22 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ing that makes it almost impossible to carry out the full intent 

 of the department. A tract of at least eighty acres of good 

 orchard land, within twenty miles of the college, is a pressing 

 necessity. Those of us who know Prof. Green personally need 

 no further evidence that this trial orchard would have such able 

 and practical management as would in the end save to the state 

 many thousands of dollars. Knowing the facts in the case as we 

 do, we should bring them personally before our lawmakers this win- 

 ter, as we have opportunity, and thus give this measure the solid 

 backing of the society. 



As new things of value are produced, the question arises as 

 to how they shall become the property of the public with due 

 justice to the originator and the introducer. We know of num- 

 bers of promising varieties that are now withheld from the public 

 on account of the great expectations which our large premiums 

 and rumors of high prices paid for novelties has excited, thus 

 preventing a needful test, endangering the life of the variety 

 and blocking general progress. This is a large subject and a 

 difficult one under our present system of laws and customs. 

 From the best thought and observation that I have been able 

 to give it, I w^ould counsel greater liberality with the public. I 

 confess that I have been largely influenced in this direction by 

 the marked success of the man whom I regard the greatest plant- 

 breeder of our section. No one has been freer with a new fruit 

 than Mr. Patten with his great production, ihe Patten's Green- 

 ing, and in both honor and money it has brought him a most 

 satisfacrory return. This is by no means d solitary instance. On 

 the other hand I know of many cases where a close and tight 

 policy has brought returns of its own kind, I am not in this 

 to be understood as laying down any rule ; it is a hard matter 

 to adjust perfectly. The "dog in the manger" policy, however, de- 

 mands unqualified condemnation. Those to whom nature has en- 

 trusted special treasures are in duty bound to share them in some 

 way with mankind. 



Attractive exhibitions of our products are great and im- 

 portant factors in agricultural progress. If we make any pre- 

 tense of being better than mere hangers on in the communities in 

 which we live, we will take an active interest in the management 

 and exhibits of our county fairs. If but two or three horticul- 

 turists in each county should attend the preliminary meetings 

 and actively assist in making their local fair a success, there 

 would be no cause for complaint that the cattle and race horse 



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