CHAPTER XII 
FRUIT SHOWS 
Objects.—F ruit shows are one of the more recent de- 
velopments in horticultural progress. Every fruit-pro- 
ducing section now boasts of its big shows, and so impor- 
tant have they become that they must be considered as 
an essential branch of the fruit industry. The objects 
to be obtained by such exhibitions may be classified under 
three heads: (1) To advertise some fruit or fruit-pro- 
ducing section. (2) To stimulate an interest in fruit 
growing. (3) To disseminate knowledge. All three are 
worthy objects and past results have justified the claim 
that fruit shows are a good criterion of the energy and 
ability of the people giving them. 
Fruit exhibits give the growers a chance to get to- 
gether, display their products and to match their skill 
with their neighbors in the production of fancy fruit. 
This stimulates an interest in the business and creates a 
desire on the part of the weak or unskilled ones to grow 
better fruit. The display of varieties, the kinds of packs 
and the style of packages gives the growers a chance to 
observe and make use of those suited to their needs. 
Occasionally programs are arranged on topics of interest 
along horticultural lines; thus knowledge is spread. 
Buyers are attracted to the shows, and sales are often 
made during the exhibition. Newspapers send their re- 
porters and, if of sufficient importance to warrant, con- 
siderable space is given to the show. Prospective in- 
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