62 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Our society keeps in close touch with the horticulturists of 

 northern Iowa, who cheerfully give their help in our annual 

 meeting's. 



The inducement given by our State Horticultural Society, in 

 requiring only a nominal membership fee from members of local 

 eocieties, encourages all of our members to join the parent society. 



Only a few of our members can attend the meetings of the State 

 Horticultural Society, but all can come to the meetings of our local 

 society, and all can enjoy a monthly feast of good things in the 

 pages of the " Minnesota Horticulturist." 



Our society does not attempt to hold a summer meeting, but aims 

 to arrange a comprehensive and practical program for our annual 

 meeting, and then makes an effort to get the people to come. If they 

 come, they are sure to become interested and stay as members. 



To encourage apple growers and bring out a good display of the 

 king of fruits at our annual meeting in January, at Spring Valley, 

 liberal premiums have been offered by the Wedge Nursery, 

 Morgan & Sons Nurserj' and also by our society. 



The ambition. of our society is not only to interest and encourage 

 the people of our territory, so that they may realize and take 

 advantage of the possibilities of this part of the state as a fruit 

 country, but also to educate and ground them in the true principles 

 of horticulture, so that this corner of our great Minnesota orchard 

 shall be a " banner waste" for the large armj^ of frauds who give in 

 return for good money, onlj' disappointment, discouragement and 

 worthless nursery stock. 



ANNUAL MEETING, 1899, SOUTHERN MINNESOTA 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



R. PARKHILL, SECRETARY, CHATFIELD. 



The sixth annual meeting of this society was held January 18 and 

 19, 1899, in Armory Hall, Spring Valley. 



The attendance during the day sessions reached as high as 140, 

 and an audience of about 350 enjoyed the evening session. 



Our state society was well represented at the meeting and on the 

 program by J. S. Harris, Prof. S. B. Green and E. H. S. Dartt. 



J. H. Upton, Cresco, la., represented the Northeastern Iowa Horti- 

 cultural Society, and C. G. Patten, J. B. Mitchell and A. E. Bents^ 

 prominent horticulturists from northern Iowa, were present and 

 took an active interest in the meeting. The visiting friends from 

 Iowa were welcomed as honorary members of this society for the 

 ensuing year. 



The apple exhibit was of varieties kept in cellars, no cold storage 

 fruit being allowed to compete. In all 132 plates were shown by 

 ten exhibitors. 



A few of the speakers failed to attend, but a full program brought 

 out the fact that President Hawkins is a model presiding officer. 



The opening address by President Hawkins was very encour- 

 aging, helpful and bristling with valuable suggestions. 



