168 ANNUAL KEPOKT 



Colonel Stevens, I have already published it twice in a paper 

 with circulation of 16,000, and want to publish it again. There 

 is nothing in it that need hurt anybody. 



The motion to adopt the report was then put and carried by a 

 unanimous vote. 



The Secretary will here remark that this was the fullest meeting, 

 both of members and visitors, ever held by the Minnesota Horti- 

 cultural Society, many having come in in anticipation of the spec- 

 tacle of Mr. Gideon's return, quite a number coming forward, join- 

 ing the society and paying their dollar to have the privilege of 

 swelling what was known would be a unanimous vote. 



Prof. Porter moved that Wyman Elliot be appointed a committee 

 of one to bring Mr. Gideon in. 



Mr. Elliott thought it would be more appropriate for Prof. Porter, 



Prof. Porter was then appointed as such committee. 



Mr. Underwood. I move that when Mr. Gideon comes in, the 

 members rise, and that we have a recess of five minutes for con- 

 gratulations. 



Carried, 



Prof. Porter returned with Mr. Gideon and said : 



Mr. President and Fellow Members: 



It is with great pleasure that I have the privilege to report Mr. 

 Gideon's acceptance of the reconciliation you have offered, and I 

 now have the honor to re-introduce him to the society. 



President Sias (offering his hand). Mr. Gideon, I greet you, aa 

 yoa well know, most cordially. Please take the stand. 



Mr. Gideon. Mr. President, and members of the State Horticul- 

 tural Society: I am glad our differences are settled. 



A general hand shaking here took place, after which Mr. Gideon 

 was again called to the stand and gave a history of his experiments 

 in fruit culture, which he was requested to write out for the Trans- 

 action, and which is as follows : 



BEMAEKS BY PETBU M. GIDEON. 



I am yery happy to be able once more to address you on the sub- 

 ject of fruit culture. I commenced the culture of fruit in Minne- 

 sota twenty-nine years ago by planting one bushel of apple seed 

 and one peck of peach seed, and the next spring set about 400 trees 

 of apple, pear, plum and cherry. And yearly thereafter for eleven 

 years planted eastern and southern grown apple seed, and more or 



