92 ‘ ANNUAL REPORT. 
constant knowledge of what is going on and what improvements are 
being made, and by our presence show them that we take an inter- 
est in their success, and also show them by our displays what we 
are doing as individuals and as a Society. 
Progress, 
Can any one look back 25 years and see the prospects of fruit 
culture as I then saw them in Minnesota, and look at the crops of 
small and large fruits and vegetables of 1870 to 1875, and say that 
even in Minnesota we have made no progress? I think not, and 
have we not something to encourage us to move on and make an 
extra effort to make more improvement in the next 25 years than we 
did in the last, and shall we not, as a Society, make an effort through 
our able and efficient Secretary, together with our incoming Presi- 
dent, to make a display of our horticultural products next September 
at the reunion of the American Pomological Society in Philadelphia, 
that will be a credit to our State, our Society and to ourselves indi- 
vidually. In conclusion, let me return my heartfelt thanks for 
the kindness and courtesy you have shown me as well as honors 
conferred by three times electing me your President, and hoping 
you will forgive and forget my short comings, and believe me as ever 
devoted to Minnesota horticulture and the interest and advance- 
ment of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. While I surren- 
der my office to other and abler hands soon to occupy it, I remain as 
firmly devoted to the interest of the Society as ever, and that I may 
still be of some advantage and in some manner help the cause, will 
ever be my prayer while life shall last. 
DISCUSSION. 
Mr. Harris:—On behalf of the State Agricultural Society, I 
tender thanks for the encouragement and assistance received from 
the Horticultural Society the past year. But for it we should not 
have been able to meet our difficulties and to succeed as well as we 
did. 
Summer Meeting. 
Am in favor of the State University for holding a summe? meet- 
ing. There is a place to keep and to show fruits and other products. 
The State has made great progress in horticulture. There were 
s 
