MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 55 
the whole of this vast amount would be saved is not expected, 
but on the other hand, might we not expect, and with 
confidence, that a good and competent entomologist who could 
spend his time in studying our insects and the best méthods 
of exterminating them and disseminating such knowledge, 
could save many times his salary in each year? Take for 
instance the potato bug, and how many hundreds of thousands 
of dollars’ damage, if not millions, to our State has been done 
by this pest, and as entomology is a science, no man expects 
to make money out of it by his services unless in some way 
paid by the public. It is but just that he should be paid by 
the State, and the people of the State all receive the benefit. © 
CRANBERRY CULTURE. 
Again I would call your attention to the subject of Cran- 
berry culture, as one of vast importance to onr State. Believ- 
ing that we have many thousands of acres well situated 
for the cultivation of this, may I say, the best of all 
small fruits, I will say, without fear of contradiction, the 
most important of all small fruits, in a financial point of 
view. When we consider the fruit, when well ripened and 
perfectly handled, can be kept in its fresh state the year 
round, or longer, without canning or other expénse; and 
again, if properly packed, it bears shipment to distant mar- 
kets better than any other, and can be made to yield our State 
a large and steady income, as an article of export to distant 
markets. Even our wild fruit, picked from our marshes in 
their native state, has heretofore brought no small amounts 
of money to our State. This fruit improves by cultivation, 
and here as much as any other, if not more than most States. 
No one who saw the fine specimens of cultivated berries at 
our State Fair would really wish to produce the half-ripe and 
small wild fruit offered at our stores alongside of those cul- 
tivated. 
VEGETABLE GARDENS. 
Again permit me to call your attention to our vegetable 
gardens, which hitherto have received only neglect or a pass- 
ing notice at your hands. This branch of horticulture is a 
very important one, and I hope will, as it deserves, receive 
your careful attention. The flowers, of course, will not be 
overlooked, as they are in constant demand from the cradle 
to the grave. Another item suggests itself to my mind, and 
that is the importance of 
