J^NNUAL MEETING, 1896. 499 



hearing the problem discussed of the effect that climate has 

 upon men. We had a man come up here to the G. A. R. 

 encampment this past summer, and when he came home he was 

 so lame he could hardly walk. He said, "On my way home in 

 going to the depot in St. Paul I got wet, and I sat on the train 

 all night and got the pneumatics." (Laughter). He was about 

 as old as Mr. Kellogg, but as I woke up on the train last night 

 I saw Mr. Kellogg, and I thought if he would risk the climate 

 I would risk it also. 



Pres. Underwood: I hope you will find sufficient vigor in 

 the manhood of Minnesota to at least give you a good impres- 

 sion of the state and, especially, of the members of our horti- 

 cultural society, and we welcome you all to the deliberations 

 of our society and trust you will take a prominent part in all 

 our discussions. Now, Mr. Kellogg, will you say a word? 



Mr. Kellogg, (Wisconsin): Mr. Chairman I think I have 

 talked about enough. T promised the president I would quit 

 talking after the strawberry question was disposed of, but I 

 shall probably keep on talkiag as long as I live — but I want to 

 tell you one thing; believe only one half of what I say and 

 take that with a little allowance. (Laughter). This is not my 

 first visit to Minnesota. My oldest daughter resides in your 

 city, and I sort of regard this as my home. Harris regards 

 Wisconsin as his home, and we do not take it amiss when we 

 see him there. 



Mr. Dartt: I think your committee overlooked Mr. J. G. 

 Patten, who has just arrived. 



Pres. Underwood: We are very glad to know that Mr. Patten 

 is with us. I think probably the committee has not yet received 

 his credentials. Mr. Patten, we are glad to welcome you as 

 an old friend and hope we shall often hear from you during 

 our session. 



Mr. Patten, (Iowa): Members of the Minnesota society, I 

 am glad to be with you again, and during your deliberations I 

 may have some words to say. 



Pres. Underwood then delivered the annual address. 



"President's Annual Address." J. M. Underwood, Lake City. 

 (See index. ) 



Pres. Underwood: The next item on the program is the re- 

 port of the Executive Board by the chairman, Mr. Wyman 

 Elliot. 



