OFFICIAL REPORTS. 9 



who have studied their habits that they work so constantly in the 

 <jr()iind they prevent it from solidifyiiii;-, by spading-, so as to speak, 

 and turning it over several times in a season; and yet they do it so 

 quietly and unseen that we do not give them credit for doing any- 

 thing. Thus it is with mankind, those that perform most make the 

 least fuss about it. Action, then, is the mainspring of all spiritual, 

 mental or physical growth. It is, therefore, the basis on which we, 

 as a society, must work and develop the object for wliich we are 

 banded together. 



The horticulture of Minnesota cannot stand still; it must either 

 go hack to wornn' crabs or forward to perfect forms of the highest 

 type of apples. We may sometimes oscillate back and forth with 

 varying degrees of success and failure, Ijut we cannot stand still; 

 and if, like going Ijack to visit the streams of childhood, sonieof our 

 friends that have laid down their work on earth could come to us 

 again, they would tind that we have made marked progress, that ac- 

 tion had been with us, as with them, the rule of life. The harder the 

 fight, the greater the obstacles to overcome, the greater must be our 

 activity. There is nothing so selfish as to stand serenely by while 

 others work, no matter in what position in life we are placed and I 

 reflect with pleasure on the splendid work of those who have done 

 so much to advance the cause of horticulture in our state. The 

 voices of our veteran friends ring with cheers of "Onward to ac- 

 tion!" and as I contemplate the lesson and example of Stevens, and 

 Grimes, and Harris, and Elliot, and Fuller, and Dartt, and Lord, and 

 Daj', and Frisselle,and the tall sycamore of horticulture, Wm.Somer- 

 ville, and a score of others, mj^ heart beats with pride that for the 

 past thirty years I have been permitted to be an active co-worker 

 with them, sitting at their feet for council and encouragement. I 

 stand now in life where they were when I first knew them, and al- 

 though their heads have grown gray and their sight, perhaps, more 

 dim, still their hearts are the same large, wartu fountains of en- 

 couragement and good cheer that find expression in the clear voice 

 of familiar command to press forward in our work to the ultimate 

 and final triumph of success for horticulture in Minnesota. We who 

 now share the fruits of tlieir labor must step up and take our places 

 in performing the heavier work that has become too great a burden 

 for their years. 



It would be a pleasure to me to rehearse here the features of our 

 work for the past year, but there would be so much to say that I 

 should worry you, and as they will all l)e brought out in the reports 

 of our committees and their discussions, I will forbear to antici- 

 pate them. I must, however, speak of a few things I deem of great 

 importance to our secretary. First, let me say that it has been a most 

 fortunate change for good in having our proceedings pul)lished in 

 monthly form, and I think those of us who have helped to bring this 

 about can indulge in a feeling of justifiable pride in its success. 



It is a commendable thing to map out a course in life and work 

 through all obstacles to achieve a purpose, but it is a much smarter 

 thing to recognize an opportunity and grasp it, and this is what 

 was done wlien the Minnesota State Horticultural Society was ea- 



