The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-09-21

said it was only excelled there in point
of number of exhibits 1t is doubtful
whether better exhibit was ever seen
at county fair outside of an old and
long established fruit growing country
Mr.. Hotaling is surely entitled to
great credit for the interest he stirred
up in the horticultural line and it sim
ply shows what can be done in all de-
pa tments with little work.
In all there were about 500 plates of
apples shown under the large canvass
provided for the fruit exhibit, and
they embraced many fine apples. One
of the most gratifying features was
the increase of winter varieties shown,
over former exhibits indicating that
late as well as early varieties can be
grown, when hardy stock is found. The
"Wealthy's' were in the lead, and
about forty plates of this variety were
shown. For a late fall apple they are
hard to excel, and those. on exhibit
were beauties of their class.
There were also ten plates of
Duchess shown. This is rather late
in the season for this variety but they
were all good specimens
AS in the past, J. S. Parks, of Pleas
ant Mound, led in the number of vari-
cites shown, he having 100 on exhibit
He also has about 100 varieties that
he did not show. Among his exhibits
were large number of seedlings,
many of which are of very promis-
ing nature. The most noticeable in
his exhibit was winter apple called
the "Wolf River which grows large
in size, and is of fine flavor, and pro-
misses to be leading variety. AS
matter of course, Mr.. Parks took first
premium for the largest and best col
lection of apples. ]. W. Sprague, of
Mapleton, took the second premium.
Another display that deserves special
mention is that of Rott. Hynson of
Spring Island. He had ten plates of
very fine apples and though he failed
to la nd red or blue ribbon, it was a
display that attracted much attention
and one that he has reason to feel
proud Of
Peter McAllen, of Ceresco, also takes
great interest in fruit raising, and had
on exhibit fifteen plates of fine apples,
two of which deserve special mention
These were plate of Northern Spy"
and one of 'New York Pipins. " They
were large fine apples, and gave an
other illustration of the fact that win
ter apples and of the best quality can
be raised in Minnesota.
While it is getting late in the sea-
son, there were ten plates of plums
on exhibit, all of which were excel
lent specimens
There were also twelve plates of
grapes, all being fine specimens of
this luscious fruit Mr. Hotaling was
considerably disappointed in the
grape display, and feels that it does
not do the county justice.
In addition to the fine display of
Blue Earth apples was a display of 1870
plates by Ditus Day, better known as
''Grandpa" Day, of Mapleton, but
which were raised on his farm in Da-
kota county. He had the display at the
state fair, and put it in the Blue
Earth Car and brought it here, and it
added much to the attraction. Mr.
Day is one of the oldest horticulturists
in the state and takes interest in
everything pertaining to fruit. His
exhibit represented fall and winter
apples and crabs. Among those on
exhibit was one of his own propaga-
tion which was named tDitus Day" by
the horticultural society at the state
fair last week.
An interesting feature of the fruit
exhibit was pyramid of apples which
was made by Mr.. Hoatling. At the
base were large Wealthy apples, graded
smaller as they went up followed by
crabs of different variety and sizes and
capped by the wild crab and the thorn
apple 1t attracted much attention.
Another exhibit in the line of fruit,
was one from Idaho, that attracted
much attention. 1t was shown by a
party at Garden City who lately re-
turned from trip to that state. II
consisted of apples peaches, pears,
plums and grapes and was very fine
one