Final Report of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

by Louisiana Purchase Exposition Commission

Subsequently the Georgia commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition
donated the entire furnishings of the State building to the Georgia
Industrial Home at Macon, Ga., the only nonsectarian orphanage in the
State.

The resolution creating the appropriation for the installation and exhibit of Georgia products, which was approved August 17, 1903, provided—

That the sum of thirty thousand dollars should be appropriated, to be expended in collecting and permanently preserving specimens of minerals, granite, clays, kaolin, marble, iron, and such other minerals and precious stones as may abound in or are found within the State; to further collect specimens of the field and forest, mills and mines, orchards and vineyards of this State, and such other matters and things pertaining to the character and the productiveness of the soils of Georgia; that when the specimens aforesaid were collected they should be deposited in the State museum, there to be safely kept and displayed; and that the exhibit thus collected should be displayed at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, Missouri.

IDAHO.

Members of Idaho commission.—Gov. J.T. Morrison; James E. Steele, president; R.W. McBride, vice-president; Mrs. W.H. Mansfield, secretary; Martin J. Wessels, Idaho section Forestry Building; Dr. Harold J. Read; Clarence B. Hurtt, executive commissioner; Miss Anne Sonna; Miss Genevieve Vollmer.

Idaho was represented by a State building and by exhibits in four of the great exhibit palaces of the exposition. The building was situated upon the elevated ground east of the Palace of Agriculture, and the surroundings made it one of the most attractive spots of the exposition. The Idaho Building was not big or imposing, but there were few State buildings on the World's Fair grounds that excited more interest or inquiry. The building was a bungalow with an open court, in which were grass and bright flowers. The structure, which was 60 feet square, was but 1 story high and contained ten rooms. The roof was of red tile and the exterior of cream-colored staff. The interior finish served to show the utility of Idaho woods for this particular use. Transparencies and mounted photographs illustrated the vast forest resources of the State. Around the court a row of heavy columns supported the overhanging roof, and a wide cloister behind the columns, paved with brick, afforded a charming resting place. At the close of the exposition the building was sold to a citizen of Texas, who is to have it reerected on his ranch, and it will still bear the name of "Idaho."

The exhibits of the State were shown in the departments of Education,
Mining, Agriculture, and Horticulture. The State appropriation for the
World's Fair was $25,000.

While not boasting a large acreage under cultivation, Idaho was a competitor at the World's Fair with the best of her sisters in the quality of her field products. The exhibit in the Palace of Agriculture was impartially chosen and fairly represented all parts of the State where agricultural interests have a foothold. In the exhibit were 47 varieties of wheat, 41 varieties of oats, 32 varieties of flax—the only specimen of white flaxseed known to exist, from the farm of Alonzo McWillis, of Rosetta, who received a gold medal for his exhibit. Wheat was shown weighing 62 to 64 pounds to the bushel in comparison with the standard of 60 pounds. Idaho barley weighs 53 to 54 pounds to the bushel, while the standard is but 48. A bunch of alfalfa of the second cutting was received early in October and was more than 6 feet high. Displays of beans of many varieties, peas, corn, alfalfa, and clover seed all indicated the resourcefulness of Idaho soil.

It was not practicable to show Idaho melons, strawberries, and small fruits in fresh condition, but a display with a showy array of canned fruits and dried fruits of favorite sorts attracted attention. Idaho potatoes of the 5-pound class were a part of the exhibit, along with turnips, carrots, parsnips, onions, and other vegetables. There was a small showing also of popcorn, sweet corn, and the field varieties.

The effort to make a complete fruit exhibit on behalf of Idaho had its justification in the wide advertising its fruit and agricultural lands would receive from an effective presentation of the products of the many fine orchards of the State. The exhibit contained many surprises, such as the soft-shell almonds. Idaho's grape display was a surprise to many of the States. In the exhibit were about a dozen varieties that are new in this country, the vines of which were brought from Persia and other eastern Mediterranean countries. Among these were the Hunisa, a dark grape which is regarded as a distinct gain to the Pacific slope grape-growing interests because of its fine flavor and sweetness and good keeping qualities.