HISTORY OB^ HORTICULTURE I'S MINNESOTA . 155 



Judge Baker hoped the Secj-etaiy of the Wisconsin Horticultural Society, 

 Mr. Willey, would favor them with his views of what constituted progress 

 in Wisconsin. By a vote he was formally invited. 



Mr. Willey said he hardly knew what he could say that would be of inter- 

 est. A number of years ago the Society then undertook to get donations 

 from other portions of the United States, and they received about 2.000 spec- 

 imens of all kinds of growths. 



[Here it having been noted by the Chairman that the President of the State 

 Agricultural Society was present, he was, on motion, formally invited to 

 take a seat on the platform.] 



Mr. Willey resumed. They had had abundant donations, and everything 

 looked promising at one time, but the Society was poor, and the State could 

 not help them, and so the enterprise fell through. But after all he might say 

 that in one sense the undertaking was a success, because others took up the 

 movement, and of the trees contributed, many survived and progressed greatly 

 in the end. The trees fell to the Agricultural College of the State afterwards. 

 That institution was a very great success, and students were, in large num- 

 bers taking a regular agricultural course. Mr. Willey further gave an inter- 

 esting account of the workings of the Agricultural College, and said he con- 

 sidered it an honor to the State. Mr. Willey was listened to with very par- 

 ticular attention and respect, and what he thus advanced evidently made a 

 strong impression. 



The next thing in order was an agricultu^-al address by Col. Philip S. Har- 

 ris, of the Land ]Jepartment of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Kailroad. 

 Col. Harris then addressed the Society as follows : 



ADDRESS. 



Ml'. President and Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society : 



It is with feelings of profound pleasure and consciousness of the honor con 

 ferredupon me, that I address you on the present anniversary of your Society. 



The annual meeting of an association of intelligent men, whose chief aim 

 is the advancement of a science, or industry, which has for its direct object 

 the present and prospective good of an entire community, should excite a 

 deep interest in the minds of all thoughtful men, and insure their hearty and 

 sincere co-operation. 



That great benefits are to be derived by the State at large from the labors 

 of an association of this character, with its numerous auxiliary societies, or 

 those having a similar object, scarcely admits of doubt, and no argument will 

 be required to show that every individual resident in the State is indebted 

 either directly or indirectly, in a greater or less degree, to the labor and 

 means which have been expended, and the information which has been ex- 

 pended by you as individuals, or as an association, in developing what will, 

 in the not distant future, become an important branch of industry, and add 

 largely to the wealth of the State. 



The consideration of the objects of this association in its relations to the 

 prosperity of the State admits of a wide range, and though it is scarcely 



