248 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Let us sum up the needs of the average child on the average 

 farm, where most of the work has to be done by the parents and the 

 children. 



1. Something that will make the home attractive and in- 

 terest him in the work he has to do. 



2. Time to enjoy andvprofit by this possession. 



3. Companionship. Play. Sympathy. Right understanding 

 by some one of his aims. 



4. Opportunity for mental growth. 



5. Business training — a chance to earn more money for him- 

 self. 



With these needs in mind I should think that if such a work 

 was undertaken by the State Horticultural Society it ought to in- 

 clude everything for which the State Horticultural Society stands, 

 and the object ought to be to make horticulturists of the very best 

 type out of these country school children. To do that it must 

 meet them more than half way. Offer them a cordial invitation 

 through the pages of your magazine to join the society. Make 

 horticulture attractive to them. Let them know they have your 

 sympathy, and that they are asked to become a part of your impor- 

 tant state organization. Offer them special inducements in the 

 form of premiums at your annual meetings and at the state fair. 

 Let them know that all efforts in behalf of horticulture will be 

 recognized and appreciated. Have a few pages of the Horticul- 

 turist magazine devoted to topics of special use and interest to them. 



Of course, free distribution of seed would be out of the ques- 

 tion. The Horticultural Society ought not to be expected to 

 assume such an expense. On the other hand, I do not think it 

 ought to expect to make money by the operation; its reward ought 

 to be of another kind. For that reason I think some such plan 

 as that of the Junior Nature Study Club, of Cornell University, 

 would be excellent. The dues, as you know, are in the form of 

 letters written on topics drawn from personal experience. The 

 magazine is a very important feature of the work, and I should 

 think little clubs of ten in the schools could subscribe for that and 

 have it sent to the school. 



I think a generous missionary spirit in the work would be well 

 repaid. We have considered the needs of the children; the needs 

 of the Horticultural Society are not so well known to me. Two 

 needs I do know of, though: one is members — more members, 

 always more members. The other is a seedling apple tree "as 

 hardy and prolific as the Duchess, with fruit equal to the Wealthy 

 in size, quality and appearance, and that will keep as well as the 

 Malinda." 



