SOUTHERN MINNESOTA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 83 



The paper by Miss Gertrude Ellis, Superintendent of Schools, 

 Mower county, on "Planting- the School Grounds," was especially 

 valuable in a section where the average school ground is, as de- 

 scribed by her, a picture of utter desolation. 



The aim and work of the Woman's Improvement League of Albert 

 Lea was well set forth by Mrs. Chas. Braiuerd, and it wpuld seem 

 that such an organization might be of great value in every city and 

 village in the land. Much of value was sug-gested in the five min- 

 ute talks by several citizens of Albert Lea and Austin which fol- 

 lowed, and the session closed with the feeling that a reunion of the 

 improvement forces of a community once a year might be made a 

 delightful occasion. 



At the business meeting of the society at nine o'clock Thursday 

 morniug, the responsibility of the telegraph and telephone and 

 lighting companies for the mutilation of shade trees was discussed, 

 and D. R. P. Hibbs, Esq., of Albert Lea, was, by a resolution of the 

 society, requested to draw up a law which will give the owners of 

 such trees some reasonable protection from the despoiling hand of 

 these companies. Hon. Eugene Secor, J. B. Mitchell and Kdson 

 Gaylord were made honorary members of the society. 



The following resolution was passed: 



Resolved: That we ask the legislature of our state to enact a law, similar to 

 the Iowa law, making compulsory the planting, protecting and maintaining of a 

 certain number of shade and ornamental trees on the school grounds of the dis- 

 trict schools of the state. 



The secretary's report showed that there was a membership of 

 twenty-eight in the society up to the beginning- of the present meet- 

 ing and that there was an unexpended balance in the treasury of 

 $35.37. Report was referred to an auditing committee. 



A long and careful discussion here followed on the relation of the 

 auxilliary societies to the state society, the feeling- generally pre- 

 vailing that the sum raised b)^ the local societies was all needed at 

 home to promote the growth and usefulness of the several socie- 

 ties. 



The following- resolution was finall}^ passed without a dissenting- 

 voice. 



Resolved: That it is the sentiment of this society that the local horticultural 

 societies of this state should receive financial aid from the state, in order that 

 thej' may be able to offer premiums for fruit grown in their several sections, pro- 

 vide themselves with outside counsel and teaching and in general assist the 

 legitimate -work of such societies, and that a committee of three be appointed by 

 the chair to confer with the state society in regard to this matter. 



The chair appointed Jonathan Freeman, F. W. Kimball and J. C. 

 Hawkins such committee. 



The election of officers resulted in the following- being- elected 

 by acclamation: 



President, J. C. Hawkins, Austin; vice president, Jonathan Free- 

 man, Austin; secretary, Clarence Wedge, Albert Lea; Ex. Com., F, 

 W. Kimball, Austin, Geo. H. Prescott, Albert Lea. 



The following were constituted a committee on the revision of the 

 constitution: F. W. Kimball, Jens. A. Jensou, J. R. Page. 



