490 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Mr, Latham, as superintendent. If we did not have the largest, we 

 did have one of the most unique and best kept displaj^s there. In 

 conversation with Mr. Augustine, of Illinois, who was superintend- 

 ent of the Illinois exhibit, he complimented the Minnesota exhibit 

 very hio-hl3' and called my attention to the fact that they had copied 

 our display in installing- theirs. As I look back on the whole grand 

 scene, I ain impressed by the thought of what a great advantage to 

 horticulture it would be if at some future time we could have a 

 reproduction of the horticultural part, and nothing else to occupy 

 our tiine and attention. We could then more thoroughl}- see and 

 learn all that the great branch of horticulture contained for us. 



The interests of our society have been well inaintained the last 

 year, and although our membership is a trifle larger than it has been, 

 it does not increase as it shovild. The preiniums given were the 

 means of adding sixty-one new names, but the plan was not matured 

 early enough to advertise it as it deserved. I think it would be well 

 to continue the giving of premiums and to take more decided steps 

 for the formation of local societies. We ought to bring all classes 

 of farmers into inore intimate touch with the best thoughts in 

 advanced horticulture. I would suggest that we issue a blank form 

 of organization that can be adopted bj' local societies, providing for 

 semi-monthly meetings. Thej'^ could be held at some farm house, 

 and there should be one in every school district in the state. Topics 

 for discussion should be given them and their work outlined so it 

 would be interesting, amusing and instructive. A course of horti- 

 cultural reading should be outlined and blank forms of reports 

 provided that could be filled out and mailed to our secretary at the 

 close of the winter term of school. To inaugurate this plan, I would 

 have the secretary mail the necessary blanks and instructions to 

 the teacher in each school district, and ask their co-operation bj' 

 requesting the parents to ineet some evening and outline the plan 

 to thein and urge its adoption. 



If this can be done at once, I feel certain it will give an impetus to 

 the growth of our society that will be most gratif3'ing and do a 

 great amount of good. I am pleased to know that a local society 

 has been formed in Freeborn and Mower counties. It reflects great 

 credit on our members, who have taken the work in hand. If our sec- 

 retary could send out a lecturer to address local societies, it would 

 help and add greatly to their success. No doubt, manj^ of our mem- 

 bers would gladlj^ address societies that wished them, and our sec- 

 retary could arrange the matter, if application was made to hiin. 



A most excellent work is being done by the Farmers Institute, un- 

 der the very efficient management of Mr. O. C. Gregg; and it clearly 

 demonstrates what maj^ be accomplished bj^ intelligent organiza- 

 tion and proper application of work; but the several branches that 

 the institute work embraces makes it impossible to secure to us the 

 auxiliary societies of which I have spoken, or to thoroughlj^ reach 

 all sections of the state. Our society is indebted to Prof. S. B. Green 

 for his able care of the Experiment Station, and our state is sure 

 to reap a rich reward for the work done bj^ the State School of Agri- 

 culture and Horticulture at St. Anthony Park. 



Your attention is called to a defect in the work of our committees. 

 There should be printed instructions given each committee, defin- 

 ing the nature of their work and their report lo the society. 



One thing that handicaps our society is the indisposition of the 

 railroads to give us reduced rates. Last year they required us to 

 present at one time one hundred receipts for full fare paid one way 

 to secure a return at one-third fare. This year the number is in- 

 creased to two hundred and fifty. Our members are comings and 

 going during the four days of our session, while some travel on 

 mileage, so that it is impossible to secure the reduced rate. Many 

 of our ineinbers are living comfortablj^ bj' being economical, and 

 they cannot afford the expense consequent upon a trip to Minneap- 

 olis. The same is true of other associations, the Bee-Keepers, the 



