“sees 
24 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
It seems to me when we look into the life of Peter Gideon, what he has 
done for horticulture in Minnesota, the fact that he was pursuing that one 
line of experiment and followed it out so as to almost settle some scientific 
points, and in a general way added to the horticultural literature of this 
country, it seems to me we have much to honor in Mr. Gideon and have 
cause to feel proud that he was a son of Minnesota. 
TRIBUTE) TO. PETER) M- GIDEON. 
J. M. UNDERWOOD, LAKE CITY. 
In contemplating the death of Peter M. Gideon, we are bound to recog- 
nize the fact that a valuable life has ended its labors and that the cause of 
horticulture has lost a valiant leader. It seems fitting that we should pause 
in the hurrying rush of our busy lives and pay a tribute of respect and hom- 
age to one who has shown so much perseverance in meeting opposing forces, 
so much practical intuition in his methods, and who has attained such im- 
portant results. His individual efforts are indeed ended; but does he not 
still live? Will he ever die? Is not the Wealthy apple tree that owes its 
origin to him a living part of him? Do not their bodies stand erect before 
us, even as he did; their graceful branches reach out to us in cheerful greet- 
ing, and the voice of their rustling leaves speak to us of him to whom they 
owe their origin. And so far as it is possible to conceive that he is a part 
of them, he will never cease to exist. From one ocean to the other, and 
even across the seas or wherever apples can be grown, the Wealthy apple 
tree will be planted. The large, highly colored fruit, with its thin skin, easily 
catches and retains the radiance of the sun, imparting to its veins, sometimes 
even to its delicate core, rays from the blushes of its cheek. Its rich, vinous, 
melting juices will ever tempt us to partake, and we shall readily pronounce 
it the best fruit that is grown. 
This is but one of the valuable productions which our departed friend 
has left us. It is fitting and just that we recognize them at this time, and, if 
we can, it would be well to erect some more substantial monument to his 
memory than mere words. 
I will propose that a committee of three be chosen to devise means for 
raising a fund of money to be given to the board of regents of the state uni- 
versity to be by them invested, and the interest thereof awarded as prizes for 
proficiency to some graduated student or students each year in the school of 
agriculture, and the prizes announced on the day of graduation. The pro- 
ficiency of the student should be determined by the dean, the professor of 
the horticultural division in the school and the secretary of the state horti- 
cultural society. The recipient of the prize or prizes to prepare and read a 
paper before the state horticultural society at its annual meeting, which 
shall be along original lines of study, and the award should not be made en- 
tirely upon the quality of the paper, but studious work done by the student 
should at least be an equal factor. 
We might erect a dead monument to him of suitable proportion in the 
cemetery, but would he not prefer a living, acting recognition of his services 
to us, even as he has left to us living testimonials of his love for horticul- 
ture? And I further propose that all present join me in partaking of a 
Wealthy apple to the memory of our departed friend. 
