10 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tablished. And let me saj'' rig^ht here, we cannot give too much 

 credit to our secretar}^ Mr. Latham, for his able assistance in bring- 

 ing- this about. He has proved himself, as we knew he would, the 

 right man in the right place, and the commendation he has received 

 from all sources, I consider well deserved. 



I wish to congratulate our society on the splendid exhibit of fruit 

 and flowers that was made at the State Fair. It was a fine compli- 

 ment to the success of horticulture in Minnesota. But oh! the groans 

 that came from exhibitors over the meagre premiums that were 

 paid were heart rending. And when a pig that can be raised in six 

 months is considered of greater importance than the fruit of a tree 

 that has required years of care, it is little wonder that exhibitors are 

 disgusted. 



A. year ago the meagre representation of our society in the State 

 Agricultural Societj'^ was discussed and resolutions adopted look- 

 ing to its correction. Let us still further urge our claims. With 

 proper encouragement on the part of that societj'', we could easily 

 put up an exhibit that would fill the whole building that is now 

 shared with the agricultural exhibit. 



Our Farmers' Institute has still proved a great medium for the 

 dissemination of knowledge in progressive farming. It is a field we 

 ought to keep f ull}^ occupied. It is ours if we are a mind to use it. 

 If we allow the horse to browse our trees, the cow to despoil our 

 evergreens; if we allow in our institute, Gregg", Louis and Tillson to 

 pass the milk, cheese and butter, the roast pork, chicken and eggs, 

 and fail to "Wedge" in the apples, grapes and strawberry shortcake, 

 we must not complain of our dinner. 



The season of '95 has been one of great value to the horticulturists 

 of Minnesota. There have been many and valuable experiences, and 

 I do not doubt but that when our sessions close, we shall still pro- 

 nounce the last the best of all our meetings. 



REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR 1895. 



WYMAN ELLIOT, CHAIRMAN. 



The past year marks another milestone in the advance of this so- 

 ciety toward greater usefulness to the population of this great state. 



Progress has been made in many directions for improving the 

 working conditions of this most progressive organization. One 

 year ago recommendation was made that application be made to 

 the state legislature for an additional appropriation for the support 

 and maintenance of this society. Thri>ugh the influence of friends 

 in and out of the legislature, we have succeeded in making some 

 changes in the publication of our reports that are very advanta- 

 geous to the interests of horticulture through the whole state, and 

 with the additional five hundred dollars received, we shall be able 

 to broaden and widen the scope of our work very materially. 



As the state develops and the people become more enlightened, 

 we find the demands for horticultural education greater among tjie 

 masses. 



Increased membership calls for increased facilities for teaching 



