HORTICULTURE AT THE STATE FAIR. 281 



My subject is "Horticulture at the State Fair." I hope what I have 

 said upon horticulture is appropriate and to the point, but it will 

 not be strauge if you are beginning to wonder where there is any 

 reference to the fair. Let me tell you. Each time the horticultur- 

 ists of the state have made a creditable exhilnt at the fair — and all of 

 their exhibits are creditable — all horticultural interests have been 

 materially advanced and a new impetus is given to the prosperity, 

 health and happiness of the people of the state. Horticulturists 

 have benefited themselves, for each has studied the points of 

 excellence in his neighbor's exhibit, thus gaining greater knowledge 

 of his occupation and having his ambition to excel materially 

 strengthened. You have also benefited those less thrifty people 

 who so far have taken no interest iti fruits and flowers. When you 

 have placed before them this valuable object lesson upon what you 

 have produced, j'ou have said to them plainl}^, "Go thou and do 

 like%vise." Some will surely heed the injunction. There are many 

 homes in the newer prairie regions without shade and where not so 

 much as a strawberry bed or a row of currant bushes can be found, 

 and when into these you have introduced either fruits or flowers, 

 even to a small extent, you have just so far added to the total of 

 human happiness, and the common weal is again protnoted. 



Those exhibitors, like J. S. Harris, Wm. Somerville, Clarence 

 Wedge, M. Pearce, Ditus Day and others who might be mentioned, 

 who stay with their exhibits during the fair for the purpose of making 

 explanations to interested visitors, deserve much credit. When these 

 men tell visitors how they have accomplished good results in the 

 various branches of their work, the varieties that have proved most 

 hardy, how to care for trees, shrubs and plants during severe sea- 

 sons, and explain in a plain, matter-of-fact wa3" the manj'^ details of 

 their chosen occupation, they are doing educational work, the value 

 of which is very great. Among the public benefactors of todaj^, 

 these aggressive pioneers in successful horticulture should be 

 placed in the front rank. 



A special service was performed for the state by the exhibit at 

 this year's fair. The attendance at the fair was unusuallj^ large. 

 Mau3^ of them came from older and more thickly settled portions of 

 the country and, it is believed, not only to see the many attractions 

 in the cities and upon the fair grounds at the same time but for the 

 purpose of learning the opportunities offered by Minnesota to those 

 seeking new homes in the west. The greatest prejudice, so far as 

 Minnesota is concerned, existing in the minds of these visitors has 

 been produced by exaggerated stories of the severity' of our climate, 

 and this was largely dispelled by that exhibit. Where such a wealth 

 and variety of fruits and flowers are grown, it is certain that the 

 elements are not inhospitable to human kind. I think it may be 

 fairly claimed that that horticultural exhibit will have an important 

 influence in attracting new settlers to the state during the next few 

 years. 



In closing I wish to say that the officers and members of the State 

 Agricultural Society not only feel a deep interest in the work of 

 this, the State Horticultural Society, but appreciate the active and 

 valuable assistance of its members at their great annual exhibitions. 

 May this spirit of interest and helpfulness, each for the other, 

 continue through the years to the mutual advantage of both organ- 

 izations. 



