MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. AT 
withstanding the cold and backward spring of 1874, and the almost 
entire failure of most of our small fruits, the year 1874 had some | 
bright spots for horticulturists to note. The grape crop, although 
short, ripened up to perfection, and never before at our State Fair was 
there such a display of this luscious and best of all fruits, not by one or 
two, but from many and different parts of our State, showing plainly, 
if well and properly cared for, Minnesota need not send her money 
out of the State to purchase grapes at least, for better grapes were 
shown by Mr. Knapheide and Mr. Gould Harris and others thar. 
have ever been shipped here from our sister States south and east of 
us, and ahead of California grapes in flavor and eating qualities, and 
many species are rivaling them in appearance. 
FRUIT AND FLORAL DISPLAY AT THE STATE FAIR—NON-RECEIPT OF 
PREMIUMS. . 
Then the display of apples from different parts of the State were 
worthy of the pride and admiration of the State Horticultural Socie- 
ty ; also plums, pears and other fruits, and where shall I find words 
to express a just appreciation of the display of plants and flowers. 
Great credit is due our florists and fruit growers for the large and 
magnificent and well arranged display at our State Fair, a display 
which was a decided success in everything except our premiums, 
which have so far proved an entire failure, and for which failure the 
State Horticultural Society or its members are not responsible in 
the least. The most I will say in regard to our failure to receive 
our premiums is this: it was extremely unfortunate besides being 
very inconvenient, for the money due is not a large amount to the 
State at large, but to our poor horticulturists who so much needed it 
and had so honestly and fairly earned it, it would have proved a great. 
blessing, and have helped to carry us through this cold and long win- 
ter ; for you must remember that fruit growing and horticulture is the 
poorest paid of any occupation in our State as far as dollars anu 
cents are concerned, hence the $800 due our horticulturists are more 
to them, and would do them more good, than $80,000 would some 
other brances of industry. To illustrate this, I will say, I have now 
in my possession a letter, received from one of our very best and 
most intelligent, active horticulturists in the State, saying he cannot 
be present at this meeting, for the railroad fare would be $10 or $12 ; 
he has not a dollar left, but had he have received his premiums due 
from the State Fair he should have saved enough to have come with, 
and his desire to be with us is such, he said he would willingly saw 
wood to raise the money to come with, but he had been sick and was 
not yet able. I mention this to show how much good our premiums 
wouid haye done could we have got them, and how much depend- 
ence had been placed upon them. So far as I know this is only a 
fair sample of many other cases. 
THE DUTY OF HORTICULTURISTS—STATE AID REQUIRED. 
Now, as many advocate withdrawing from the State Agricultural 
Society Fair, and not exhibiting at the next State Fair, on account 
