president's annual addeess. 15 



this field we have literally nothing to fear from the states east, south 

 or west of us. 



In the matter of cherry culture, the way seems clearer than here- 

 tofore, till we reach the large sweet ones like the Black Heart and 

 Black Tartarian. 



Much is to be expected from the further development of the 

 sand cherry by selection, hybridization and careful cultivation. 



There is a future too for all our native cherries. Enough dif- 

 ference has already been established among the varieties to make 

 a good foundation for great improvement. When sufficient dif- 

 ferentiation shall have been made to secure clean cut varieties by 

 crossing, the advancement will be comparatively rapid. The great 

 advantage of these native kinds over exotics is that they are per- 

 fectly hardy to begin with, while those brought in from abroad are 

 almost without exception tender or half hardy, and it takes longer 

 to bring them into a condition which will adapt them to the new 

 climate than to develop size and quality in our native species. 



It is evident that we have abundance to do, but the quality of 

 the work is so pleasant and success so sure that there is no drudgery 

 about it. This fact alone is sufficient guaranty of progress, sure 

 and swift. There are other native fruits that may sometime be im- 

 proved, but I have named the principal ones. Let future generations 

 lift them into usefulness. 



In closing let me say that great good comes to our several com- 

 munities and to the state from these annual meetings. To say that 

 the work of the horticulturist has been worth millions to Minnesota 

 would be no exaggeration. It may not be altogether out of place 

 here to remark that the state has thus far failed to appreciate what 

 has been done in the past by this society, but the time has come 

 when knowledge begins to abound and facts to so multiply that all 

 are being brought to a realizing sense of the forward strides that 

 have been made along horticultural lines, and credit begins to be 

 given where credit has so long been due. But it is not credit so 

 much as help that we have been begging for, lo, these many years. 

 It has seemed that the state for which we have worked so long 

 and so faithfully without a thought of personal gain should put 

 her shoulder to the wheel and make common cause with us in hur- 

 rying along the "good time coming." Now it is about ready to do it 

 and though 



"We may not live to see the day, 

 Earth shall glisten in the ray 

 Of the good time coming." 



