CO fficial eports. 
PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 
‘J. M. UNDERWOOD, LAKE CITY, 
_ Members of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society:—A 
review of the events of the past year brings with it a feeling of sad- 
ness as in thought we dwell upon the loss the society has sustained 
through the death of some of its most valuable members. Their 
} counsel, drawn from the storehouse of ripe experience, will be 
greatly missed. Ever ready with their strong support to advance 
all horticultural projects, personal interests and profit were laid 
aside that questions of vital importance and general interest to the 
society might be considered. But brief mention of the different 
ones will be indulged in, as the usual committee will present 
suitable resolutions for adoption. 
Martin W. Cook, of Rochester, was the first to lay his work aside. 
Never very strong in health, yet he was a most systematic and 
thorough workman. Very modest and unassuming in his ways, 
his genial kindness will ever be remembered by his friends. 
_ #.J. Cutts, of Howard Lake. Earnest and successful in his work, 
his crowning labor had taken form as instructor in horticulture at 
the Farmers’ Institutes. It will be a difficult task to find one who 
can fill his place. ; 
_ Michael Pearce, of Chowen. A man of strong personality, vigor- 
-ousin speech. He was always to be found in the front rank and 
_ never shrank from any call to duty. 
Warren W. Pendergast, of Hutchinson. It is hard to be called 
upon to part with one so young. He would have brought to the 
horticultural world the vigor and strength of early manhood, ac- 
_ companied by rare ability and education. 
_ Just before the present meeting, the word comes that the ranks 
have again been broken by the death of William Danforth, of Red 
Wing. His benevolent heart, that found expression in his genial 
_ face and kindly, quiet ways, will always be remembered by his 
many friends. 
One and all have left examples of self-sacrificing interest in hor- 
 ticulture, that have been the means of placing the work in the front 
rank of progressive achievements. May we honor them by taking 
up our line of duty with renewed energy. 
nate in having so competent and faithful a secretary to care for its 
interests during the time intervening between the meetings. He 
_has succeeded in publishing monthly reports, although it looked at 
One time as though it would be an utter impossibility to go on with 
them, through lack of an appropriation. Relief was found and it 
In the work of the past year the society has been extremely fortu- 
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