30 ANNUAL REPORT. 
five Finland emigrants are at the Reception House in West Brainerd. 
Have written to the postmaster to have him obtain an interview with 
them and see if these statements were confirmed. I also wished to learn 
if some one could not bring out some scions. 
‘Would it not be proper to have the statements investigated, andif. wise, 
ask the Legislature to appropriate a sum sufficient to obtain ane fruits 
as are hardy in that extremely cold climate?” 
Moved that the communication be received =, placed’ on 
file to be embodied in the proceedings. 
The Secretary then read his annual report to the society. 
ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY OF THE STATE HOR- 
TICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Minnesota Horticultural 
Society: 
The official position in which I am placed by your favor | 
makes it my duty and privilege to address you at this time, 
reporting to you the progress we have made during the pagt 
year and the hopes and prospects of the future. 
THE LAST WINTER. 
The winter of 1872-73, for long continued and extreme cold 
storms and fierce winds, stands without a parallel in the his- 
tory of our State. During the autumn preceding, the rain- 
fall was very light, and was followed with but light falls of 
snow and hard freezing, that continued over most of the State 
until the 7th of January, when we experienced the most fear- 
ful snow and wind storm known within the memory of the 
oldest inhabitants, which continued for three days, and car- 
ried mourning and sorrow into many homes, and caused great 
loss and suffering to stock in the new and sparsely settled 
parts of the State. Previous to this storm the ground was 
frozen dry to the depth of three to five feet. The winter had 
set in earlier than usual, and but few farmers and gardeners 
had given proper mulching or protection to their trees and 
plants. The whole winter ranged extremely cold and the 
spring was rather backward, and a long drouth prevailed in 
some sections of the State. 
What do we witness as the result of these unfavorable influ- 
ences all combined in one year’s experience? Many orchards 
of great promise were ruined, and many others were seriously 
injured, while a very few were comparatively unharmed. 
With the view of drawing out as many facts as possible, 
to ascertain the extent of the injury, and the varieties of apples 
