt. The orchard men, tlie large state fruit societies, tlie comity 

 societies, the local granges, have become thoroughly interested, and are 

 sending us exhibits large and small, which combined to make the fruit show 

 at the 1010 fair the greatest ever known in this state, and one of the best 

 ever exhibited in the country, if we may be guided by the many compli- 

 mentary expressions of visitors, whose expert knowledge and experience make 

 them competent judges. 



The department was seriously handicapped by lack of room and proper 

 modern facilities for displaying the enormous quantities of fruit sent in, 

 and it is safe to say that when the new Horticultural Building is completed 

 a fruit show second to none in^ the world can be put up. 



Many changes have been made in the premium list since 1907, and in the 

 methods of interesting exhibitors and the public. These changes have been 

 carefully considered, and results show that they have met the approval of 

 the exhibitors and patrons of the fair. Under the old method the full 

 premium list was sent out during the summer to previous exhibitors and a 

 few others, reaching them generally too late to secure their interest and 

 exhibits. \Ve are now sending out during March or April an ad- 

 vance premium list which covers only the fruit department, thus enabling 

 the possible exhibitor to arrange his plans in advance. A large increase has 

 been made in the mailing list, and circular letters are also sent to orchard- 

 ists, farmers, county societies, and local granges, urging them to make some 

 kind of an exhibit. 



The premium list was formerly carried, along from year to year with but 

 few, if any, changes, and premiums were offered for many varieties of fruit 

 which were either obsolete or so rarely found in orchards that no competi- 

 tive interest could be aroused. These items have now been eliminated and 

 the prize money so saved has been added to the Avell-known commercial 

 varieties grown in every orchard, making it possible to arouse a keen spirit of 

 competition and interest. It has also been made possible for the exhibitor 

 to send his fruit to the fair by express or otherwise, and have it properly 

 installed and displayed, if he cannot make it convenient to come and arrange 

 it himself. The small entry fee on single plates of fruit has also been 

 eliminated. These changes have added largely to the number of small indi- 

 vidual exhibits, and every prize winner is a first-class advertising medium 

 for the fair in his own neighborhood. 



In 1907 it cost $2 to enter a plate of Baldwin apples, and the first 

 premium was $1.50. In 1910 there was no entrance fee for a single plate 

 of Baldwin apples, and the first premium was $25. The advantage of this 

 change, considered from an educational view point, will be appreciated when 

 it is seen that the number of plates exhibited in 1907 was only four, and in 

 1910 the number was sixty-seven, an increase of over 1500 per cent. A like 

 increase is shown in other commercial varieties like Mcintosh, King and 



