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l84 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



there is no record. Mr. Sias in those days was a comparatively 

 young man and apparently took little part in the meetings of the 

 society, the records not showing his name as an active participant 

 again until about the year 1876, from which time on until he re- 

 moved from the state probably no member contributed more tow- 

 ards the varied services of the association. In 1876 he was elected 

 treasurer of the society, succeeding the late Amasa Stewart. This 

 position he held, with the exception of 1879, until the year 1881. On 

 this year his name appears first in the list of vice-presidents, which 

 position he held for ten years, or until the time of his removal from 

 the state. The writer had a personal acquaintance with Mr. Sias of 

 a very pleasant nature, and subsequent to his removal several letters 

 annually passed between us, so that his life abroad was in a sense 

 known here. Reference has occasionally been made to Mr. Sias in 

 the columns of our monthly, and our readers will recall a number of 

 original poems from his pen signed in his usual unique way, "Sam 

 Bucus." Those who attended the banquet of four years ago will 

 remember the box of citrus fruits from Mr. Sias distributed on 

 that occasion. 



An original thinker, profoundly interested in horticultural sub- 

 jects, he has contributed much to the fund of information on 

 subjects especially pertaining to the growth of Minnesota fruits, and 

 we are all indebted to him for this service. The society did not 

 forget its obligation to Mr. Sias, and at an early day, in the year 

 1884, he was made an honorary life member of the association. His 

 latest purpose to lay out and maintain what he called a "Memorial 

 Park" at his new home in Pomona, Mo., was carried out in a 

 measure at least, as referred to by his son in a foregoing paragraph. 

 Few pioneers in Minnesota horticulture accomplished as much and 

 possibly none more in placing it upon a firm foundation for future 

 safe development than our deceased friend, w^ho for twenty-seven 

 years with tireless effort gave his life to this service. — Sec'y. 



