secretary's annual report, 1904. 21 



A. K. Bush, Prof. Wm. Robertson, Mr. Philips, of Wisconsin, 

 and myself were present at the organization of the North Dakota 

 Society in January last. This was a very enthusiastic meeting 

 and nearly all the 134 members were taken at that time. 



Something should be said of the special work of the secretary 

 in connection with the state fair and also the World's Fair. As 

 superintendent of the horticultural department of the state fair, 

 it is my pleasure to be able to report a satisfactory exhibit, al- 

 though the season was very late and the fair was held unusually 

 early, much of the fruit displayed being quite unripe and under- 

 sized; but the general appearance of the hall was satisfactory, I 

 believe, and those who participated as exhibitors were well re- 

 paid for their work. A number of the usual exhibitors were not 

 in attendance, largely on account of the unripe condition of 

 fruit. It is much to be desired that more of our members should 

 take part in this feature of the work of the society. Two or 

 three days spent in horticultural hall at the state fair will be 

 found very enjoyable, and a share in the premiums is likely to 

 pay the expenses connected with such a visit. 



The superintendency of the Minnesota fruit exhibit at the 

 World's Fair came to the secretary in part on account of his 

 connection with the society as its secretary, and was accepted in 

 part to accommodate Ex-Pres. J. M. Underwood, who, as you 

 know, is a member of the Minnesota World's Fair Commission 

 of the state, and with whom it is always a pleasure to work ; and 

 in part because I thought I should in this way be able to increase 

 my value to the society as its working officer. A large number 

 of members of the society assisted willingly in the making of 

 this exhibit. While the results were not always what we .should 

 have liked, yet I feel that those who took part have done their 

 best under the circumstances and that the society has been in a 

 way benefited as a result. My report as superintendent of the 

 World's Fair being upon the program later, I will not speak 

 further about it at this time. 



There are two funds in the hands of the society, indeed I 

 might say three funds, that are yet unexpended. The oldest of 

 these funds is the Gideon Memorial Fund of which $344.00 in all 

 has been collected and this amount less a certain sum paid out 

 for expenses in connection therewith is drawing interest in the 

 Hennepin County Savings Bank. There is $40.00 still uncol- 

 lected, which we believe to be good, making a total of $384.00. 

 Some plan will undoubtedly be devised soon for bringing this 



