New York 15,054,832 24,111,257 Missouri 20,040,399 6,496,436 The average number of apple trees per farm in the United States was 74.5; the same for New York was 86.2. The average production in bushels per farm in the United States was 64.8; the same for New York was 138.1. A considerable proportion of the trees in Missouri, quoted above, are young trees, and the relative products will soon show far different results unless New York fruit growers awake to the situation. In all of the western fruit growing states the annual planting of young trees is rapidly increasing, a precaution which our fruit growers are not taking to any great extent. Moreover, the lack of interest on the part of New York growers in expositions and the opportunity there afforded for advertising the superiority of New York products is a subject for comment. It is in marked contrast to the interest and progressive spirit of the growers in the western states who never lose such an opportunity, and are gradually working into the front ranks of fruit production. In many of the western states no public funds nor machinery were provided for a horticultural exhibit at St. Louis, but very creditable exhibits were prepared, the entire expense of the same being borne by fruit growers' associations. In marked contrast is a rather unfortunate precedent heretofore adopted in the State of New York, and of necessity followed at St. Louis, viz.: That the State, in order to obtain a creditable exhibit, must pay a fancy price for fruit for exhibition purposes and allow the seller to receive the award upon fruit which is no longer his own property. THE STAFF In addition to the superintendent the staff connected with the department consisted of James G. Patterson, of Sheridan, assistant superintendent; John W. Coughtry, of New Scotland, and Sherman T. Lewis, of Johnsonburg, assistants in charge of fruit exhibit; A. M. Loomis, of Fredonia, assistant in charge of viticulture, and Miss Bessie J. Hutchinson, of Rochester, stenographer. One and all they served the Commission and the State faithfully and efficiently. AWARDS