I08 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Stores; the frequent mud holes in the streets; uneven sidewalks; 

 noxious weeds along the roadside and in vacant lots ; the rubbish of 

 tin cans, bottles, boilers, crockery, etc., dumped beside a beautiful 

 driveway (between two days) ; broken down fences, etc. There was 

 so much that evidently should be done, and that at once, that we 

 were almost discouraged before starting out on our crusade, for how 

 could all this be changed with only a few apparently to work? 

 However, after due reflection, we wisely concluded to lay our plans 

 for only as much as we knew we could reasonably accomplish, 

 rememlbering that there were other years before us. We had no 

 funds to work with ; our only resources, as one tritely expressed it, 

 were "plenty of talk and a reasonable degree of influence," and we 

 determined to work these to the limit. 



We formed an organization of women with a membership fee of 

 twenty-five cents per year. Men were admitted as honorary mem- 

 bers by paying fifty cents. With this low charge, no one need stay 

 away through lack of funds. 



This gave us a small amount to begin with, and it w^as used t'o keep 

 up the interest of our monthly evening meetings. For these we 

 made up programs to cover an hour. We had two ten minute talks 

 or papers ; the balance of the time was used in three to five minute 

 talks, with two musical numbers. We were prompt in beginning and 

 closing, and if any one presumed on having mtuch to divulge, requir- 

 ing extension of time, he was informed that another evening was 

 coming when he would be allowed an opportunity to continue. This 

 promptness and strictness in carrying out the program, brought out 

 quick, snappy, sparkling remlarks that were always well received. 

 Our aim was to bring as many as possible to their feet, and we were 

 agreeably surprised to find that there were many who were doing a 

 great deal of thinking and were only waiting for an opportunity to be 

 lined up in battle array. 



For one entertainment we engaged Prof. Samuel B. Green to 

 give a lecture on "Street and Home Improvement," illustrated with 

 stereopt'ican views. This awakened much interest and formed the 

 basis of the discussion for the next regular meeting. Each program 

 was always followed by a social hour, and these were pronounced 

 by many to be the most instructive of all, for with a cup of tea or 

 coffee and a wafer in hand — a glass of lemonade and a wafer in 

 warm weather — if was so miuch easier to talk over and discuss mat- 

 ters with a few than to make a set speech to a hundred or more 

 listening ears. It was truly pleasing to watch the groups in different 

 parts of the room, and, passing from one to another to hear, "our 



