Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-13
Agricultural Hall.

Agricultural Hall.
In the Fair Notes" of last issue we
mentioned our purpose to make fur
ther mention of this exhibit at the
Fair. This department is annually
growing in Importance and this year
contained several exhibits which
were worthy of special mention.
There were two exhibits of fruit,
one from the New Oregon nursery
and one from Oak Lawn nursery,
either of which were never excelled
at county fair and were fully equal
to exhibits at the state fairs.
Mr.. Mitchell, in his exhibit from
the New Oregon Nursery had about
ITO varieties Of apples alone on exhi-
bition, Russians and natives, and
they were fine and smooth appear
ing lot and credit to any nursery or
nurseryman and to the county in
which they were produced. Several
of the finest varieties were seedlings
originated by this veteran nursery
man. Plates of fall and winter apples
bore first premium tags. Samples of
other fruits, both fresh and canned,
were on exhibit, and also cluster of
ripe peaches grown in his nursery,
one of which we were permitted to
sample and found it sweet and delic-
ious to the taste.
Bents & Upton, proprietors of the
Oak Lawn Nursery, had large dis
play Of the products of their nursery
orchard and seed farm. Nearly half
the hall was occupied by their exhibit.
The display of fruit was neatly ar
ranged and consisted of fresh fruit of
the kinds now in season and canned
specimens of the various small fruits
they raise, all plainly labeled with
their true name. The display of ap-
pies alone comprised about 1S0 named
varieties, all grown at their orchards,
and on which they were awarded all
the first premiums except those given
as previously noted, to Mr.. Mitchell.
It was a remarkably fne display and
the fine appearance OF the fruit was
remarked by all who looked at the
display. The display of grapes was
fine, and sample handed us was
found to be better in flavor and
sweeter than any shipped in and now
on the market. This firm is certainly
making a success of introducing and
growing a fine quality of fruit hither.
to thought unsuited to successful cul
ture in this latitude. Surmounting
their display was a gigantic b & Z
made of transcendants. Their seed
and vegetable display was large. A
large case containing various seeds
arranged in contrasting colors, and
surmounted by the firm name design
ed from various colored corn, at the
head of the exhibit was novel and
catchy display of what would other.
wise be rather uninterest.
ing exhibit. A large and
fine display of corn bore first premi.
um tag as also their entire display OF
vegetables of which, like the animals
in Noah's Ark there were two speci
mems of each. Their entire exhibit
showed care and skill in arrangement
and the effect on the observer would
be good without the enhancement Of
the first premium tags.
Joseph Kapler of the North Iowa
Seed Farm had fine display consist
ing almost entirely of novelties which
possess merit for the farmers of this
locality and should be investigated
Among them were the new hullless
oats, Turkish wheat, q very fine
variety which had first premium
tag attached, the Idaho pea, new
thing and a very prolific bearer, the
grass pea, California Lima pea, anG
several other varieties of farm seeds
which he is testing and raising. Du
ring our trips to the hall we missed
seeing Mr.. Kapler and in so doing
doubtless failed to note something
which might be of more interest thar
that noted.
The exhibit of Sardas Sutton wal
chiefly conspicuous as embracing {
display of celery which looked a.
though Kalamazoo celery might have
some competition from Cresco in thu
near future.
T. V. Stillwell and other farmer
had very good displays of vegetables
which with the Korn King, seated Of
his throne, made fine display whicl
entirely filled the hall which but
) few years ago was made TO contai
all the departments now assigned il
as we'll as the departments no,
assigned to Floral Hall.