STATE HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 41 



agement within your power; for every wind break, successfully established upon 

 our western border and in Dakota, will do something toward ameliorating the cli- 

 mate, and I have not a doubt will tend to lessen the depredations of insects. 



Ornamental tree planting is a part of the legitimate work of the agricultural- 

 ist. In this, my friends, go where you will, you may find some missionary work 

 that ought to be done. If you doubt it, pay the grounds of our State unniversity and 

 our normal schools a visit and take a note of what they are, and what they might 

 become if they were artistically laid out and planted with ornamental trees, shrubs 

 and tlowers. Go to the country school houses out on the prairies, — yes and in the 

 timber, too. Having no pretensions to architecture or convenience more than the 

 ordinary farm barn, their surroundings harmonize perfectly. Usually fenced off 

 from the corner of some graintield, the name "Bleak House" would be appropriate, 

 for there is not a bush or tree to give cooling shade in summer or break the force of 

 winds in the winter. Our stock-breeders would blush to stable their thoroughbreds 

 in such a place. Cheerless they are, yet we e.xpeet that our farmers' sons and 

 daughters will there receive an education that will euable them to become good 

 citizens and adorn every station in life. Can we expect that thej' will acqure a love 

 for the country and the farm ? The country school house ought to be the most de- 

 lightful place on God's earth. The grounds instead of being a fourth acre, should 

 comprise four to six acres, beautifully laid off, having its play-ground, grass lawns, 

 flower beds, and evergreen bowers. Is there one here present who can look back 

 to a home of his childhood that was artistic, convenient and neat; where there was 

 music, good books, and good cheer inside to help while away the time, and outside 

 heavy laden orchards, beautiful trees, garden and lawn; who does not believe that 

 he is a nobler man than if his childhood and youth had been restricted to a place 

 directly the opposite ? It is a fact that the character of men will be influenced, more 

 or less, by the association and surroundings of their childhood. I trust that this 

 matter will receive your early attention, and that you will be able to devise means 

 to hasten the time when every school house in the State shall become a thmg of 

 beauty, the joy and pride of our people. 



Another field open for a little missionary w-ork is the beautifying of country 

 cemeteries. Many of them which have come under my observation would convey 

 the idea that our rural districts were inhabited by a people not over far advanced 

 in civilization. It is lamentable to have the centetery carry the impression that 

 when our dead are buried out of sight, they are also forgotten. In the earliest 

 settlement of the countr}-, these things may be excusable ; but with the wealth, 

 intelligence and refinement found everywhere at the present time no excuse is 

 valid Gentlemen, if possible, start a reform in this direction. "A littl oleaven" 

 will in time "leaven the whole lump." 



Among the events of the j'ear of special interest to us were the Minnesota State 

 Fair, the fall meeting and fair of this society at Lake City, the meeting of the 

 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society and the meeting of the American Pom- 

 ological Society. 



(See report of horticulture at the State Fair.) The fair was held in the midst 

 of a rainy season without pa'allel in the history of the State. This had a tend- 

 ency to deplete the attendance and cut off other sources of revenue, and to deter 

 many from making exliibits. The weather was such as to force the visitors to re- 



