THE STATE PRESS. 467 



Another way to secure attention to the work of the members of 

 this society by our home papers is to get our fruit productions par- 

 agraphed in newspapers out of the state. "Go from home to hear 

 the news" ia an old, familiar and trite saying. Nothing pinks the 

 pride of a Minnesota editor more than to see his state products 

 favorably mentioned in papers out of the state. It is then that he 

 will be sure to adjust himself to a convenient pair of shears, and the 

 clipping, with comments, will appear in an early issue of his paper; 

 and this act also arouses his own personal interest. 



The third suggested point to bring into closer fraternal touch the 

 bond that should exist between the state press and state horticulture 

 is by aiding and encouraging the formation of local auxiliary soci- 

 eties throughout the state, the members of which will not only be 

 expected to keep alive by work and experimentation an interest in 

 fruit culture here, but whose business it will be to see that repre- 

 sentative exhibits are made at all county fairs. These will not only 

 be instructive object lessons to visitors but should be attractive 

 enough to draw out liberal press notices. 



I am a firm believer in printer's ink and feel sure that the apathy 

 sometimes shown to horticulture by the press is largely due to the 

 want of accurate information, which should be supplied. There is 

 a state pride, previously alluded to, that is shared in b}- every loyal 

 editor and publisher which will assert itself in behalf of any sub- 

 ject which proves a worthy one, that is supported by something 

 more than half-hearted enthusiasm by its promoters. 



There is a work to be done to relieve the state from the stigma of 

 an unfounded suspicion against fruit culture, which undeniably 

 has taken root, and, if the friends of horticulture will appeal sensi- 

 bly to the press, backed up as they are by the flattering success 

 already achieved, the appeal will not be made in vain. Throughout 

 the length and breadth of Minnesota, rich rewards have returned to 

 the lap of the fruit culturist who, having studied the peculiar char- 

 acter of his soil and climate, has met the conditions and achieved 

 success. 



The needs of the occasion remind me of the story of the good old 

 Baptist preacher in Chicago, when that municipality was in knee 

 pants. It was in the early days out west, and the preacher had to 

 divide his labors between two parishes, one of which was in the 

 north end and the other in the east end of the town. One Sabbath 

 had been arranged in which to baptize new converts and babies 

 and in announcing the event the good brother gave it to his people 

 in these words: "Brethren and sisters, I wish to give notice, so that 

 there shall be no misunderstanding. In the morning, we will bap- 

 tize men at the north end, and in the evening, we will baptize the 

 women in the east end, but we will baptize the babies at both ends." 

 Like the babies, Minnesota horticulture will stand baptism at both 

 ends. 



If this brief review of the relation of the state press to horticulture 

 has demonstrated anything, it is a situation that places the press 

 in the position most ready and eager to be convinced that horticul- 

 ture should be encouraged. It remains, then, for the society lo 



