The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-05-25
FROM IDAHO HEADQUARTERS.
Oar Glorious State 0rening
the Eyes of Thousands.
Utah EIetires from Hope
less Competition.

! IDAHO STATE BUILDING, JACK
SON PARK, CHICAGO, May 20.
1t will be most gratifying to the
people at home to know that 1daho's
fruit exhibit ranks among the very
first in the Horticultural Department
ut the Columbian Exposition. This
is not an individual opinion, for it is
the verdict of thousands of visitors
that Idaho fruit is excelled by no
other country in the world. These
visitors, too, come from every quarter
of the globe. A gentleman from
London, looking at cluster of Idaho
plums the other day, said: 81 have
travelled all around the world, and l
never before have seen anything to
equal that" But the greatest sur
prise is not that Idaho raises such
fine fruit, but that she grows any
fruit at all Not more than one in
hundred thinks of Idaho except as
cold barren country, and people
can hardly believe that such semi
tropical fruits come from a state SO
far north.
Last week Judge Babcock, under
the auspices of the horticultural
Department, commenced the exami
nation of winter apples, for the pur
pose of giving awards Idaho was
the second on the list to be judged,
Oregon being first. This order was
propably taken because Oregon and
Idaho were the first two to have
their exhibits in place, and were the
only two that were anywhere near
ready for the opening day. There
, was a great deal of expectancy on
the part of the exhibitors for winter
apple test. 1t was the first examin
alton of the Fair, and those with poor
exhibits dreaded the result, while
those with fair displays thought
. partiality would be shown, and
many rumors were set afoat. Idaho
had kept her best apples for this test.
After the close of the Fair at O. CLOCK
for the day, our men worked til
midnight taking the apples from
their paper wrappers, and arranging
them for the Judges coming next
! day. President Blalook, of the
Washington State Commission, asked
next morning when he beheld the
new lot: "When are you fellows
' going to quit running in surprises OF
us?'' Indeed, he could well ask th'
question, for before him was a beau
tiful display that excelled anythins
else in the Horticultural Hall. Ar
. ranged on shelves, making first
triangle of light apples, and next
dark one, were three or four hundre
plates, four apples to plate th
70 !, Blue Pearmain, the Winesap, tn
Red checked Pippin, and a score o
- other varieties, looking as fresh q
when picked from the trees in Idah
last Autumn. 1t was truly a temp
ting sight, and despite the vigilane
of attendants and guards, hand
some specimen would now and the
y disappear, some visitor getting til
credit of being unable to withstan
the temptation. They certainl
found they tasted as good as the
looked, for the few that have bee
permitted to try the apples have d.
clared they have never eaten bette
- Idaho is sure to get medal for b,
= apples Judge Babcock said s
himself. His words were, viii
talking with friends before enterir
upon his duties: "ldaho, Was
ington and Oregon each ought
'u " have gold medal" There are 1
,rd competitive awards made at tt
Columbian Exposition. Each e,
hibit is judged on its own merit
not compared with any other, al
every one that is found worthy
a given a medal.
So Commissioner Wells is certa
to bring home next fall, for no aware
will be made till the close of the K
49, position, medal for Idaho Wint
apples Each fruit will be examin
' ~ ~ in its season, and Idaho may obts
BILE. many medals, for her peaches q
'ea har pears and plums and many 9th
fruits are just as good as her apple
no. CONTINUED on second page.