110 ANNUAL REPORT 



der the wide spreadini^ boughs of an old orchard tree, sipping syrup made from 

 the amber cane," we will be tit subjects of envy by the gods. 



We cannot bring this article to an end without paying some slight tribute to the 

 noble men who have so long and dilligently labored to convince the destructive 

 people of America that we must do something to make amends for the devastated 

 forests, and that the only way to do this is 1)}' replanting, Prominent among them 

 is Dr. John A. Warder, who, first, last and all the time, has been an earnest advo- 

 cate of forest trees, and in season, and out of season has had the one end in view, 

 to add to our forests. 



One of the most successful arboriculturists in the Northwest is Judge E. C. 

 Whiting, of Monona county, Iowa. He has confuted once and for all the fallacy 

 that forest trees cannot be grown on the prairie, and to-day has living witnesses by 

 the thousands in sliapely, stately forest trees on his farm in the Missouri valley. 



Nor Avould we forget our own earnest worker, Mr. L. B. Hodges, who has done 

 more for forestrj' and forest tree planting than any ten men in the state, and to-day 

 is earnest and active in this commendable pursuit. Honor to tliem and their work. 

 Proud ma}^ we be to occupy an liumble position in their ranks, striving for this 

 noble cause, and ma}' our lionest endeavors to ameliorate the condition of our 

 frontier sufferers prove our worthiness to stand with them, laboring from the com- 

 mon end. 



Mr. Dart presented the following resolution wliicli was adopted : 



Resolved, That in all competitive exhibitions we recognize and admit exliibitors 

 from Wisconsin and Dakota, belonging to the same fruit belt as Minnesota. 



THE secretary's REPORT. 



Our horticultural year, closing witli the beginning of this meeting, has not been 

 an extraordinary one, either of failure or success. 



No disheartening calamity of cold or of untempcred wind or summer heat, has 

 bwept the product of our horticultural labors entirely from the credit side of na- 

 ture's ledger of fruits and flowers. While all intelligent and painstaking labor has 

 not been met watli its meed of success, this should not discourage, for the same fact 

 is recorded of all climates, and that a majority of our workers have been repaid for 

 their labors here in Minnesota is a lasting memorial, bearing evidence of the skill 

 of our cultivators and the value of our Horticultural Society. Its teachings have 

 not been for ourselves alone ; but through the lieneticence of the legislators of our 

 State we have been able to send our published reports to the "poor but honest" 

 lover of horticulture everywhere upon application. The demand for our reports 

 is so rapidly increasing that your secretary must ask for positive instructions as to 

 their distribution, outside of the provisions of the law^ 



I liave letters in my portfolio from prominent liorticulturists bearing tribute to 

 tlie great value of our work, as being absolute authority relating to the hardiness 

 of trees and plants. This fact makes our volumes of peculiar interest to the nur- 

 seryman who grows for the northern trade, and also to those who are following 

 westward the star of empire, and wish for knowledge relating to the horticultural 

 possibilities of the North Star State. 



To this latter class 1 have endeavored always courteously to respond, believing 

 that in doing so I was not only benefitting our State, but ourselves as well, fo 

 "we are the State." 



