21 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



phasize its necessity. Aside from the practical value such a park 

 would be as a forest reserve and in the protection of our water sup- 

 ply, no other region presents as many points in its favor on the 

 aesthetic side. Its diversity, beauty and accessibility as a health re- 

 sort commends itself, and for these reasons something must be done 

 at once if it is to be preserved as such. 



Conditions have changed much since the time of the associa- 

 tion's organization, and now instead of the main issue being the en- 

 couragement of prairie planting it is merging into that great ques- 

 tion, which demands the best of statesmanship to handle — that of the 

 protection and restoration of our native timber tracts. Although 

 much good can yet be done in all of these lines, the latter will be pre- 

 eminent in the assertion of its rights. 



After the lapse of a quarter of a century since its organization, 

 those interested in the solution of the forestry problems have some 

 reason to feel encouraged by its present outlook. The general agita- 

 tion of these matters and growth of sentiment in their favor would 

 seem to indicate that we have come to that point where the people 

 see the necessity and should demand that forestry receive its due 

 consideration and place. Our legislative bodies must devote more 

 time to their consideration — they must view them fairly and with 

 increasing favor. The past year has brought out many facts to sub- 

 stantiate these statements, making it a year indicative of much com- 

 ing good to the forestry problems which confront Minnesota. 



THE GIDEON MEMORIAL FUND. 



OLIVER GIBBS, PRESCOTT, WIS. 



The President: Now we come to the Gideon Memorial Fund. 

 It was left with the executive committee a year ago to devise some 

 plan of what we should do that would be in consonance with Mr. 

 Gideon's life and character, something that he would like to have 

 done if anything at all was done. That is about where the matter 

 stands today, and I will say that our old friend, and the friend of 

 Mr. Gideon, and long a member of this society, Mr. Oliver Gibbs. 

 has been spoken to to suggest some plan by which this money can 

 be raised, and I will ask him to present his report now. 



The arrow of grief pierced our hearts a year ago and more, 

 when Mr. Gideon died. The eulogies of sorrow and of pi^aise have 

 been spoken. They appear in our annual report for the year just 

 closed. The shaft has been withdrawn, the sharp pain has left us, 

 the wound has healed over, our minds regarding him are in their 

 normal condition. For myself, I say, no more can I think of him 

 except with joy. It is therefore a pleasant duty that I have to speak 

 of him before you at this tim.e. And in doing so I must be governed 



