HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 63 



In the outset, in giving a history of Fruit Culture in Minnesota, it was 

 deemed best to endeavor to greatly condense. or abbreviate the proceeding's 

 had at the several annual meetings of the Horticultural Society ; but when 

 a close examination was made of the records to see if possible what could be 

 (jmitletl — if any thing — it was found that these debates comprised invaluable 

 experiences of the very pioneers in the cause, that they were a record of 

 experiments in every line of fruit groMing such as in many cases have not 

 been improved upon since. 



Indeed, to any one who sits down to examine deliberately into what has 

 been done, it will be found that there appears to have exhibited marked 

 acuteness and observation in hitting upon what was most wanted: and this is 

 so true, that a perusal of the proceedings had at the very last meeting at 

 St. Paul — (this past winter of 1873 1 will show only in many cases a verification 

 of facts put forward in the first one or two years after the organization of 

 the Society. 



And whilst it may be true that the repetition of many of these facts and 

 experiences, may make this work less varied in the incidents presented, it 

 will add to the value of what is given, inasmuch as it will offer to public 

 consideration a confirmation again and again of the facts hereafter to be 

 relied upon in making Minnesota a fruit growing State. This, then. Is the 

 excuse, if any should be needed, for letting those men be heard, who have 

 reached success through such pertinacity in adhering to strong convictions 

 as to the best modes of gaining what they so earnestly sought. 



THE ANNUAL MEETING AT ROCHESTER, OCTOBER 2. 1H69. 



The annual meeting at Rochester. October, LS69 is the next gathering to be 

 noticed and, according to the Rochester Post, of the 2nd of that month, look 

 place at Whiting's Hall, in that place, in the evening, on Avhich occa>ion the 

 following named gentlemen Avere elected officers of the Society, for the 

 ensuing year : 



President — John S. Harris. 



Vice-President — Charles C. Cook. 



Recording Secretary — J. W. Harkness. 



Treasurer — Wyman Elliot 



EXECUTIVE COM^flTTEE. 



S. Bates, Winona Co. 



Lewis Martin. Anoka. 



J. T. Grimes, Hennepin. 



H. E. C. Barrett, Rice Co. 



P. A. Jewell, Wabasha. 

 The Society were to hold a meeting at St. Paul on the first Monday in Feb. 

 1870. J. S. Shearman, J. W. Markness. Wm. Stickney, P. A. Jewell, Wm. 

 Wilcox with Col. Robertson as Secretary, were appointed a committee to 



