1 6 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



getting a plate since we have been able to secure the necessary 

 fruit have not been very successful. So far the proofs submitted 

 have not come up to the high standard required, but we are in 

 hopes yet to attain our purpose so that the book may be issued the 

 coming year, if the demand for it shall warrant it. The issuance of 

 the prospectus to precede this book has been postponed until at 

 this period of the year, just before the annual meetings of the va- 

 rious state societies, when it was hoped it would receive a more gen- 

 eral and careful consideration. This prospectus is now being sent 

 out, and we are awaiting results with some solicitude. 



The library of the society has received during the past year a 

 large number of additions, about 275 volumes having been record- 

 ed in the register. With a few exceptions, these books have come 

 to us in the way of exchanges, being horticultural and experiment 

 station reports. The late John S. Harris devised to the society a 

 number of valuable volumes, the most valuable of which is a regis- 

 ter of varieties of apples and plums growing in the state and is the 

 work of his own hands. Aside from the worth of its contents, this 

 book is most highly prized on account of its being the personal 

 work of the donor. Among the books of special interest donated 

 by Mr. Harris is a large volume entitled "Forest Trees, Fruits, 

 Etc.", printed in London in 1706. The book is in a good state of 

 preservation, notwithstanding its extreme age. "The American 

 Gardeners' Calendar," under date 1806 is also an interesting work. 

 In the list of books from Mr. Harris are also thirteen volumes of 

 the "Horticulturist," from 1861 to 1875, and eight volumes of the 

 "Gardeners' Monthly," 1873 to 1877. These books from Mr. Har- 

 ris' librarv will be gathered in a bookcase by themselves and suit- 

 ably inscribed. 



The finances of the society, I am pleased to report, are in a verv 

 flourishing condition, notwithstanding the necessarily large out- 

 lays on account of the extent of the work being done. Following 

 is a statement of the receipts and disbursements in connection with 

 the secretary's office during the past year : 



■RECEIPTS. 



Advertisements $162.25 



Life membership fees 150.00 



Minn. State Fair 8.00 



Gideon Mem. Fund. 10.03 



Express charges repaid 5-35 



Books sold 15-30 



Railway tickets sold 4 • 2 5 



Programs sold 6 . 50 



Annual Membership fees, 1897 1 00 



Annual Membership fees, 1901 : 73^ 00 



Annual Membership fees, 1902 ' 163.00 



$1,256.68 



