14 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It would be very desirable if another class of books besides these 

 regular reports, which come to us g-ratuitously, could be added to 

 our library. I refer to various horticultural publications which are 

 issued as text books, or otherwise, and which cannot well be had in 

 anj' other way than by purchase, — although a few of these books 

 have at various times been presented to the societ}'. If the board 

 should in the future see fit to appropriate a small sum for this pur- 

 pose, it would be money well invested. We expect in time to fall 

 heir to the libraries of some of our members and other friends of the 

 society, but, as additions of this kind involve the loss of companion- 

 ship of those who are endeared to us, we willingly postpone as long 

 as can be such acquisitions. 



The assistant librarian reports no material change in regard to the 

 stock of books stored at Pillsbury Hall, he having sent out during 

 the past 5'ear onl}' three files, besides a few small packag-es, most of 

 the reports being sent directlj^ from the secretar3''s office. The only 

 addition to this reserved store are the reports of 1894. 



Membership — The annual inembership for the year 1895 now num- 

 bers 459, which is a few less than the year before. (Since writing- this 

 report the number has been increased to 480, and is steadily growing.) 

 There are a number of natural causes for this, and it need not be a 

 source of discouragement to us. I will mention of these: First, the 

 premiums offered in 1894 were altogether too liberal and attracted 

 some for them alone, who, being unable to secure premiums the sec- 

 ond year, dropped out. Second, the magazine not being published, 

 pending the action of the legislature, until late last spring, no 

 special effort could be made early in the year to increase the list 

 and that valuable time was in some degree lost. Of course, also, the 

 condition of the times and general scarcity of money affected us 

 very materially. With the active assistance of all the interested 

 meinbers of the society', there is no reason why this publication 

 should not find its way into a very largely increased number of 

 Minnesota homes. 



The following persons have been added to the life roll the past 

 year: Honorary — Kdson Gaylord, Nora Springs, la. Paid — Alfred 

 Terry, Slayton; Sheldon Evans, La Crescent; Mrs. Ida Thompson, 

 Duluth; Chas. F. Gardner, Osage, la. 



State Fair. — It was in}'- pleasure to serve the societ}' again this 

 year at the state fair, as heretofore, and I am happy to be able to 

 say that, with the very hearty co-operation which was given by our 

 inembers, the exhibit in our department was one of the best, and 

 probably the largest, that has evbr been at the fair grounds. This 

 result was attained in spite of the verj'^ low premiums which were 

 offered, and only because our society was desirous of sustaining its 

 reputation. We have assurance from some of the officers of the Ag- 

 ricultural Society that this discrimination against us will be reme- 

 dien before another fair, but it seems wise that during this session 

 we should take some notice of this situation and express our views 

 thereon with due emphasis. 



