22 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Week in the City." How much handsomer the fruit display, how 

 much more there is for us in the papers and discussions ; how much 

 better the bouquet, if our best girl has enjoyed it all with us. 

 All of which is respectfully submitted. 



Wm. Robertson, C. E. Older, J. L. Tiegland, Committee. 



REPORT OF EXECUTIVE BOARD, 1903. 



WYMAN ELLIOT, CHAIRMAN. 



The duties of the board have not been very arduous, having met 

 only four times during the past year. Under the efficient manage- 

 ment of your secretary, and the method of conducting the principal 

 business of importance through correspondence, there was but small 

 need for meetings of the full board. 



The accounts of the secretary and treasurer were audited by your 

 committee, and also on motion of Secretary Latham it was voted 

 to request the Public Examiner to examine the books of the secre- 

 tary's office. Complying with this motion and to further safeguard 

 the financial record of the society, the State Public Examiner has 

 been over the books and reported them correct. 



On account of Wm. Somerville selling his farm, the new occu- 

 pant, not desiring to continue the experiment work, the station at 

 Viola was discontinued. 



A. B. Lyman was appointed superintendent of trial station late 

 in charge of his father, H. M. Lyman, deceased. 



Your committee are considering the question of establishing a 

 new trial station for growing and propagating of seedling apples, 

 plums and other fruits. The records of such a station should be 

 kept in a manner as to be easily intelligible to whoever may be 

 superintendent or manager. We have thought of recommending 

 that the society make application to our state legislature for an 

 appropriation for the purpose of making proper time tests with all 

 desirable seedlings grown, contributed or placed there for trial only. 

 We are convinced that much labor, expense and time would be saved 

 to the citizens of the state if seedling experiments could be con- 

 ducted by persons possessing the very best ability, where conven- 

 iences, appliances, soils and environment are suitably supplied for 

 producing the greatest results. The success of such experiment 

 work would depend upon soil conditions and environment, and to 

 make it permanent the station should be under the fostering care of 

 the state rather than be conducted by private individuals, who often 

 change or tire of such work. Such a station should be of a suffi- 

 cient size to give each individual tree ample space in which to grow, 

 under the most advantageous conditions possible, instead of follow- 



