The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-27

The horticultural exhibits at the Min
nesota state fairs have reputation for
being unusually fine for Northern state.
Despite the handicap of reputation, i'll
deserved, Of being an Impossible fruit
state, Minnesota has been raising some
or the finest fruit in the country for
many years past. And at the coming
fair, which opens at Hamline, on Sept
3, the exhibit will be more than ever a
practical example of the possibilities Of
the state in this line of husbandry. The
display will be luscious and tempting.
and will attract great deal of attention.
but there is another side to the display
which is not always remembered This
| is Its educational feature. The farmers
! of the state might profit much more
than they do if they would study the
fruit exhibits at the fair with care, and
by questioning and observing learn how
they themselves might go and do like
wise. Something of the value of the fruit
exhibits is told in the following letter
from an old-time horticulturist, A. K.
Bush, of Dover Mimi, who knows we'll
what he is talking about:
II wish to say that the great annual
exhibition of products of the farms and
factories Of Minnesota at our state fair
should be@regarded as one of our best
and most practical educational institu-
items and should be more generally at
tended by all, for it's educational fea-
lures, as well as for it's most excellent
entertainments, which are now of the
same high quality as characterizes all
its exhibits. In fact the state fair with
its large patronage by the state, its gen
erous aid and support by the Twin Cities,
with its thoroughly qualified board of di-
rectors, is no longer an experiment, but
an assured success, which must please
| and entertain any one for the entire
week
Il wish to call special attention to its
value TO the fruit grower and horticur-
turist Under the supervision of Mr.
Underwood, Horticultural hall will have
many special attractions, as did the
dairy hall last season, as all will remem-
| Der who attended the fair and saw the
most artistic and best butter display
ever put up on the grounds, secured by
Mr.. Underwood, much to his credit as
we'll as to the exhibitors. I refer to this
as an index to what he is doing for the
horticultural department to please and
instruct visitors this year. This depart
ment will be the home of the leading
horticulturists and representative fruit
growers of this state, and, in fact, the
entire Northwest, because they feel they
cannot afford to miss these opportuni-
ties Of comparing notes, as well as fruits.
and each profting by the experience of
the others
Now If the professional fruit grower Is
so much benefited, the amateur should
attend and gather practical information
from these men who grow fruits sue
cessfully in all parts Of our state, regard
less of conditions and surroundings, these
they have overcome to an extent which
has made fruit growing possible to them
1 can assure you they will be glad to
tell you just how they did it,; there is no
patent or secret on best methods with
these fellows. If they are anxious to
monopolize all the choice seedlings in
the state, you can get their experience
for nothing, which has cost them years
OF time, much Encouragement and lots
of money, and will save you ali this if
you profit by doing likewise.
The large premiums offered by the fair
the 500 offered by ]. w. Thomas & Co,
of Minneapolis, for "sWeepstakes'' on
apples, the $1,000 offered by the Minnesota
State Horticultural society for a Seeding
apple which in quality shall equal the
Wealthy, keep like the Malinda and be
as hardy and productive in trees as the
Duchess, all tend to call out a very large
display of apples. These can be ex-
amined and tested by people wo are
anxious to know more of varieties, givins
them much better knowledge Of the
same; this will apply to all such fruits
as can be placed on the tables at this
occasion.
The display of native canned fruits and
fruit products has many practical les
sons to the people who can grow fruit.
Some one is present who can tell all wha
are interested the process by which such
excellent results are obtained. Again,
one can gain many valuable pointers
and suggestions about packing, hauling
and marketing surplus fruits from men
of experience. They know who are the
reliable and prompt commission mer.
chants; by consulting these will tell you
much about the markets, the best pack
age to use for containers for different
fruits, time and method of sending to
market, ETC. The commission merchants
who of a necessity must handle most o.
the surplus fruit grown should be better
acquainted with the people who supply
him; they are always glad to meet him
in horticultural hall at the state fair