68 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



chance, and the fact that the orchard is doing so well is proof posi- 

 tive that no one risks anything in planting the hardier varieties of 

 apples and plums on any soil that will raise timothy hay or small 

 grain on any location anywhere in northeastern Iowa or south- 

 eastern Minnesota. To be sure, the orchard may not be as long lived 

 as in some of the "down east" localities, but it will prove a good in- 

 vestment just the same. Everything about the premises showed the 

 careful management of a skillful workman, for Mr. Ivins works with 

 his hands as well as brain and is doing the community a great serv- 

 ice, which we hope he finds appreciated in the substantial way it de- 

 serves. Mr. Ivins is very enthusiastic in his praise of some of the va- 

 rieties he is propagating, especially of apples. The Arctic he claims 

 perfectly hardy with him and that it has a record of all the qualities 

 that go to make a No. i apple as far north as Crookston in this state. 

 It originated in New Hampshire. He has also the Aport, the Adam- 

 son and the Boikin, all of which have a great future with him. We 

 noticed the thriftiness of these varieties in the nursery row, especially 

 the Arctic. Some specimens made a growth the first season of five 

 feet, and the whole row would average over four feet and as smooth 

 and clean as a bullrush. 



We doubt if money would have bought them, yet at the close of 

 the meeting every one who wished, brought away scions of those 

 valuable varieties, which had been cut at the proper time and prop- 

 erly labeled, a free gift from Mr. Ivins. He is a veritable home mis- 

 sionary. May his tribe increase ! 



Tuesday evening's session was well attended, opening with 

 music by a quartet of Iowa Fall's sweet singers. Address of wel- 

 come by Mayor Williams was hearty and earnest and brought down 

 the house. The responses by the Rockford editor, J. S. Trigg, 

 voiced the sentiment of the visiting brethren and put every one in 

 the best of humor. 



The program was fully carried out. Elmer Reeves, of Waverly, 

 J. C. Ferris and S. W. Ferris, of Hampton, all prominent orchardists 

 of northeastern Iowa, filled in the time with interesting papers along 

 their line of work, and many timely hints were dropped by the way. 



The Wednesday morning session opened with prayer by Rev. 

 J. Mulholland. The president's address was nothing more or less 

 than what every one that knows the gentleman has come to expect, 

 a mesage of wisdom and good counsel. 



W. A. Burnap, of Clear Lake, insisted in his most emphatic 

 manner that the time is here and cannot longer be delayed that we 

 come to some understanding in regard to the Northwestern Green- 

 ing. Either recommend it or warn against it. He called for the 



