, 1872-12-18
KANSAS.
The War Of Fruits Between E1is-
souri, and Kansas.
The Border .Pomologists ConGuerlnsg',
and to Conquer.
spseial Co,yespondencc Of The Chicago Tribune.
r..-1. r,r Tor II 1870

[pf1t$r071QEUcE
TOPEKA Ean., Der. 13, 1872.
In nv last letter, brought the proceedings Of
4ha State Horticultural Society up to the receiy-
ing OF the report Of the Chairman (Dr. Honsley)
If the Committee appointed to visit Now York
with Kansas fruits. It will be remembered that,
Mt the State Fair Of Kansas held at Topeka in
1871. your correspondent telegraphed the fact
that Missouri had beaten Kansas in fruit-show
at her own Fair. It seems this fact was also
transmitted on tho wings Of lightning to
her own citizens, who moved Immediately
to retrieve the mistake. At the winter
meeting Of this Society, held at Lawrence year
ago, Mr. Murtfeldt, OF ST. Louis, referred to the
fact OF K2nEas having been caught mapping and
beaten on the show Of fruits on her own ground.
This increased the anxiety for her dearly-won
1aurels at Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Rich
nond, and other places; and hence this contest,
and the efforts Of Kansas to show, by repeated
exhibitions in the Eastern cities that her former
efforts and successes we're not " chance-shots,"
but that what had been accomplished could be
repeated ad libituna-
Hence the expedition for which DR.. Eousley
reported. The kansas Agricultural Society
offered premium of 500 for the best show Of
fruits, open to competition By States, counties;
or DISTRICTS and thus challenged each and all for
the championship. Missouri took up the gaunt-
let, sent out 3 circular to the fruit-growers to
contribute their products Of orchards and vine
yards, and came to tho Topeka State Fair in
September last. It is claimed that the lateness
of the issuing of this circular Was intended to
catch Kansas mapping. but this is not 80.
Kansas had gathered her fruits to send East
but, lest che should be yanquished at home, the
fruits we're diverted to do duty at home first. and
seven barrels full and four boxes never reached
the East.
There seems to have been some feeling, as
well on the part of Kansas as Missouri, in getting
e satisfactory Committee, and also in placing the
fruits ut the Fair. Members OF the Kansas So
Missouri's representatives we're, perhaps, not al
ways in amiable humor- The fruits we're not
placed finally until Wednesday Of the Fair-week; /;
and allow me here to dgrcss so far as to say that
more magnificent exhibition Of fruits was never
made in the West, if anywhere. The Awarding
Committee first selected consisted Of Colonel
c. B. Lines. OF Wabunsee, Fan. j; l1r. Bei1fk7 Of
Pleasant Hill, no. and lr. McC1ary of Illinois.
This last-named gentleman could not then act,
because engaged in the stool-ring. Others
were solicited and declined. Finally, the COM
znittee VAS reconstructed c. B. Lines was re-
tanned Mr- Balls having stated that he could
not remain all the week, George T. Anthony, Of
the Kaxsas Farmer, was put in his place; and
Mr. McC1a1y being now at liberty was
placed third on the Committee. Kansas
came of victorious. But Missouri will not
rest the contest WILL DO removed 70 New Eng
land soil, and at the twenty-ffth anniversary Of
the American Pomological Society, also called
the silver wedding Of President Wilder and this
Association
And here allow your correspondent to make
suggestion, which, it is hoped, will catch the eye
Of some Bostonian horticulturist. Il Boston
will exhibit fruits at her Horticultural Hall upon
siluer plates, she had better give an order for
few thousand soon, SO as to have them Oh hand
when this food OF Western fruits shall arrive.
Kansas comedies that Missouri has as good
huit-soil, but claims that she has not the varie-
ties, nor the men to grow them to perfection.
We shall see.
After the conclusion Of DR.. Housley's report,
which included the expenses (account Of which
Will be found in your despatches), amounting,
in the aggregate, for both the Topeka and BoB-
ton exhibitions, to nearly 81 ,009 Mr.. Murtfeldt,
who Tas present, expressed the hope that there
wss no in-feeling on the part Of the contestants
On either side, and conplimented the Society on
its auccesses. He claimed that the unprece-
deuted acceesions to the population OF Kansas,
namely: an addition of $1,000 voters, or 200, 900
inhabitants, within the last two years, WAS
largely due to these exhibitions of fruits and
cereals made in the Eastern cities He said
many Of these new settlers had come right
across as good soil as that Of Kansas, and had
left their footprints only in Missouri.
The wonderful and rapid strides OF Kansas
are due, also, in great measure, to her en1ight-
ened system OF common schools. and to he1
laws on fencing, stock, dc. Kansas has indeed
yery bright future, and she Knows it. II.