HISTORY OF HORTICULTTTIIE IN MINNESOTA. 29 



consisted of Messrs. A. A. Hubbard, of Medford, K. A. Mott and Wm. 

 Wheeler, of Faribault. 



J. W. Harkness, Corresponding Secretary, read communications which he 

 had received from Messrs. J. R. Kepner, Little Valley; J. S. Harris, La Cres- 

 cent; Samuel Bates, Stockton; D. A. Robertson, St. Paul, and B. L. Day, 

 Hastings expressing regret that they could not be present, and making 

 valuable suggestions with respect to the fruit-growing interest. 



On motion of R. A. Mott, the President was empowered to arrange an 

 order of discussion for the various topics. 



J. W. Harkness was elected Secretarj^, pro tern. 



On motion of Mr. Hamilton, a committee of three was appointed by the 

 chair, to report a revised constitution at the next meeting. The committee 

 consisted of Messrs. Hamilton, of Winona, Harkness, of Faribault, and Elliot, 

 of Minneapolis. 



The President announced the following programme for discussion, with 

 time to be devoted to each proposition : ist. — The question of receiving aid 

 from the Legislature, and the propriety of sending to Europe for hardy stocks 

 and seeds — 30 minutes. 2nd. — The holding of a State Fruit Exhibition — 15 

 minutes. 3d. — Best methods of securing organization of Branch Fruit Asso- 

 ciations, and promoting an interest in fruit growing among the people — 15 

 minutes. 4th. — Best varieties of apples — 30 minutes. 5th. — Methods of culti- 

 vation — 30 minutes. 6th. — Grapes — 30 minutes. 



QUESTIONS DISCUSSED AT LENGTH. 



The discussion of the first question was opened by R. A. Mott, Esq. He 

 thought something should be done for the fruit growing interest of the State. 

 He read an extract from Col. Robertson's Address before the Society last year, 

 with reference to the practicability of securing hardy trees from Sweden and 

 Russia. He thought Col. R. was right. The experience of our fruit growers 

 in attempting to make native varieties succeed, had been very unfavorable. 

 Judge Berry estimated that he had spent enough time and money in experi- 

 menting in fruit trees to have furnished himself with all the apples his family 

 would need for twenty-five years. He had set out trees and had better 

 experience than the rest, for he had produced one little, hard apple. Gentle- 

 men from Winona, Wabasha and La Crescent had sent specimens of fruit 

 they had raised ; but the proximity of their river renders their location more 

 favorable than Faribault, It was to be questioned whether these varieties 

 would succeed in all sections of the State, and under all circumstances. It 

 seemed to Mr. M. that the people of Minnesota feel interest enough in this 

 subject to bear the expense of sending to Europe to import hardy kinds. 

 Our State expended last year $10,000 to promote immigration; most of 

 which was spent in printing a pamphlet to tell about Minnesota. Now let 

 the State do something for this object. We should s^nd some gentleman 

 competent to decide upon character of soil, similarity of climate, and adap- 

 tation of varieties to our soil. 



