HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN MINNESOTA. 161 



The production of fruit should be considered a subject of special public 

 interest, particularly in a new and rapidly growing State, not only as a source 

 of food supply which admits of preparation in a variety of forms, and is 

 valuable as a hygienic agent, but as a diversification of the agricultural 

 interests of the country. 



Many of the States possessing greater advantages of climate than our own. 

 have taken steps to furnish the information necessarj- to the successful culture 

 of fruits, and it is to be hoped that the State of Minnesota will not hesitate 

 or delay in a matter of such vital importance. 



The individuals composing the Association asking the appropriation, are 

 moved by no impulse of private aggrandizement — have no personal interests 

 to subserve : but having expended years of patient inquiry and experiment 

 on a subject in which the entire State has a vital interest, they now desire that 

 the result of those labors, disappointments, repeated failures, and final tri- 

 umphs shall be spread broadcast over the laud for the individual benefit of 

 every citizen. 



The progress of horticulture throughout the State has been of slow growth, 

 and it has onh^ been after such repeated discouragement as would have en- 

 tirely vanquished persons less enthusiastic than the members of this asso- 

 ciation, that the final consummation has been achieved in the practical 

 demonstration of the capabilities of Minnesota as a fruit producing State. 



For many years it was urged as a strong argument against settlement in 

 Minnesota that fruits, such as apples and pears, could not be successfully or 

 profitably raised. 



That strawberries, grapes, plums, and the small fruits generally, could be 

 cultivated there was no question, as these grew wild throughout the State, 

 but it required practical demonstration year after year to prove even to some 

 of our citizens that apples and pears could be successfully grown. 



Should any doubt exist on this point, it must be entirely dissipated by the 

 display before us this evening. Here are 50 varieties of standard apples ; 10 

 or 12 varieties of crabs, and half a dozen varieties of grapes — all the growth 

 of last season, and mostly by parties here present, and from all parts of a 

 district nearly 200 miles in extent from south to north, or from the southern 

 border of the State to within 100 miles of the shore of Lake Superior. 



If he that makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before, is 

 a public benefactor, how much more he who covers our hillsides with the rich 

 clusters of grapes, our orchards with golden fruit, and who fills our homes 

 with the fragrance of beautiful flowers. 



This plan of bringing together, at stated intervals, the best specimens of 

 the field or garden, and by comparison securing a generous rivalry among 

 producers from aU parts of the State, has doubtless been of more general 

 benefit than any scheme yet devised. 



These fruits placed here for the scrutiny of the public, are an evidence of 

 the faith of those who, surmounting all difficulties, have arrived at the con- 

 summation of their hopes, and are offered as an incentive to increased 

 production. 

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