STATE HORTICULTURA.L SOOIBTT. 161 



same season, and far better quality; and some 3,000 not yet fruited, 

 from which we anticipate many fine varieties, and all attained in 

 solving the problem, what to do and how to do it. 



And now with those varieties as a foundation, and the knowledge 

 how to use them, we are fairly in motion and in full faith that the 

 future triumph is sure. 



Col. Stevens read the following letter from President Harris, 

 which on motion was ordered to be printed in the Transactions: 



Seville, Medina County, Ohio, ) 

 January 16th, 1883. J^ 



Members and Friends of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society : 



For many weeks I have anticipated this meeting of our society 

 with great pleasurs, and had hoped to take you all by the hand, and 

 while thanking you for the many expressions of good will and con- 

 fidence in the past, wish you welfare and prosperity in the future. 

 Very dear to me is Minnesota, my chosen home, and I expect to 

 devote what little talent and ability I have in helping to develop 

 her resources and build up her institutions. A higher duty, the 

 duty a son owes to the mother who gave him birth and moulded 

 his early years and fitted him for future usefulness, prevents my 

 enjoying the privilege of this meeting and casts a sadness upon me. 

 My aged mother is stricken down and is probably very near the 

 grave. I have gone to her bedside to give what comfort and help 

 I am able. Gentlemen, be atiSured of my best wishes for you and 

 my devotion to the State Horticultural Society. May this meet- 

 ing be pleasant to you all and profitable to the people of our State. 

 May you work up a zeal and spirit of progress and carry it with 

 you to your homes, and may the coming season be one of great 

 prosperity to you all. 



Your absent President, 



JOHN S. HARRIS. 



The matter of premiums for hardy winter apples was taken up 

 for action. 



The Secretary. At the June meeting of the executive commit- 

 tee I was requested to get this business into some shape as a basis 

 for action, and as a first step I wrote to Mr. Peffer for a history of 

 the Wisconsin system and asked him to make any suggestions 

 that might occur to him to be of benefit to us. He replied and 

 gave me the information on which the scheme I will now present, 

 is based. I will not ofi'er it for adoption, but only for your con- 

 sideration, as perhaps containing some of the points you may want 

 in offering the contemplated premiums. 



11 



