14 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



been grown and selected for many generations for their adaptation 

 to entirely different climates. This was clearly proved when we be- 

 gan to grow seedlings from Duchess, Wealthy and ]\Ialinda apples 

 produced in our soil, many of which are now fruiting in various 

 sections of our state and giving promise of great value. 



Confronted, therefore, as we are. with the great need and the 

 only method by which we can fill that need, how shall we go about 

 the work? Our society has already taken advanced ground in 

 offering inducements in the way of fine premiums for seedling 

 fruits. I think no other society has been as liberal in this matter. 

 Still as we think how the work has been carried on thus far, we 

 shall have to agree that premiums have done little to incite to effort 

 in those who have done the most and best for us. It has been a 

 labor of love, carried on by individuals with small hope of reward 

 except such as came to them in the feeling that they were doing 

 something for the common good, something that generations yet 

 unborn would enjoy and remember with gratitude. It has been 

 done by individual work rather than by those connected with anv 

 state institution or enjoying a paid salary, and I have no doubt 

 that the progress made in the next fifty years will be largely if not 

 entirely made by similar efforts. Is it not possible, therefore, that 

 while we as a society are encouraging the production of seedlings 

 that we as individuals are neglecting what might be properlv con- 

 sidered a duty incumbent upon such as have received almost our 

 all from such work by those who have preceded us ? Ought we not 

 at this time, and at this very meeting, to maugurate a crusade for 

 more and better seed planting — a crusade to be entered upon 

 heartily and unselfishly by the individual membership ? It is not 

 necessary that seed be planted in such quantity by each member as 

 was planted by some of our predecessors among the pioneers. A 

 small quantity of choice, carefully selected seed, planted by many 

 hands and looked after by many interested eyes, will be more likely 

 to speed the day of better varieties. 



It seems to me that each one of us should choose the particular 

 fruit or flower that holds our greatest interest, and selecting each 

 year a few seeds of the very best of that variety, plant them in such 

 ground, large or small, as may be available to us. After we have 

 grown the seedlings one year, if our grounds are limited, a portion 

 might be distributed to those about us who would be willing to care 

 for them, and thus, perhaps, awaken in others an interest in the de- 

 velopment we are seeking — never failing to keep in mind that the 

 important point is in the character of the seed sown. 



