Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-21
CLOSE OF BIG FRUIT SHOW
Conceded on Every Hand to Have
Have Been a Success.
COMPLIMENTS BY EXHIBITORS
Management Has Not Figured Up TO
Ascertain How stand,
but Hopeful It VIII
Pay out.

The first annual fruit show under the
auspices OF the National Horticultural con-
gress came to a close Saturday night. That
the show was an unqualified success Is
conceded by all who visited It. Whether
the financial end was as equally successful
will not be known for several days, as 1t
will take some time to square up the sc-
counts, but the management is hopeful
that the receipts will cover the expenses.
While the fruit show proper came to
a close last night, It was decided to keep
the Auditorium open this afternoon and
Covalt's band will give a sacred concert,
beginning at 2 o'clock. The doors will be
opened at / p. m. The management de-
cided that the free list would be entirely
suspended this afternoon.
The attendance last night was good, but
during the afternoon the crowd was not
as large as had been hoped for.
J. p. Hess, the retiring president of the
National Horticultural congress-, expressed
himself last evening as fully satisfied with
the first attempt to hoid a national fruit
exhibition. He said: The National Hor-
ticultural congress was not formed for
the purpose of being a money maker, but
for the betterment generally of agricul-
ture and horticulture and for the purpose
Of creating and stimulating a keener in
terest in horticultural subjects. We hoped
by II to inspire a greater degree of respect
In the precepts of friendly competition for
the mutual benefit of both the farmer and
the fruit grower. But, above all, we hoped
that there would be a great and lasting
good realized through its influence. May
the prosperity of our growers and the
advancement of horticulture in our coun-
try be evidence of the result Of this, our
first effort. 1 believe 1 can safely say
that all those connected with the promo
ton and management Of this big under
taking have learned many things which
will be of material benefit when the time
comes to prepare for the show next year.
The fruit show next year promises to be
the biggest thing ever attempted or even
seen in this section of the country"
Dates for Next Year.
At the meeting yesterday morning of the
newly elected board of directors of the
National horticultural congress, it was
decided to hold the next fruit show under
the auspices of the congress the week of
November Is to 81. Council Bluffs had al
ready been selected as the place for hold
ing the show.
w. s. Keeline. the newly elected presi-
/ dent, was authorized 70 appoint a COM
mittee of five members on program and
a committee of like number on rules and
premiums.
Many OF the details for the 1909 meeting
were discussed more or less informally
| and it was decided that a number of
changes in the method of conducting the
show should be made. The consensus of
opinion was that silver trophies. gold. silver
and bronze medals should be given as
premiums and prizes In place of cash.
1t was decided to raise the membership
fee from 81 to 50 and to limit the number
of free admissions to members.
C.. p. Close, in charge of the Maryland
state exhibit. paid the management of the
congress a neat compliment at the meet
ing of the directors, The Maryland ex-
hibit captured $136 in cash premiums, as
we'll as a SIS merchandise premium. The
money and merchandise premium was pre-
sented by Mr.. Close to the congress, with
the suggestion that they would make a
starter" for next years show.
THE Maryland State Horticultural so.
ciety,' said Mr.. Close. wishes to extend &c
the congress and to it's management IT,
appreciation for the courtesy shown at thi.
meeting. / have been Instructed to turr
over to the treasurer of the organization
all the premiums won by us at this exposi
ton, and 1t Is with extreme pleasure tina
donate to the congress the s196 won by
us in premiums"
Congratulatory talks were made by Jane,
N. Irwin, editor of the st. Joseph Frui
Grower; ]. B. Cummins, representative from
the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. an,
Prof. r. s. Northrop of Salt Lake City.
Announcement was made that E. II. Shep
ard. publisher of Better Fruit, Hood River
Orer would offer a silver trophy foP tn,
best five boxes Of apples at the 1909 show
A partial list Of vice presidents for 100
was selected. two from each state beini
named. Tae list will be added TO from
time to time until completed.
Senior Dominguez Of Mexico, who has beeI
in attendance at the National Corn exposi
ton in Omaha. visited the National Horti
cultural congress yesterday morning II
company with Gurdon W. Wattles, "Won
derful. wonderful. II is marvellous wha
America can do and has done in the agri
cultural world" exclaimed the distinguish,
visitor when he entered the auditorium
{ building and secured his first glimpse o
the big display of apples and other fruits
, ]. T. Jones, president of the Tennessei
. State Horticultural society. was anothe
, distinguished visitor at the show yesterday
2 He stopped off here enroute home from tn
, National Apple show at Spokane.