508 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



and Mr. Stone will tell us about his experience with his Duchess 

 orchard. 



Mr. Eli Stone, of ^Excelsior, then addressed the society upon the 

 topic of "My Duchess Orchard." (See index.) 

 Discussion. 



The President : This has been an exceedingly interesting and, 

 I think, profitable discussion, but we have given it all the time we can 

 possibly spare and must hurry on with our program. I note .that 

 Prof. Bull is now present, and I will call upon him for his paper, 

 which ought to be of interest to many. 



Prof. C. P. Bull, of St. Anthony Park, then read a paper on the 

 subject of "Plant Breeding as a Practical Pursuit." (See index.) 

 Discussion. 



The President : I understand the committee on president's ad- 

 dress is now ready to report, and we will just interrupt the program 

 for a few moments to hear that report. 



Mr. E. A. Smith then submitted the report of the Committee on 

 President's Address. (See index.) 



On motion of Mr. Elliot the report was unanimously adopted. 

 The President : Now if you desire to discuss Prof. Bull's paper 

 a little more we can spare A few minutes. 



Mr. Loring : I would like to ask what quality is required in 

 the plum. Last year I offered a premium of $25.00 for the best 

 plum. It was not given out, the premium v»^as not paid, and I was 

 not called upon for it. I think the plum is a fruit very much 

 neglected. We ought to have better plums than we have. I would 

 be very glad to offer a premium of $100.00 for a plum that would 

 be of a certain quality, and that is something that we should arrive 

 at here. I am perfectly willing to offer a premium of 100.00 if 

 some of the gentlemen who are familiar with plum culture will raise 

 the standard high enough so we will get something that is good. 



Mr. Underwood : I would suggest that we refer this question of 

 Mr. Loring's to our venerable plum specialist, Mr. Lord. 



The President: This is certainly a very generous proposition 

 on the part of Mr. Loring, and it does seem as though we ought to 

 go on and accomplish something in this line. 



Mr. Underwood : It has been suggested that we have a com- 

 mittee appointed to consider this proposed standard for the plum, 

 and as there are one or two other able specialists in the growing 

 of plums, I think it is a good suggestion. As there has been no 

 action taken I would make a motion that the matter be referred to a 

 committee consisting of Mr. Lord, Mr. Elliot and Prof. Hansen. I 

 think that would make a splendid committee, and I think with their 

 wisdom and counsel we would get it about right. 



Prof. Hansen : I am duly appreciative of the honor, but I think 

 the committee ought to consist of Minnesota people. They ought to 

 establish a standard, and I think Prof. Gre.en should be the one to 

 serve on that committee. 



Mr. Elliot: I think Mr. Lord is abundantly qualified with his 

 long experience to make this standard of excellence, and I don't 



