12 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



dred members, the greater number of the brotherhood are yet 

 outside our pale, although under our care and auspices and ex- 

 pecting of us a guidance and direction that will promote their 

 welfare; and in addressing the horticulturists of our state it 

 would seem that we ought to be addressing every one living 

 within its bounds, for every one who has one window may have 

 a plant, so that even those 'Clifif dwellers" who have doomed 

 themselves to office buildings and fiats may still have a window 

 garden and become interested with us in the processes of life. 



My address to you a year ago was largely directed to the 

 work of the society, but at this time I wish to call your attention 

 to some of the more needy or more hopeful lines of effort that 

 seem open to us in the several departments of horticulture at the 

 present time. 



The Apple : With all due allowance for the need of better 

 keeping apples adapted to our climate, we feel that there can be 

 no question that the greater public want is a hardier and better 

 class of roots upon which as a safe foundation we may grow our 

 orchard trees. Our many open winters, with bare ground and 

 deep freezing, require that the roots of our trees shall be of a 

 better character than such as can be grown from the French 

 apple or the average cider mill product of the American orchard. 

 Prof. Hansen, of South Dakota, has done a great deal for us by 

 starting the present agitation. The northern nurserymen are 

 interesting themselves in a very energetic way to secure the best 

 stocks at present available, and the prospect of steady improve- 

 ment is very encouraging. But we must not allow the matter to 

 rest until we have as safe and satisfactory roots for our apple as 

 we already have for the plum — the question of the whole or piece 

 root graft is mere child's prattle compared with it. We believe 

 that such a root may be found and that the search and active ex- 

 periments should be continued until it is brought to light. 



The Plum : The most notable improvement that is going on 

 with this valuable fruit is in combining the excellences of the dif- 

 ferent races that are under cultivation, the native, the Japan and 

 the European varieties ; and from what has been already de- 

 veloped in this way, and the products shown at our fairs, wc 

 feel sure that we are at the beginning of a new era in plum 

 growing, with larger, firmer fruit and a greatly enlarged market. 

 Our present standard list is very defective, and we should wel- 

 come the new candidates as fast as they are able to prove them- 

 selves worthy, for nothing seems more certain than that the 



