The agricultural exhibit comprised an extensive collection of samples of different varieties of pease and beans; a large exhibit of seeds; an exhibit of grains in stalk, tastefully arranged; an exhibit of grains and corn; also a cabinet of pickled goods; a large exhibit of salt; condensed-milk products; a complete exhibit in season of vegetables from different counties of Michigan. The sugar-beet industry was represented by samples of beets and of sugar in its various processes. The maple-sirup industry of Michigan and the pepper industry were likewise represented by cabinets containing samples of the products. This exhibit was installed, complete, on a space 40 by 40 feet.
The horticultural exhibit comprised a space covering 2,500 square feet of tables. For its first installation there were used 100 bushels of apples grown in 1903, which had been kept in cold storage for this, purpose. It comprised a collection of over 100 varieties of Michigan fruit. With the coming of 1904 fruit, a complete exhibit of fresh apples was installed from time to time, comprising over 150 varieties of apples, requiring as many as 1,500 plates at one time, with many varieties of grapes, peaches, plums, pears, quinces, and cherries. A. large exhibit was also made of small fruit, raspberries, strawberries, currants, and huckleberries. The exhibits were made by individuals, by counties, and by local fair associations of the State.
The forestry exhibit was collected through the generosity and contributions of a committee. It was a complete exhibit of Michigan lumber, showing the rough log and the finished board, both in lumber and in transverse sections. There were also displayed samples of the different products which are manufactured from the log, such as shoe-last blocks, wooden utensils, paper, paper pulp, etc., and there was also an extensive collection of photographs of forestry scenes and lumber camps, together with a complete collection of blueprints for the construction of lumber mills. It was installed in a space 50 by 20 feet, and was surrounded by natural cedar railings.
The mines and metallurgy exhibit comprised exhibits of the iron, copper, and salt products, cement, manufactures of lime and sand, brick, and an extensive collection of specimens of various minerals found in Michigan. The copper mines were represented by samples of rock, minerals, and tailings, models of shaft houses, and manufactured copper. The iron industry was represented by upward of 100 samples of ore of various ranges. These were classified and shown in the various ranges and stages of their production from the rock to the finished product. The cement industry was well represented. Coal of the Saginaw Valley was installed in a 6-foot wall in the booth. An extensive and very valuable collection of over 1,500 specimens were shown in cases. Three large geographical maps showed the location of the different ranges, and photographs of mining scenes supplemented the exhibit.
In the educational exhibit the University of Michigan was represented by a main exhibit in the Education Building and by a small exhibit of the physical-culture work of women in the Physical Science Building. In the Educational Building a space 22 1/4 by 30 feet was assigned to the university, having frontage on two aisles. On this space a booth was erected, built of cypress and stained to resemble weathered oak. Within the booth the floor was stained a dark color, and upon it were spread carefully selected oriental rugs of strong coloring. The furniture was of the "arts and crafts" style. It may be said that the chief motive of the committee having charge of the exhibit was to provide a rest room or social headquarters for the alumni and students of the university and their friends.
There were placed upon exhibition several hundred volumes containing the chief publications of members of the various faculties, also reprints of scientific articles, these and a series of books showing the work of the university bindery.
The engineering department was represented by numerous rolls of large-scale blueprints, by an album of photographs specially prepared, and by a large and attractive sample board of student shop-work. To illustrate the equipment in marine engineering there were presented two models of vessels and a model of the large marine tank which is now in process of completion.
In the Educational Building could also be found cabinets showing the method of collecting vital statistics of the department of the State of Michigan and cabinets exhibiting the work of the School for the Feeble-Minded, of Kalamazoo, and a cabinet of the School for the Deaf and Dumb, of Flint.
A Michigan furniture company, interested in the exposition through the efforts of the commission, expended over $25,000 in the installation of a magnificent exhibit of furniture in the Department of Varied Industries, making the most complete collection of furniture shown by any American firm.