270 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
county during the season, with expense to mouth, whip and corn reduced to 
its lowest premium. No one but a state of Maine yankee would devise 
such a scheme, except I should mention our horticultural society. I be- 
lieve our scheme is working fully as well as his, with cost about the same. 
Now, what is the proper thing for us to do in this matter? We, as a 
society, are doing more in recognition of valuable seedlings than any other 
society or state in the northwest, but, in my opinion, we are not doing 
enough. We should pay a generous premium in cash or legal protection 
for any and all worthy seedlings, The state should aid the horticultural so- 
ciety in their effort to such an extent that the business of growing seedlings 
would promise some profit to the planter. It is a disgrace to Minnesota that 
Peter M. Gideon should have died in poverty—when he originated so many 
valuable seedlings and distributed the same over the entire state, one of 
which, the Wealthy, alone is worth millions to our commonwealth. Like the 
rich iron mines of the state, its value is hardly appreciated by its citizens. 
Many condemn the entire fruit list as recommended by our society, because 
it contains no fruit which attains their ideal in quality, hardiness, produc- 
tion, etc. They buy tree strawberries, everbearing blackberries, etc., from 
people who have just what they want! We should be thankful for the 
blessings of today, for our improved horticulture, with its promise of much 
better things in the near future, secured to us by the presistent and deter- 
mined efforts of such men as Mr. Gideon, Mr. Loudon and others, who were 
willing to sacrifice time and money, yes, even the comforts of life, that 
future generations might enjoy better and more hardy fruits than they. 
The people of the United States are most patriotic. Why? Because we pay 
the largest premium on true patriotism. As a nation our men are given 
due credit for what they do and dare. Now, shall we as representative 
horticulturists, in Minnesota, begin such a policy just now, making the 
memory and family of Mr. Gideon an example? I believe we should. Here 
is a testimonial to Mr. Gideon by Prof. Goff, which appears in The Fruit- 
man of November. 
Madison, Wis., Oct. 18, 1899. 
Editor Fruitman:—I like the proposition made by a correspondent of the 
Rural New Yorker, that each grower of the Wealthy apple send to Mr. 
Gideon one cent each year for each bearing tree of the Wealthy in his pos- 
session. Too little appreciation is given to the originators of truly valuable 
fruits. 
It will be a profound shame if Mr. Gideon is permitted to suffer for lack 
of the ordinary comforts of life in his declining years, and I know of no 
more sensible way to relieve him than the one proposed by the correspondent 
above referred to. I suggest that growers of the Wealthy apple who are 
willing to agree to carry out this plan send in their names to The Fruitman, 
and that the money be sent to Mr. Gideon on Christmas of each year. 
The count of Wealthy apple trees should include all that have ever borne 
fruit and that are still alive, and not simply the number that chance to bear 
in any given year. I am willing to join this club, if the proposition meets 
with sufficient favor to form a club at all. EK. S. GOFF. 
That sounds like business to me. I like it, too, and am willing to join 
such a club, which I think should be formed in every state where the 
Wealthy gives such great promise as a profitable commercial apple. Such a 
contribution would make his family comfortable, and we should enjoy this 
opportunity of giving or paying for what Mr. Gideon has given us. 
A word to the wise is sufficient. I agree with our worthy secretary, as 
