S  ' - ANNUAL REPORT. 
*s 
failures, its fruits and flowers. Now the question naturally arises, 
what have we new to offer, and what have we learned in the past year 
that will add to our horticultural knowledge, and be of lasting ben- 
efit to ourselves as individuals, and to our Society, or the future 
welfare of Minnesota. This is the great question of to-day and for 
this meeting to discuss, and if possible, after a full comparing of 
notes and experiences with the different fruits, flowers and vegeta- 
bles, and different soils and modes of cultivation to answer by se- 
lecting the best, so that all may gain some knowledge or get some 
hints that may be of use to ourselves as well as others in the future. — 
It is for this purpose that we meet here to-day, and it is for this 
purpose that the Legislature of the State of Minnesota have pub- 
lished two thousand copies of our Transactions from year to year, 
so that our experience, our success and our failures, and our exper- 
‘iments may be made known to the public and not forgotten by our- 
selves. Consequently you do not come here to listen to lengthy 
addresses or flowry speeches. If you have any such expectation | 
you will be sadly disappointed if you expect anything of the kind 
from me. Ido not propose to take up your valuable time in that 
way, but to throw out a few hints in regard to our Society and our 
calling, both of which I hold to be not only of great importance to 
ourselves, but also to our State, and to those who shall occupy our 
places long after we are called to other, and may I not hope, better 
spheres, by the Great Author of our being and 
Our Calling, 
for, as I have before remarked to you in a former address, the Almighty 
planted the first garden, and planted man therein to tend and take 
care of it; so that we can see ours is not only the most ancient, 
but the most exalted and honorable of all occupations man can 
perform. God not only planted the first garden, but has by His 
sunshine and showers warmed and watered all that have ever since 
been planted. Now when we give this a serious thought, and that 
God is on our side, who shall prevail against us? And when we 
take into consideration that fruit is the only food that is prepared 
by nature ready to be consumed by the human family, who can 
doubt but that horticulture is not only the first but best employ- 
ment of men. And is it not a duty as well as a pleasure to do all 
‘in our power, both as individuals and as a Society, to improve and 
advance horticulture in all its branches? 
That advanced horticulture tends to elevate and enlighten, and 
