HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 71 



Siberian Crabs were killed a few years since in consequence of being grafted 

 into the tender apple roots. 



We haA'e a law on our statute books, requiring the proper officers to make 

 annual returns of the quantity of grain raised, the number of horses, cattle 

 and sheep, the amount of hay cut, and other important statistical matter in 

 each town, which is sent to the capital and properly published. The law is a 

 good one as far as it goes. Such information is valuable, but why not include 

 in the returns the number of bushels of apples raised in each town, the quan- 

 tity of strawberries and other fruits produced. It is presumed that an amend- 

 ment of the law to this eft'ect would meet with the hearty approval of the 

 people. 



The Society at its last annual meeting passed resolutions respectfully asking 

 a small appropriation to be expended under the auspices of the Society. As 

 an incident of the beneficial aid secured from the State, Kansas, last season, 

 through the Legislature of that State, granted the small sum of rive hundred 

 dollars to their State Horticultural Society. With this money all the new 

 seedling apples were gathered and forwarded to the American Pomological 

 Society at its meeting in Philadelphia. The result was that the new State 

 took the first premium on new varieties of apples. No one for a moment 

 doubts, who is fully posted in regard to the quality ol seedlings, but what 

 Minnesota, had she been rei)resented, would have produced the better apple. 

 It is to be hoped that our excellent Legislature will cheerfully respond to tlu' 

 petition of the Society. 



The Society should, at the earliest possible period practicable, hold a State 

 Fair. Through the aid of the State Agricultural Society, we are able to 

 place on exhibition the fruit of our labor ; but it is presumed that a separate 

 Fair would be more satisfactory to the horticulturists of the State.- The 

 few countj^ fairs which have been held reflected much credit on the Societies. 

 The one at Minneapolis on the 4th of last July, under the superintendency of 

 that efticieut horticulturist and florist, Chas. M. Loring, Esq., was pronounced 

 superior to any thing of a kindred character ever held this side of Chicago. 



The Society has been honored by the appointment of one of its members to 

 tlie Professorship of Agriculture in the State University and Agricultuial 

 College. It is a matter of congratulation that so good an appointment was 

 made. The welfare of those who are in attendance at that popular institution 

 will be safe in his hands. 



The West has sustained a severe loss in the death of Benjamin D. Walsh, 

 State Entomologist of Illinois, which melancholy event occurred at Rock 

 Island, on the 15th of last November. His labor for the past few years 

 has been of great service to the people of this continent, particularly to those 

 engaged in horticultural pursuits. 



The Society has a great work to accomplish. The mission is not simply 

 the propagation of fruit, but it is to add comfort to the people of this great 

 commonwealth. AYe wish to make their homes cheerful, happj^ and pleasant. 



Contrast the door yard that is full of weeds, ragged grasses and litter of 

 every description, with a beautiful green lawn, mixed with damask roses, 



