‘SUMMER MEETING, 1898. 243 
Mr. Harris being called upon, responded with a few words about 
apples and strawberries for Minnesota. “I always go to the front,” 
he said,“when called upon. When Gen. Scott called me to the front 
in the Mexican war, I went. When Minnesota called me to the front 
to plant apple trees I went, and I still feel that I am at the front. 
The first apples we planted in Minnesota were from the far east. 
They were often not adapted to our soil or climate and were virtually 
dead when they got here. So thecroakers said we nevercould raise 
apples in this state, and when we attempted to develop the capacity 
of Minnesota the army of croakers had grown so large that it was 
difficult to find twelve men (and one of those was a woman) to put 
their names down to organize a horticultural society. It has not 
been conceded until lately that apples are a success here. But now 
the cry is: ‘You can’t raise winter apples in Minnesota.’ From all 
appearances the time is at hand when we can raise winter apples 
and become independent of all outsiders. Here isa plate of seed- 
ling apples from Mr. Siebenaler’s place in Hastings. They have been 
kept without any artificial aid and are still firm and sound. Mr, 
Siebenaler has never seen a blighted leaf on the tree, and never has 
given it any particular care, as he did not suppose it was worth any- 
thing. This isan interesting object lesson. We are spending thou- 
sands of dollars each year in sending to eastern nurseries, which 
we might better spend in experimentation at home. Save and plant 
seed of the hardiest and best apples you can find. Take careof the 
trees, and if they come into bearing, don’t ‘corner’ them. When you 
get trees send them throughout all the state so we can say Minne- 
sota is the best fruit state in the Union. 
‘Among the most promising strawberries I have seen this year is 
the Splendid, which originated in Illinois. It is ofuniform size and 
a good bearer. They say you can pick four quarts in five minutes. 
It is a good berry forthe market. I know of nothing better for the 
farmer than the Bederwood. The Warfield is the best for produc. 
tiveness, with the Lovett to fertilize it. The Brandywine is excel- 
lent for marketing, and in canning it comes out perfectin color. It 
is not so productive as the Bederwood, but the plants are strong 
and healthy and the berries easy to pick.” 
Col. J. H. Stevens was called upon by the president, meeting with 
hearty applause as he took the floor. Hesaid he fully appreciated 
the honor shown him, but as he could not make himself heard by 
all present, he would cut his remarks short, presenting only a reso- 
lution which he hoped would be adopted by the society. The reso- 
lution was as follows: 
WHEREAS, This society recognizes the value to the pomology of 
the Northwest of the experiments which Mr. Peter M. Gideon has 
been and is conducting at his home in Excelsior, and 
WHEREAS, By the recent fire destroying his residence and its con- 
tents, unprotected by insurance, he has been much crippled in his 
efforts to prosecute this important work: Now therefore, 
Resolved, That the executive board of this society be requested, 
if in their judgment the funds of the society will warrant the ex- 
' penditure, to appropriate $100 to aid Mr. Gideon in the continuance 
of these experiments, without, however, restrictions as to the use to 
which it may be put. 
