512 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



homes it is with the expectation on the part of most of us to return 

 again next year, something that we look forward to with pleasure. 

 But we realize that in all probability this circle will be broken 

 when we again gather here; our older, faithful workers are laying 

 down their burdens, and that is why I referred to there being an 

 element of sadness in these closing exercises. However, let us 

 hope that we may all meet again a year from this time and have 

 the pleasure of greeting the same faces that are before us today. I 

 do not know that it will be necessary to call upon every one to 

 speak, but if I do we shall expect you to respond. 



Mr. C. F. Gardner, Osage, Iowa: Mr. President and Ladies 

 and Gentlemen of this Society : I have had a good time and heard 

 some good things, but the chief feature which I have observed and 

 which has afforded me the greatest pleasure is the appearance dur- 

 ing the meeting of the intelligent, charming and beautiful ladies. 

 (Applause.) Of the gentlemen members of this society, of the men 

 in general I cannot say so much, but I can unreservedly and un- 

 qualifiedly say that the best looking man of all the men I have seen 

 since I have been here is A. J. Philips, of Wisconsin. (Prolonged 

 and vociferous applause.) 



Prof. N. E. Hansen, Brookings, S. D. : In taking part in a 

 meeting of this kind it is the enthusiasm that is engendered in com- 

 ing together that makes it so successful. We come together here 

 and have a rousing good time, and then we scatter all over the 

 country bubbling over with enthusiasm which becomes contagious, 

 and we look forward from year to year to this meeting with the 

 greatest pleasure. When we want to get right down to digest the 

 matters that come up here we can sit down and read our "Horticul- 

 turist" at our leisure, but here we come together for a good time. 



Capt. A. H. Reed, Glencoe : I suppose I will have to get up 

 and say a word or two. I want to say to you that I have enjoyed 

 the meeting immensely and have learned something. I have learned 

 for one thing that there is a difference between the Peter and the 

 Wealthy apple, and I have also seen the best exhibition of fruit that 

 has ever been made by the society. 



Mr. A. J. Philips, West Salem, Wis. : I am at a loss to know 

 just what to say. I really don't know whether to take Gardner's 

 little speech as a compliment or whether he is making fun of me. If 

 I tell my wife she will say at once that he was making fun of me. 

 However, I will say that I have had a good time ; I can always 

 have a good time at these meetings witho'.it half trying. The first 

 two days I was here I did not feel first rate. I do want to say 

 something about Long's speech at the banquet last night. He is 

 always prodding me to tell him some new stories, something funny, 

 and last night he got a chance to work them off. I never thought 

 he could do half as well as hei did. I want to say that the thing 

 that impressed me as being of the most value at this meeting was 

 Mr. Underwood's talk this afternoon. I have talked at institutes. 

 and v/hile I have always urged young men to plant apple trees I 

 have never advised any one to plant an orchard and make that his 



