HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 115 



been equal to that of those following that of other callings. But shall we not 

 here pause, and ask ourselves the question — is this sufficient? Does it not 

 become those who make a profession of developing the beautiful of the veg- 

 etable world, to possess higher, and aim at nobler ideas than those who have 

 to do only with inanimate things? 



We are placed in close contact with nature's sweetest smiles, and it is our 

 privilege to reach toward the great heart of nature, and be assured she has 

 fields beyond our vision adorned with animation and beautj' equal to those 

 through which we take our daily rambles. 



But when the microscope fails us, and we commence to retrace our steps, 

 we admire the beauty of the mosses and ferns, thence we come up to the more 

 useful grasses and plants, cultivating the herbaceous and shrubby plants, and 

 still on until now we have reached the trees, and standing under the monarch 

 of the forest, the giant sequoia, we are astounded at its magnificence. 



Ought not all these things, given to us in divine wisdom, to bring out and 

 develop the best and highest attributes of our nature? 



A resolution of thanks was voted to the President for his able and intelli- 

 gent address. 



DISCUSSION OF APPLES CONTINUED. 



Siceet Pear. — Mr. Cook, of Blue Earth county, said it is a hardy and valua- 

 ble tree; never knew it to kill; fruit not large, but good. 



Mr. T. M. Smith has seen the fruit grown in our State, and has sold it. It 

 sells well. 



Mr. Harris, of La Crescent, has no bearing trees, although he has them ten 

 years old. Thrifty grower, and appears hardy. 



Mr. Jewell says it is a profuse bearer on clay soil ; on prairie soil in Wis- 

 consin it does not do very well ; bark bursts around the crown. There are 

 many trees in Minnesota; they are siibject to fire-blight; has known it in 

 bearing in Minnesota for five years. 



On motion of T. M. Smith, the following resolution was adopted : 



Resolved, That we extend an invitation to the Presidents of the different railroads of 

 Minnesota to visit this meeting, and examine the fruits on exhibition, and see whether they 

 are not worthy to be considered good immigration arguments. 



TRIBUTE TO A DECEASED MEMBER. 



Mr. P. A. Jewell, of committee on resolutions respecting the death of James 

 W. Ilarkness, presented the following which were adopted : 



Whereas, It has. pleased our Heavenly Father, since our last annual Winter session, to 

 remove from the scenes of this life, our late fellow member the Corresponding Secretary of 

 this Society, James W. Harkness. 



Resolved, That w^e deplore the departure from our midst, while in the prime of life and 

 usefulness, of one who was endeared to us as an earnest, zealous, and efficient member of 

 our organization; and that we esteem it a melancholy privilege to bear tribute to his many 

 virtues. 



Resolved, That in the career of our deceased friend were developed those elements of strong 

 self-reliance, of earnest and enthusiastic devotion, of a patient and devoted willingness "to 

 labor, and to wait," in the face of all discouragements, for the accomplishment of a great 

 end, which challenge our warmest admiration and respect. 



