ANNUAL MEETING, 1897. | 491 
‘“‘Best Five Grapes for Market.” A. D. Leach, Excelsior. 
(See index). 
Discussion. — 
The President: We will now listen to a paper by Dr. Fris- 
selle. 
‘‘ Mall Pruning the Vineyard.” Dr. M. M. Frisselle, Eureka. 
(See index). 
Discussion. 
‘‘The Grape in Domestic Economy.” Mrs. D. F. Akin, Far- 
mington. (See index). 
‘‘My Home in a Vineyard.” Mrs. Isabella Barton, Excel- 
sior. (See index). 
Discussion. 
The President: We have with us a representative of the 
press, Mr. S. M. Owen, and we would like to hear whether he 
has any word of comfort or cheer that he can offer the horti- 
culturists of Minnesota. 
Mr. Dartt: Or any kicks that he has to bestow. (Laughter). 
Hon. S. M. Owen: What can Isayto you? They say I have got 
lots of time. I did not come here to teach you anything. I cannot 
do that in your line. Perhaps there are some things I know a little 
more of than you do, but so far as fruit growing is concerned I 
would like to sit here asa student, and listen to those little spats 
and differences of opinion you sometimes indulgein. I like those 
little inoffensive thrusts of my friend Dartt, because it does not 
hurt me, and I know he enjoysit. I like to listen to the knowledge 
and experience you have gained during the past year, and I like to 
see you get together in a social way, and I like to hear you criticize 
each other in a friendly way in relating your various experiences at 
these annual meetings, and I1can imagine how pleasant it is for 
you to come together, you who are of one thought, who are pursu- 
ing one object, who are of one faith in regard to this great question 
-of fruit growing in this great state, and I can see very plainly that 
you must enjoy these meetings in a social way. AsIsit here and 
listen to you, and asI pass through this exhibit you are making here 
and contrast the meetings, contrast the exhibit, contrast your 
annual report with that little one of some thirty odd years ago, 
merely alittle pamphlet, when I now look at the present report, 
which isa large book of horticultural literature, I can see by the 
growth of your report what you have been doing,if not by the other 
things I have seen here today. When I first knew of your society 
you had alittle handful ot fruits, your exhibit did not cut any figure 
at all,and what we did see were some little frail things that had 
been coddled through the fall and winter that you might show 
them here at this exhibit. The exhibit here today tells the story of 
your achievements. It tells of the ambition, the perseverence, the 
faith and the labor you have put into this business of horticulture, 
and any man,Icare not who heis, who recalls these things, and 
