HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA 215. 



from the foot hills, instead or the high altitudes of the Rockies. It was 

 a matter of congratulation that this year, there were no seeds in the 

 lower altitudes on account of the iate frosts, but all that were gathered,, 

 were from the highest points, so that the plants are very all over the 

 north. 



The meeting was turned over to the Rose society under the able- 

 leadership of Mrs. D. C. Ruff of St. Paul. Mrs. Ruff is a practical, en- 

 thusiastic florist, and carries off first premiums at most of the flower 

 shows. Her husband gave a most glowing description of the modern 

 Dahlia, giving it a place of such supreme importance, that all other 

 flowers must hide their heads in its august presence, "God bless the 

 man with a fad, if it is only a worthy." 



The modern Dahlia is a glory, see what a diversity of forms and; 

 beauty has come from that little single flower of the long ago, and new 

 varieties are constantly being produced. It is all right if one has time 

 to care for it, but it needs a great deal of care. Give us the replendent 

 peony which takes care of itself. 



The meeting was greatly enlivened by the presence of Dr, H. M.. 

 Speechley of Pilot Mound, Manitoba, who came as a representative of 

 the society of that province, the doctor is a lover of nature — a poet, and. 

 an enthusiastic florist. Of course he gave us a paper of superior merit. 

 A man of his force, vivacity, and enthusiasm would cheer up the coldest, 

 region of the continent, and I doubt not flowers will spring up in his. 



The evening of December 2, the great annual banquet was held when 

 everything broke loose and there was "sense and nonsense, toasts and 

 sweets, the feast of the season and the flow of soul," but no "flowing 

 bowl." This is the great annual unbend after a strenuous season of toil 

 when a year of relaxation is packed in a few hours of fun. Wednesday 

 morning the Plant Breeders' Association held a very spirited meeting. 

 Great enthusiasm is developed in the production of iron-clad apples and 

 hundreds of promising seedlings are coming to the front. The world's, 

 leading pomologist, Charles G. Fatten of Charles City, Iowa, was there. 

 A man who wears his seventy-six years with the suppleness of youth and' 

 says he must live to be one hundred in order to complete his work. 



The Nebraska Horticultural society is exclusively devoted to horti- 

 culture. The Minnesota society has as its auxiliaries, The Rose society. 

 Plant Breeders' auxiliary. Bee Keepers' Society, Women's auxiliary, con- 

 ducted by the brightest women in the state. Then comes the foresty 

 association, which, instead of being pushed to one side is welcomed and 

 fostered and given a prominent place. The annual report which is pre- 

 pared with great care gives a complete report of all these auiliaries, 

 'They are members of the great horticural society. By their generous 

 and cordial treatment the scope of the society is greatly enlarged and 

 instead of pears, plums, apples and peaches, and then peaches, apples 

 plums, peaches and pears, the kindly arms of the society reach out 

 and gather in both the useful and the beautiful, so it has grown, 



