SUMMER MEETING, 1894. 227 



ner speakers, President Xorthrup, who, he remembered, used his 

 notes when he spolve before the society at the banquet given by Mrs. 

 Morrison in the winter of 1893: 



Perhaps, the best response that I could make to the sentiment 

 given me would be found in reading a few of the many words of 

 satisfaction that have come to me in my correspondence with a 

 small share of the members of our societj', with, as yet, not a word 

 of regret or complaint. 



Has it ever occurred to you that we are living in the golden age 

 of our art in the Northwest? The grandest j-ears of a nation, as of 

 an art, do not come after growth and perfection has been attained, 

 but are alwa3S found in the period of conquest, discovery and 

 advancement; when David is mastering the Philistines, when for 

 Rome, Scipio is struggling with Carthage, and when for Spain, Col- 

 umbus discovers America. The golden days are those of earnest 

 beginnings, of large obstacles, of new expedients, of great victories; 

 when the nobler qualities grow^ and expand, and selfishness slinks 

 awa}-. 



Horticulture has as much in store for us of Minnesota as she ever 

 had for our fathers in Xew York, but it will never come to vis by 

 cop3*ing. We shall have lo work out our own methods and vari- 

 eties. We have ransacked the world, and now, with the material in 

 hand and the experience of the past, we shall have to create — 3'es, 

 the dignity of creation may be put upon it — our own horticulture. 

 No mean task this of providing for the growing wants of our grow- 

 ing population, of originating those fruits and flowers that shall be 

 at home in our climate, and of spreading the useful knowledge that 

 we have gained among our fellows. In carrj^ing out this great work 

 that has fallen upon us, what tools can we use that will best help 

 us to the end in view? 



Those who have inet with us and enjoyed our annual ineetings 

 know with what fresh vigor we go back to our work, wishing only 

 that their good influences might be more frequently enjoyed, that 

 the opportunity to traffic in ideas with our brothers in this work 

 might come more often. 



And now, as the wish is father to the thought, so the thought has 

 been realized in the deed, and this 3ear in ''The ?Iiuaesota Horticul- 

 turist" we meet together once a month, almost look into the cor- 

 dial faces of our friends, learn of their trials and triumphs, of their 

 work and waj'S, and return to our toil with the cheerful feeling that 

 we are not alone, but one of a brotherhood. 



Our society occupies today the place of honor in two respects. 

 We are at the very front in wresting froin Nature her hardiest 

 treasures; and we are the first to send out our knowledge in the 

 modern way. These two facts ought to work greatl)^ to our advan- 

 tage and make our magazine and our products of good reputation. 



"The Minnesota Horticulturist," thou child of sturdj^ parentage, 

 born in due time under the auspicious pole star, with the mark of 

 fate upon thee, and a legacy of honor behind thee — we hail thy com- 

 ing! Maj' thj' infancy be strong in growth, thy j^ears in usefulness, 

 and thine age like the oak that shades our doorways! Under thy 

 counsel and leadership maj' the banners of the Minnesota State 



